The 18 best science and space museums in Chicago

I have many fond memories of the museum of science and industry from when I was little. Now I take my 3 year old here. They redid the science exhibit and it is much better with new displays that are taken care of. The entrance is grand and welcoming. They still have lots of interactive activities to learn about the different areas of science. The only downside is not everything is so well taken care of. Many exhibits don't work and the ones that do aren't necessarily for younger kids. They do have a little kids area for younger kids, but you have to reserve a time to go. You can't just pop in... and they are a bit run down and worse for wear. I do love their Christmas trees around the world display. We did go on a weekday when I was on winter break. There was no line to get in at 12pm. I have gone on a weekend in the morning and there is a longer line, but we never waited more than 5 minutes to get our tickets. Sometimes it is easier to get tickets online and they may offer some discounts (not sure I never did it), but it definitely isn't necessary if you are coming on a whim.

Such a fun, interactive museum! My husband and I spent the day here and had an absolute blast. It is a very large museum, I highly recommend spending most of the day, so you can see everything. The museum itself was very clean, bathrooms were well stocked. Staff was very friendly, if you needed assistance. Love that stairways are color coded, makes it easier to navigate. The cafeteria area had a large selection of food, and decently priced. Will definitely come back, especially since they are always adding new exhibits. A few highlights were the Blue Paradox exhibit, the X-Ray exhibit, and of course, the captured German Subamrime from WW2. Hopefully this Museum continues to preserve history and teach about our world for generations to come.

A wonderful adventure! My boyfriend and I had an amazing time exploring the Museum of Science and Industry. We got our tickets through the CityPASS, which made entry super easy and convenient. The exhibits are interactive, fun, and educational — perfect for all ages. We especially loved the U-505 submarine and the Science Storms exhibit. You can easily spend several hours here without getting bored. The museum is well-organized, the staff is friendly, and there’s something new to discover around every corner. A must-visit attraction in Chicago!

This museum was such a vibe! I arrives at 1:30p and stayed until closing (4p). I actually wish I can’t earlier bc I was enjoying the exhibits so much. The staff was extremely welcoming and informative, from the ticket booth to security booth! The Spider-Man exhibit was well worth the $22. The history of character development and evolution of image was delivered well. They also offered a variety of displays from comics, murals, mannequins, drawings, etc. they even offered a mini Spider-Man gift shop— a bit overpriced but nice to browse. The train display was awesome too! They built mini cities of chicago and Seattle and I looooved it! The Space Needle! The building has a beautiful interior with color coded stairs. It’s in Hyde park which is where Obama’s family home is. Overall, a great way to spend the afternoon.

The museum was very interactive and huge. Took about 2 hours to walk through at I was there leisurely. If you're actually engaging with most of the displays, it could take up to 4 hours to get through it all. The food court was decent, definitely recommend to eat at home with the prices though. Only real critique was that some of the displays were outdated and could use some upgrades. Overall, very pleased.

Awesome Awesome place. 100% worth the price of admission, even paying the out of town rate. My family visits a fair amount of museums and this was one of the more impressive I have been to. The scale of everything is stunning! I had done all of the research for where to visit and brought my husband and 7-year-old daughter along for the ride, so seeing them be shocked to turn a corner and see a submarine, or space capsules was a heck of an experience. We spent an entire day and didn't even make it to the top floor. This place is a must visit when in town.

The Griffin Museum of Science & Industry is a standout destination for curious minds of all ages. Housed in the only surviving structure from the Chicago 1893 World’s Fair, it combines historical grandeur with cutting-edge interactive exhibits. Walking in, you’ll find a rich variety of hands-on experiences: you can descend into a recreated coal mine, step aboard a World War II German submarine, explore a full-scale 727 airplane, or marvel at the massive model railroad that traces a journey from Chicago to Seattle. The museum also showcases immersive galleries like the Henry Crown Space Center, “Science Storms,” and rotating exhibits that blend art, technology, and education. The staff are welcoming and knowledgeable, and there’s enough content to easily fill a half or full day. Many experiences are interactive, making it an ideal spot for families, school groups, or solo explorers. One thing to keep in mind: some exhibits or tours (e.g. the submarine or coal mine) may require additional tickets or scheduling. Also, the museum is currently undergoing a renovation to restore the original south entrance and improve accessibility. Overall, Griffin MSI delivers a compelling mix of history, science, and wonder. It’s not just a place to look — it’s a place to do, learn, and be inspired. Highly recommended when visiting Chicago.

