With your health and safety as our top priority, we’ve made some changes to create additional time and space for everyone. Here are important things to know when preparing for your visit.

Reserve your tickets online.

We have greatly reduced our daily capacity, and all Museum guests—including members—must reserve timed-entry tickets to enter. Book your tickets in advance to reserve your preferred date and time with fast and contactless admission when you arrive.

Plan ahead and check availability.

We are open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. With daily capacity limited, some visit dates may have already sold out.

Wear a face covering.

Face coverings over the nose and mouth are required for all guests ages 2 and older, along with all MSI staff and volunteers. Masks with vents are not permitted.

More in our FAQs

Follow physical distancing measures.

Please maintain at least six feet of space between your group and other guests throughout the Museum, including the Entry Hall, exhibit galleries, stores, dining areas, elevators and bathrooms.

Get hands on… with a stylus. 

You’ll be given a disposable rubber-tipped stylus after your tickets are scanned. Use the stylus (not your finger) to touch any screens or buttons in exhibits.

Reschedule if you are not feeling well or not sure.

Please stay home if you are sick, experiencing potential COVID-19 symptoms, think you may have been exposed, or have within the past 14 days been to states affected by the Chicago Emergency Travel Order. Our Call Center is ready at (773) 684-1414 to help you rebook.

Review food options for your visit.

We have grab-and-go food and beverages available to purchase at the Museum Café. You may also bring your own food (see FAQs about storage). Face coverings may be removed while actively eating when seated in designated areas, and for momentary drinking from water bottles elsewhere.

• We’ve limited daily capacity for less waiting and more space.
• Timed-entry tickets are now required so we can manage the flow of guests into the Museum.
• Physical distancing measures have been implemented throughout the Museum.
• Some exhibits and experiences have been modified to create physical distancing, increase movement and reduce contact. A few experiences where these measures aren’t immediately possible have been temporarily closed. They include The Idea Factory, Future Energy Chicago, and tours inside the Coal Mine and inside the U-505 submarine (the U-505 Submarine exhibit remains open).

Other measures we’re taking

• All Museum employees submit a daily health assessment and must stay home if they are sick.
• Rigorous cleaning procedures have been implemented.
• High-touch surfaces in the Museum are disinfected with CDC-approved products at least once an hour.
• Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the Museum.
• Air conditioning is running consistently to keep humidity and circulation at recommended levels.
• Water fountains have been turned off for the health of our guests. Guests may bring their own water bottles, or bottled water can be purchased in a number of locations.