Here's the deal on free day at Museum of Science and Industry

Here’s the deal on free day at Museum of Science and Industry

POSTED BY
Carol

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Here’s the deal on free day at Museum of Science and Industry. Here’s what you get (and don’t get) at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr., 773-684-1414 on free day. All free museum days.

Due to Covid-19 many exhibits are closed, access is limited, hours have changed and other rules apply. More info here: Museum of Science and Industry reopening

Whats open and closed as of 3/6/2021

Many exhibits have been modified or adapted to create physical distancing, including reduced capacity in the Giant Dome Theater. Tours inside Coal Mine and on-board the U-505 submarine are suspended. The U-505 Submarine exhibit is open. The Idea Factory and Future Energy Chicago exhibits are closed.

CTA 10 bus

Every year the CTA 10 bus begins service from Michigan Avenue to Museum of Science & Industry, from Memorial Day thru Labor Day, only.

Illinois Resident Free Day admission

Here’s the deal on free day at Museum of Science and Industry – You do not get access to any of the following:

Giant Dome Theater
U505 Tour on board – Closed due to Covid
Wow Tour – Closed due to Covid
Coal Mine – Closed due to Covid
Fab Lab – Closed due to Covid
Future Energy – Closed due to Covid

Cost of special exhibits

To get access to any special exhibit costs $12 each per adult and $9 each per child. You can purchase tickets for these special exhibits at the ticket kiosk or you can wait until you get to the exhibit and buy a ticket at a smaller kiosk directly outside the exhibit. If the museum is busy and you wait to buy tickets they could be sold out. Here’s information about all exhibits. You can also buy packages to see multiple special exhibit. Info. here.

Plenty of free exhibits to see in one day

The U505 is a must see and the on-board tour is very interesting. The coal mine is very unique although lines can be long. The WOW Tour gives you insight into the museum. The “free” exhibits are excellent and interesting and would take you several days to get through. The MSI has over 400,000 square feet of exhibit space so it isn’t possible to see everything in one day. You should plan ahead and decide what you want to cover.

Other info:

There’s only one set of elevators to move between floors located next to the “red stairs” so plan on taking a lot of stairs.
There’s an escalator between Main Level 2 and Balcony Level 3 located on the west side of the floors.

The P3 parking level is on the same level as ticket sales.
The U505 and Coal Mine are very popular so try to conquer these early.
The Zephyr is located behind the ticket counter in the entry hall.
You can purchase food or bring your own in discretely. There are designated eating areas. You can also picnic outside in Jackson Park (where the museum is located).

If you exit the museum on the east by the Giant Dome Theater in the Henry Crown Space Center turn left and walk up to just north of 57th Street you can walk through an underpass under Lake Shore Drive to 57th Street Beach. This beach has a beach house, restrooms, and food concession stand Tasty Grill (no website).
Brain Food Court