Such a cool museum! This is a must go to in Chicago. The exhibits are in depth and there are so many fossils, you definitely don’t want to miss going here. Some of the exhibits are closed off unless you pay extra to go in but other than that the rest of the museum is open to wander. There’s also multiple cafeteria/restaurant areas to grab a bite to eat at. I went on a Sunday morning and it wasn’t crowded at all and I was able to cover most of the museum in a couple of hours. From bugs to dinosaurs, this museum has it all!

We visited The Field Museum in Chicago and had such a great time! We used the Chicago CityPASS, which made entry quick and easy — highly recommend it. The museum is massive and full of fascinating exhibits, so you can easily spend the whole day exploring. We only stayed for about 2.5 hours because of other plans, but there’s definitely enough to keep you busy for longer. The highlight for us was SUE the T. rex, an absolute must-see! The Ancient Egypt exhibit with mummies and artifacts was another favorite — super cool and well curated. The museum also has plenty of seating areas and clean restrooms, which make the visit comfortable. There are several food options available; we tried the bagel and burger — both were good, though nothing too special. The souvenir shops have a wide variety of items, perfect for gifts or keepsakes. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the place was very clean and organized. Another great perk of the CityPASS is that it includes one special paid exhibition for free, which adds even more value. Overall, The Field Museum is a must-visit Chicago attraction — educational, fun, and perfect for visitors of all ages!

🦖 My Visit to the Field Museum, Chicago The Field Museum of Natural History is a must-visit for anyone in Chicago! Located on the Museum Campus near Lake Michigan, it’s one of the largest natural history museums in the world, offering a fascinating journey through the planet’s past and present. The museum’s star attraction is Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered — it’s absolutely awe-inspiring! I also enjoyed the Evolving Planet exhibit, which traces life on Earth from the earliest organisms to modern species. Other highlights include Ancient Egypt, with its beautifully preserved artifacts and mummies, and Cultural Halls, which explore the traditions and lives of people from around the world. The museum is very well-organized, with informative displays, interactive stations, and knowledgeable staff who make the visit engaging for both adults and children. 📍 Tips for Visitors: • Buy tickets online to skip the queue. • Allocate at least 3–4 hours for a complete experience. • Don’t miss the Inside Ancient Egypt and Evolving Planet exhibits. • Combine your visit with nearby Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium for a full Museum Campus day. Overall, the Field Museum is an educational, fun, and awe-inspiring destination — perfect for families, students, and anyone fascinated by history, science, and culture. 🏛️✨

The Field Museum is one of the most impressive natural history and culture museums I have ever visited. The exhibits are beautifully curated, covering everything from ancient civilizations to the wonders of nature and evolution. Sue the T. rex is an absolute must see and truly breathtaking. The museum’s scale and attention to detail make it easy to spend hours exploring without realizing how much time has passed. A perfect destination for anyone who loves history science and discovery.

Had a fantastic time. Very fast entry. We paid for all the extra exhibits and it was well worth it. The staff members were super friendly especially inside the exhibits. They would come up and give us facts about what we were looking at. We ate lunch there and the cafe prices were a little high but well worth it. Highly recommend for any trip to Chicago.

The Field Museum is an absolutely amazing experience in Chicago. There is so much to see, from Sue the T. rex to the expansive cultural exhibits, you could easily spend an entire day getting lost in history and science. The sheer scale and quality of the collection are breathtaking. We stopped for lunch inside, which was expensive, costing $90 for four people, but given the entire day of incredible exploration and learning, the overall cost was very much worth it. This is a must-visit destination for anyone in the city.

By far the best natural history museum we have ever been to! There are so many original artifacts and such a huge variety - it definitely takes longer than a day to get a good look at everything on display. It was also cool getting to see the world's most complete T-Rex as well as one of the 13 archaeopteryx fossils ever found.

