Museum of Science and Industry

Planning Your Visit

What are your hours?

View the Museum's hours.

Does the Museum offer free days?

MSI offers 52 free days each year to Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency.

What is the Museum's Illinois Free Day schedule?

View the Museum's schedule of Illinois Free Days.

How do I get to the Museum?

Look at directions to the Museum.

Where can I get information on Chicago and where to stay while visiting the Museum?

See our Tourists page for hotel information, which features special offers that include Museum admission. Also, you can visit the Chicago Office of Tourism at choosechicago.com for details on hotels, restaurants and things to do in the Windy City.

Do active military personnel, firefighters, police officers or teachers get in free?

Active military personnel, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers and Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12th grade) can receive free general admission for themselves by showing a current I.D. when purchasing tickets.

Ticketing

Where can I purchase tickets?

To purchase tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry, you may buy them online, by phone at (773) 684-1414, or at the Museum's ticket counters. Purchasing in advance ensures that you can avoid lines and receive tickets for the Omnimax film or special exhibits you'd most like to see.

What are the system requirements for your online ticketing?

Our online ticketing requires Flash. Users of certain smartphones, tablets or devices who cannot use online ticketing should order by phone at (773) 684-1414 (option 3, then 1) during Museum hours.

If you are accessing our site on a Flash-enabled device and still cannot use online ticketing, please let us know by filling out our Ticketing Help form and note the device and operating system you are using.

What is your online ticketing fee?

Our processing fee for tickets purchased online is $1.50 per General Admission ticket.

I got an email from MSI. Is that my ticket?

The email is just to confirm your transaction, but it's not the ticket you will use at the Museum. If you did not print your ticket at the time of purchase, you should reprint your tickets from the My Account section of our website or bring identification to Will Call on the day of your visit.

How do I reprint my tickets?

You can reprint your tickets for upcoming visits by signing into My Account (at the upper right corner of our web pages, click on your name or "Sign In"). Once you have signed in, there is a quick link to Reprint Tickets on the main account page.

What if I couldn't print or have lost my ticket?

As long as your purchase was completed, your ticket is still in our system. You can reprint your tickets (see above) when your printer is working, or you may bring identification to the Museum's Will Call counter to have tickets reprinted there on the day of your visit.

I can't log into my account. How do I retrieve my account information?

Go to the account sign-in page and click "Forgot your password" to be sent an email with instructions for resetting your password.

I don't remember or can't access the email address I used for my account.

Check your records for MSI transaction confirmations. They would have been sent to the email address used for your account. If you can't find these emails, or no longer have access to the email address you used, please call (773) 684-1414 (option 3, then 1) for assistance.

I am unable to visit on the date for which I bought tickets. What is your exchange/refund policy?

Contact us at least one day in advance before the visit date on your tickets, and we will be able to change the date of your tickets. Tickets are non-refundable.

Groups and Field Trips

Does the Museum offer group discounts? How do I book a group?

Find out about group visits to the Museum.

Where can I find tips for planning a field trip for my class?

For helpful hints on planning a field trip to the Museum, visit our Field Trips page.

Where can I find other teacher resources?

The Museum's Education Division offers a variety of programs for middle school and high school students, as well as professional development opportunities and resources for educators. For information on teacher resources visit our Professional Development page or e-mail edinfo(at)msichicago.org with the specific content area and/or exhibit you would like resources for.

What are your resources for visits from home school families?

Your best place to start is our Home School Groups & Families page, which has information on admission policies, special Learning Labs, and tips for your visit. You can also sign up there for our quarterly home school e-newsletter.

At the Museum

Is photography allowed in the Museum?

Yes. Photos and videotapes for personal use may be taken inside the Museum, except in the Omnimax Theater and in certain special exhibits or presentations. Due to safety concerns, tripods are not allowed. Photos, videotapes or audiotapes for any other use require advance notice and the express prior written permission of the Museum's Public Relations Department.

Does the Museum have strollers and wheelchairs for rent?

Yes. They are available in the Entry Hall and in the Henry Crown Space Center. Stroller rental is $2 and wheelchairs are free. Both require a driver's license or I.D. To reserve a wheelchair in advance, contact the Coat Check at (773) 753-6862 or coatcheck(at)msichicago.org.

Your own stroller is permitted inside the Museum, except in certain exhibits where posted. For the safety of our guests, wagons are not permitted.

Is the Museum accessible to guests with disabilities?

Yes. The Museum's two primary guest entrances—through the Entry Hall (from both street level entrances and the underground garage) and at the Henry Crown Space Center—are wheelchair accessible, and elevators and ramps serve all public areas within the building. Segways are permitted in the Museum only when in use by individuals with disabilities as their chosen mobility device. Reasonable efforts have been made to eliminate or mitigate existing barriers to accessibility within the historic Museum buildings, and reasonable accommodations are made for guests with disabilities when physical conditions would otherwise prevent them from full access to a Museum exhibit or program. (See above for information on wheelchair rentals.)

Where can I store luggage or other items during my Museum visit?

The Museum's Coat Check is located in the Entry Hall. See our Amenities page for more details.

My child has food allergies. Are there allergy-free options for us in the Brain Food Court?

The Brain Food Court offers a variety of lunch options including salads, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, meat/fish "carvery station," grill favorites, soup, fruits and desserts. There are gluten/dairy/nut free options; please check with our food service staff to confirm any ingredients. You may also bring your own special-dietary-needs lunch to the Museum.

After Your Visit

How do I reach the Museum's Lost and Found?

Call the Museum's Coat Check at (773) 753-6862 or e-mail coatcheck(at)msichicago.org to inquire about a lost item. While at the Museum, visit the Coat Check in the Entry Hall. Items turned in to our Lost and Found will be kept for 60 days.

How can I purchase Museum merchandise?

If you forgot to pick up an Omnimax DVD, a fluffy chick or a plush Einstein while at the Museum, visit our online store. For a shopping experience that's beyond unique, visit The Big Idea, The Galaxy Shop or The Kid's Stop Shop at the Museum. They've got everything from the educational to the out-of-this-world!

Where do I order reprints of photos taken at Museum photo studios?

If you had pictures taken at one of the Museum's photo studios, such as at the U-505 exhibit, Yesterday's Main Street or a temporary exhibit, you can visit msichicago.org/photos to order reprints or other photo products.

About the Museum

How can I sign up for the Museum's e-newsletter?

Keep up with the latest Museum news! Use the form at the bottom of this page, or any page on the Web site, to subscribe to our e-newsletter.

Where can I find Museum press releases or talk to someone in the Public Relations Department?

By accessing the Museum's online press page.

How can I request a ticket donation from the Museum for our fundraiser?

See our Donation Requests page for details and requirements.