The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, now known as the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, is one of the most captivating institutions in the city’s museum landscape. With over 35,000 artifacts and hundreds of interactive exhibits, it offers a unique, varied experience – from controlling a 40-foot tornado to exploring a German submarine from World War II. Since opening in 1933, the museum has inspired millions of visitors, immersing them in the worlds of science, technology, and engineering.

History of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago

The building that houses Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry has a rich and fascinating history. Constructed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts was designed by Charles B. Atwood for D.H. Burnham & Co. During the fair, the building showcased artworks from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, and metalwork. Unlike other “White City” structures built from temporary materials, the Palace of Fine Arts was constructed with a solid brick structure covered in plaster.

After the fair, the building initially housed the Columbian Museum, which evolved over time into the Field Museum of Natural History. When the Field Museum moved to a new location in 1920, the palace remained vacant until a public campaign led by professor Lorado Taft advocated for its restoration. The building was chosen as the site for a new science museum, funded by Julius Rosenwald, then-president of Sears, Roebuck, and Company, who donated over $5 million to the project.

Rosenwald envisioned a museum inspired by Munich’s Deutsches Museum, and in 1926, the Museum of Science and Industry was established. Although Rosenwald declined to have his name on the museum, his contribution was fundamental in transforming the palace. The building’s interior was completely renovated in an Art Nouveau style, and the exterior was reconstructed in limestone to retain its original 1893 appearance.

Over the years, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has become one of the city’s top tourist attractions, with countless exhibitions and activities that captivate visitors of all ages. Its cultural and scientific significance was celebrated again in 2024, when the museum officially adopted the name Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in honor of a record-breaking $125 million donation from billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin.

The Permanent Collection

The permanent exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago are designed to spark curiosity and interest in science through interactive and engaging experiences, making them perfect for younger visitors as well. The collection is truly vast; here are just a few of its most famous attractions.

Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze

This exhibit invites visitors to lose themselves in a complex mirror maze arranged to reveal the mathematical patterns in nature, particularly the golden ratio, known since ancient times. The exhibit explores these concepts with nearly 20 activities and over 30 artifacts.

YOU! The Experience

Another powerful exhibit: around 50 interactive installations explore the meaning of health and healthy living in the 21st century. Visitors can even use their own heartbeat to animate a 13-foot heart, climb on a human-sized wheel, and observe real human specimens that display the incredible complexity of the body!

U-505 Submarine

The U-505 submarine is one of a kind: it is the only German U-boat captured during World War II and one of only five remaining! Visitors can explore the submarine’s interior and immerse themselves in the history of this extraordinary military feat.

Temporary Exhibitions

In addition to its permanent exhibits, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago hosts a range of temporary and traveling exhibitions on various topics. These exhibits usually last five months or less and often require a separate ticket. Some of the most notable past exhibitions include:

• Titanic: The Exhibition, one of the largest collections of artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck.


• Body Worlds, an exhibition offering a unique view of the human body through plastinated human specimens.


• Game On, dedicated to the history and culture of video games.


• Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, exploring the imagined technologies of the cinematic universe in comparison with real science.


• The Science Behind Pixar, an exhibit providing a behind-the-scenes look at Pixar Studios' creative process.

Interactive Experiences and Activities

This Chicago museum is famous for its numerous hands-on activities that allow visitors to engage directly with science. Not only through exhibits but also through live science demonstrations, special events, and 3D screenings that further enrich the visitor experience.

Among the most popular experiences are:

• The Coal Mine: an interactive journey into the heart of a fully operational coal mine, offering insight into the technologies and risks involved in this type of extraction;


• The Tornado Experiment: visitors can control a 40-foot tornado and learn about the mechanics behind its formation and dynamics;


• The Digestive System Tour: an immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey through the human body, exploring how it functions.

Special Events and Future Projects

In addition to its exhibits and activities, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago hosts special events throughout the year, ranging from scientific conferences to educational programs for schools and families. The museum is also planning to create a cutting-edge digital gallery, the first of its kind in North America, made possible by Kenneth C. Griffin’s generous donation.

The future of Chicago’s museum looks promising, with new projects in the works to enhance the visitor experience and make science accessible to an even broader audience.

Hours and Tickets for the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

The museum is open daily, except for Christmas and Thanksgiving, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission prices for most attractions range from $25.95 for adults to $14.95 for children. Additional tickets are required for special exhibitions and events. Unfortunately, free admission days are exclusively available to Illinois residents.

Getting to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

The museum is located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood at 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, accessible by various means.



From the airport: from O’Hare Airport, a taxi or rideshare service will get you to the museum in 30 – 45 minutes, depending on traffic. From Midway Airport, the trip is shorter, around 20 – 30 minutes.

By car: head to the underground parking lot available at the building’s northwest corner, located at E. 57th Street and S. Cornell Avenue. There are also spaces for large vehicles and vans at a rate of $22.

By public transit: take the CTA Green or Red Line to the Garfield station, then transfer to bus no. 55 heading to Hyde Park. Alternatively, take the Metra Electric District train to 55th - 56th - 57th Street station, which is within walking distance of the museum.

In Conclusion

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in science and technology. With its unique blend of history, interactivity, and innovation, the museum offers unforgettable experiences that inspire curiosity and a love for learning in visitors of all ages. Among Chicago’s museums, the Griffin Museum stands out not only for the quality of its exhibits but also for its ongoing commitment to providing new learning and entertainment opportunities for all. It’s a place not to be missed when visiting the city.

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