🌌 My Visit to Adler Planetarium, Chicago Visiting the Adler Planetarium was a truly out-of-this-world experience! Located on Chicago’s Museum Campus with stunning views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline, it’s America’s first planetarium and a must-visit for anyone interested in astronomy and space science. Inside, the planetarium offers a mix of interactive exhibits, immersive sky shows, and fascinating educational displays. I especially enjoyed the Definiti Sky Theater — the full-dome experience makes you feel like you’re floating through space among stars, planets, and galaxies. The hands-on exhibits on planets, satellites, and space exploration were engaging and perfect for all ages. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, eager to explain cosmic phenomena and guide visitors through the exhibits. I also loved the historic instruments on display that show how astronomers studied the skies in the past. 📍 Tips for Visitors: • Buy tickets online to skip the line. • Plan at least 2–3 hours to fully explore exhibits and attend a sky show. • Don’t miss the Sky Tonight presentation for a real-time guided tour of the night sky. • Bring a camera for the spectacular views of the Chicago skyline from the planetarium grounds. Overall, the Adler Planetarium is both educational and awe-inspiring — a perfect destination for families, science enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the universe. 🌠🔭

Great planetarium. Two dome theaters with constant showings. I recommend the skyline live one, as it is interactive and unique to Chicago. Cosmic Cafe had really lovely food and drink. Exhibits have interactive elements that are great for young and old. The grounds outside are perfect for seeing the Chicago skyline and getting quality pics.

Movies are about 40 minutes long. Parking in a lot is $25. You can do street parking which is cheaper, maybe $10 but you have to arrive early. Spots get taken quick. A great view as well.

We visited the Adler planetarium on a weekend around 2 pm and our 9 year old daughter loved it! We went to couple of shows and also visited other exhibits. Wish we had more time since the planetarium closed (early) at 4 pm , so my recommendation is to go early when you’re going there on a weekend.

The Adler Planetarium is one of the best spots in Chicago to learn and be amazed at the same time. The sky shows are a must, the exhibits are interactive and fun, and the views of the lake and skyline are worth the trip alone. Some parts feel more geared toward kids, but overall it’s a great place for families, couples, or anyone curious about space.

Buying tickets was confusing. You can't buy a ticket to just a show you have to buy the museum entrance as well. The cafeteria had surprisingly good food. The show was cool, but I only really recommend going to it with kids. They'll have a blast.

We saw a few exhibits then watched a short film in the domed theater room. It was good visit. Oh!!! As we walked up we were directed around the corner to see holes on the suns surface. The man there explained the magnetic field that caused the holes and how the temperature inside the field was drastically different the temperature right outside of it. See those holes in the sun, and him explaining what I saw was my favorite part about this visit.

We visited Shedd Aquarium in Chicago last July and had a really nice experience! We used the Chicago CityPASS, which made entry easier, but note that reservations are required — we booked about a month in advance. We got the earliest time slot, which helped avoid large crowds, though there was still a short line when we arrived about 15 minutes before opening. The aquarium is clean, well-organized, and perfect for families with kids. There’s a wide variety of marine animals and exhibits, from colorful fish to penguins and jellyfish. We also watched the Penguin 4D documentary — it was okay, not amazing but still a fun experience. There are food options inside, though we didn’t try them during our visit. We stayed for about 2.5 hours, but you could easily spend longer if you explore everything. My only small wish is that there were more seating areas for resting between exhibits. Overall, Shedd Aquarium is an interesting and educational place to visit in Chicago — great for both adults and kids!

🐠 My Visit to Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Visiting the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago was an unforgettable experience — a perfect blend of education, entertainment, and wonder. Located along Chicago’s Museum Campus, the aquarium is home to thousands of aquatic species from around the world, from colorful tropical fish to majestic sharks, sea turtles, and playful penguins. The Oceanarium is a highlight, where you can see dolphins, beluga whales, and sea otters in action. The Amazon Rising exhibit transported me to the heart of the rainforest, showcasing exotic freshwater species in an immersive environment. I also loved the Caribbean Reef and the Wild Reef exhibits, which offer stunning views of coral reefs and vibrant marine life. The aquarium is very visitor-friendly with clear signage, interactive displays, and feeding sessions that make the experience engaging for both adults and children. The 4D Experience Theater adds an extra layer of fun, bringing marine adventures to life with sights, sounds, and motion effects. 📍 Tips for Visitors: • Purchase tickets online to skip the queue. • Plan at least 2–3 hours to explore the main exhibits. • Don’t miss the daily animal presentations and feeding shows. • Visit early in the day to avoid peak crowd times. Overall, the Shedd Aquarium is a world-class destination for anyone fascinated by marine life — educational, fun, and truly awe-inspiring. 🐬🌊

I came to Shedds aquarium before when I was a kid and the new exhibits were great. It took me a bit of time to find my way to the different floors. The elevators did not stop at every level and there was no single staircase that went to every floor. I was able to catch the dolphin show and it was great to see the dolphins jump. I enjoyed seeing the arapaima in the rainforest section. We sat and wanted the penguins for a good while too. I was happy to find the menu I found online was not complete which meant the person in my group with a wheat allergy had a few more options than I had expected.

I was completely amazed by the Shedd Aquarium! The diversity of underwater life is stunning 🌊 they have everything from beluga whales, dolphins, and penguins to sharks, sea otters and countless species of colorful fish and corals 😍 Keep in mind this place is huge, so definitely plan for several hours or even half a day, you don't want to rush it. I loved every minute! 🐬

Shedd Aquarium is fantastic. I hadn’t been here for years, and I had forgotten how grand the entrance room is, although I’m always making a beeline to see the fish and other creatures, so possibly I just missed it. Glad I took a moment to admire it this visit. The employees went above and beyond. I hadn’t bought tickets ahead of time, but it was fast and easy to get tickets at one of the kiosks in a little building just before the entrance. I went on a Monday afternoon, so it might make sense to buy tickets ahead of time on a busier day.

If you could only visit one attraction in Chicago, which would it be? If it was the Shed Aquarium, it would be a grand day. I have been blessed to be able to visit the Shed countless times over the years. Growing up it was always exiting to hear, “we are going to the Shed Aquarium”. Ah to reminisce on the feeling of wandering the Shed as a kid, with no real world responsibilities on your mind. As an adult, I was reminded of how other worldly it can be. You really can imagine a different world where everything glows. And you wonder what else exists in that world!! In my last visit, I was cycling the Illinois shoreline, and stoped in just because I had the time. And needed a rest. It was the best cycling break. I would suggest to the public to considered the museum campus for momentary visits, not just as day outings. It feels cathartic for me to pause for a moment where we habitually don’t get to visit. Especially on your own, it’s exciting. I do have one question for the Shed. After observing the motion of a variety of sea life, I left wondering how does each wildlife in the water experience tripping differently? Or are the symptoms the same for all water life?

We went to the Shedd Aquarium and honestly had such a good time. The exhibits are awesome — the big reef tank with the diver feeding the fish was super cool, and the Wild Reef section (with sharks and that huge sawfish) was my favorite. The dolphin presentation was way more educational than cheesy, which I appreciated, and we took a ton of photos. The tickets are a bit expensive, but overall we had a blast and would absolutely go again…

This was such a beautiful place. I’m not sure why I hadn’t been any sooner. It was like the DuPage children’s museum but for nature when you enter on the lower level, they had a really cool ecosystem or irrigation exhibit that the kids loved playing in the water, there’s three levels the butterfly garden I believe is on level two so many different animals not in the sense of a zoo, but in terms of nature, turtles snakes, etc. the butterfly garden was beautiful. It was huge and we saw quails in there as well. I’ve never seen them in person. There is a bus that you can take all the way down, but I booked spot here and walked about 5 to 7 minutes and it’s right across the street from Lincoln Park zoo.

We loved the butterfly house and the portion with the turtles abs frogs. Taxidermy projects were interesting. Lots of interacting things for kids to do. Right next to North Pond if you want to take a leisurely walk after the museum. Lots of turtles in North Pond. Staff was not very interactive.

Great for kids. They have a lot of stuff to touch and play areas for kids under 7, with a toddler area for kids under 2. Water play as well. Very informative about local wildlife, they had someone doing taxidermy you can talk with as theyre working. Secret forest (kids area) was closed for a private event but they had another we could play in.

My Five year old and her baby sister loved it. But I don't know if it would be interesting enough when they get older. The butterfly scanning exhibit was their favorite. I'd be careful walking into the playground room, because everyone trips when going in.

I come here with my boys as often as possible (oldest is 4 1/2y). Always a fun time! Several distinct play spaces and two separate water play areas. The permanent displays are always fun to walk through and the downstairs reptiles and amphibians always keep the boys entertained. The butterfly garden upstairs is incredible, especially during the winter it's such a great spot to feel like you're outside and warm. There's a large gallery on the 2nd floor that changes every few months, and it's always excellent. Sometimes it's more play oriented, sometimes more live animal (like the large reptile exhibit a while back), and sometimes more art gallery. Today, it's a very cool combo of exhibits, the highlight being a spot to color butterflies, digitally scan the coloring paper, and the butterfly comes to life on the wall. One of the coolest combinations of hands on craft and tech and art. Overall, highly, highly recommend. It's definitely heated towards younger kids, but there's still something there everyone would enjoy!

There's a wonderful butterfly greenhouse, and they even have butterfly release times. Thousands of beautiful butterflies flutter around you. You can stroll around looking for them, or sit down and enjoy them.

A really great place to bring kids. The museum has interactive play areas, some live animals, taxidermy, and outdoor spaces as well. Best of all the butterfly sanctuary has many species of butterflies and even some birds. They do daily butterfly releases at 2pm

The museum not big, but packed with information! You can stroll through in less than an hour or you can dive deeper and spend there hours. It’s packed with interesting information. Worth a visit! Ticket price on higher end, but it’s justified.

It's an amazing museum that documents surgical sciences throughout the ages with highlighted exhibits as well. For the size of the museum, $25 is a little steep, so see if you are eligible for any of their discounts before you come. We visited in September on a warm day and there was air conditioning in most of the rooms. The museum is in a converted town home or club with marble floors and staircases. The staff are very nice and helpful. There is a fun gift shop on the first floor.

Where do I begin?! If you are in any way interested in the human body and healthcare, this is the museum for you! I came with my best friend and 12 year old, and we spent a solid two hours exploring the museum. I’ve been in health care for over 20 years and I still learned so much about how we got to where we are today. Absolutely fascinating museum, that my daughter actually enjoyed and talked about even after we left, something she hasn’t really done with other museums. Definitely check it out!

The International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago is an exceptional institution that beautifully traces the evolution of surgery, anaesthesiology, and medical innovation through centuries. The museum houses a fascinating collection of portraits, instruments, manuscripts, and videos that vividly depict the transformation of surgical practice from ancient to modern times. The sections on ophthalmic surgery, gynaecology, and general surgery are particularly well curated, and several displays highlight international collaborations, including surgical developments from Taiwan and other global institutions. The gallbladder stone exhibits and anatomical models are very impressive and educational. The museum’s overall presentation is engaging and thoughtfully arranged, with a souvenir shop that offers quality medical-themed collections for visitors. As an Ayurveda Surgeon trained in Indian Medicine, I was deeply inspired by the museum’s breadth. However, I felt that the exhibits could be further enriched by including a section on ancient Indian surgical science, especially the monumental contributions of Acharya Sushruta (Father of Surgery). His pioneering techniques in general surgery, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, ENT, and obstetrics laid the foundation for many modern surgical principles. Including these aspects would truly make this museum a more global and inclusive representation of surgical heritage. Overall, this museum is a must-visit for students, medical professionals, and anyone interested in the global history of healing and surgery. It was a thoroughly enriching experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Chicago. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) ⸻ About the Founder The museum was founded by Dr. Max Thorek (1880–1960), a visionary Hungarian-American surgeon who also established the International College of Surgeons (ICS) in 1935 in Geneva, later headquartered in Chicago. His goal was to foster international cooperation among surgeons and to preserve the history of medical progress. In 1950, the ICS acquired the historic Countiss Mansion on Lake Shore Drive, which became the home of this museum. It officially opened to the public in 1954. Dr. Thorek contributed rare manuscripts, letters, and over 5,000 volumes of medical literature, making the museum one of the world’s finest repositories of surgical heritage. His vision was to enrich humanity’s understanding of surgical development and the healing arts worldwide — a dream that continues to be realized through this remarkable institution. In the same spirit, representing the Ayurvedic surgical tradition of India, I felt proud to see surgery’s universal evolution displayed here — and equally hopeful that future exhibits will also highlight India’s profound contributions through Sushruta and Ayurveda’s surgical legacy.

This was a really fun time. Its in a historic building and it suits the museum really well. Learned lots of interesting things about surgical history and the advancement of medicine throughout the ages. Even seeing things that I am already aware of in my job. I also love the art exhibits that they have with the theme of medical history

Informative, interesting, and worthwhile experience. This museum in my opinion is curated and designed for the general public. Lots of general surgical history, displays, and anatomical and medical art. As someone who works in healthcare I did feel that I wanted more. For example, more about specific surgical techniques and how they developed.

Pretty interesting exhibits. Could be done up a bit. The top floor is a mishmash of random stuff which needs a thoughtful redo. The staff interaction was good. In general the exhibits need an update.

I visited the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum around 10:00 AM, unsure if there would be a bridge lift event that day. Fortunately, Josh was incredibly helpful and explained that the bridge lift was likely to happen between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Thanks to his clear and thoughtful communication, I was able to return around noon and witness the fascinating bridge lift in person! Inside the museum, there’s a great exhibit that explains the mechanics behind the bridge and offers rich insight into its history and cultural significance. I especially appreciated the short “intel” session before the event, which included a sound signal (a ring) that helped me anticipate the exact moment to start taking photos. Overall, I highly recommend the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Josh’s outstanding communication made my visit truly memorable. Thanks again, Josh!

Visited May 2025. Entrance is free of charge but you can (as I did) give a donasjon. Was greeted by three very friendly people, had a nice little chat with them, they showed me some cool old pictures of the bridge/river on the PC and i also got recommendation about another attraction outside of Chicago. It’s a self-guided tour spread across four levels (if I remember correctly). Access is only by stairs, which might be challenging for some visitors. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of interesting information displayed on boards throughout the site. Very nice with all the openings at each level where you have view towards the river, bridge etc. Entrance and exit is the same, so you will have to walk back down again to exit.

An awesome somewhat hidden free museum that allows you to see the workings of the Michigan Street lift bridge and climb the tower, reading about the history of the river on horn way up. And on the top floor you are greeted with great views of the river, Wrigley building, and Michigan avenue. Great way to learn some history

I had a great time at the museum! Our guide Vivian was very helpful and knowledgeable and the exhibits were really extensive for such a small space. We appreciated the great hospitality and excitement from another guide Mitchell who showed us around the counterweight. He was super knowledgeable about all the bridges in Chicago!!

Nice boutique museum educating the historical events that shaped the Chicago river. Free but donations are recommended

Despite being in the heart of downtown Chicago, the Bridgehouse Museum is easy to miss, but passing by it would be a mistake. I found the mechanisms and history behind the Chicago river bridges very fascinating. Additionally, the staff was very informative and welcoming of visitors.

I have walked or driven by this tiny museum thousands of times in my life without realizing that it existed. We happened to notice it following the Duck Derby Race along the riverwalk. Our family enjoyed learning how the bridges work and the history of the Chicago River. It was educational and entertaining. It doesn't cost anything, but a donation is recommended. Plan to climb some stairs - it's on 4-5 levels inside the bridge tower.

I enjoyed the art gallerie, i just wished there was a second floor with more art. It's just one floor of art and art displays. I wanted more art. Well overall it was a great experience the staff and security were good no complaints. Love that it's free admission plus it's a good small art gallerie. Go check them out if in the area. There one block from the Cultural Center so u can't miss it. 🖼❤️

Extremely underwhelmed by this ‘design center’. It felt like a half-abandoned place where young kids scribbled around and left the place untidy. Design Museum of Chicago, you can do better.

Design Museum of Chicagos gallery on 6/27 was the best activity we stumbled upon. so many talented artists standing proudly next to their evoking pieces. 10/10 recommend

They made us leave fifteen minutes before closing so they could lock up and go home early. Blatant abuse of their responsibilities. Exhibits were interesting but security guard and ‘engineer’ were rude, entitled and completely self interested. I was appalled.

Pretty poor. Imagine it must be better with an exhibition. Exhibit space smaller than a subway. 5mins there couldn't be filled...

Great gallery space! I went with a friend for On the Precipice -- a lot of the works on display had little to do with design in a functional sense, but used the space well and were interesting + well treated by the commentary on the labels. The staff were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable. Great place to stop in, and I'm excited to start popping in regularly for other exhibits!

Although the museum was super small since it was basically about the size of one exhibit at a moderately-sized museum, the museum had some eye-pleasing and interesting artwork to see especially the ones involving typefaces and principles of design. It gave off a vibe of an architecture major.

This was a great little museum! When you arrive, it looks like a massive building, perhaps a former factory or residential complex. But the museum only occupies a small part of the basement, basically four rooms. It's free for teachers, including college professors. You can see the whole museum in under an hour. There's interesting info about the founding of the city, digging canals, the disaster where a boat capsized in the river, a shipwreck of a steamboat in lake Michigan and the story of how it was found 130 years later by scuba divers.

A fairly small but informative museum. I especially enjoyed reading about the first African American sailor to circumnavigate the globe around the Capes, Bill Pinkney - what an inspiration. I also enjoyed the section with the focus on minority/women/LGBTQ+ sailing endeavors, as well as the paintings by the African American artist whose name escapes me. Hopefully someday the museum will be able to expand. Even Detroit [Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle] and Toledo [National Museum of the Great Lakes] have significantly larger maritime museums. Come to think of it, even the small town of Alpena, Michigan has a significantly larger space [Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center]. But I get it! These things take time, and I believe this museum is in its infancy. Hope to hear about an expansion someday. There is a benefit to it being small… you can stop in and spend 1-2 hours [3 if you ready every item, I would guesstimate] rather than half a day. Also, shout out that they give Veterans/Active Duty free admission. Thank you!

This museum is a hidden gem! The exhibits cover a wide range of Chicago history and a variety of topics, from key figures and native roots to tragic accidents and WWII training. The exhibits are very well-crafted and thorough. The museum was almost empty when my family went on a Tuesday at lunchtime. The staff was very friendly and the curator was eager to answer questions. The only issue we experienced was the loud sounds of someone moving a dolly on the floor above.

Incredible museum in a stunning building! The Chicago Maritime Museum is a fantastic history museum and the staff was delightful. I learned so much about the history of the city and the Great Lakes. 10/10 recommend the museum and checking out the entire building - especially the city views on the 5th floor!

I didn't get a chance to go it, however I 'window shopped' and what I saw seemed very interesting. I'll definitely come back to tour this Museum. I didn't know it was here.

VERY small museum. Worth seeing if you want to learn more about Chicago's history and are in the area.

This quaint yet dense museum explores the history of Chicago and its waterways I would definitely recommend it if you want to go too a museum but don't want the hustle and bustle of The Field Museum or The Museum of Science and Industry

The most friendly parish in Chicago! The Pastor is very open and accessible. I recommend it!

This church is full of life! It is always, or almost always open. There are different active groups. Lots of families and youth. Great annual parish celebration with great music. Pastor happy to go visit the sick at their homes or at the hospital, do confession. I don't see that often.

I’ve been a member if the church for a while and I also live nearby, now I am being rejected from entering the park because the rules have changed apparently and it will only be for students. What about the students of catholics schools who go to public school parks? What about the whole summer vacation that kids will be at home and the park will just be closed and send kids away? Don’t understand how we go to church and give donations as a member of the parish to maintain these churches open. I am so upset, that my kid came home upset turned down from going in to play.

Queen of the Universe parish is where I've prayed for 35 years. It is a very small church hidden within a school. The name has recently changed to Mary, Mother of Mercy Parish. It is a peaceful place to go to think about God and your life. Some masses are in Spanish

Queen of The Universe is a small Catholic church. It is a comfortable environment for prayers and meditation. The people are friendly and they have many outreach programs.

Beautiful Parish Community and Spiritual

It's the most friendly, spiritual and peaceful church that I found. Everyday there are mass in Spanish and English...and confessions....and differents spiritual groups.

This place is so much fun! The prices are very affordable. There are several shelves of three dollar paperbacks and a nice children's section. I did not have a problem finding books to buy. There's also a generous punch card system - spend $50 and get $5 off. Much better than Half Price Books or Barnes & Noble. If I were a local, I would definitely be a frequent customer. But, I plan on coming back! Buy used! Buy local!

Great bookstore. Steve was very helpful and selection is bigger than it looks. If I were a local tot his area I'd be back frequently.

The best–and they support the community!! Great store, great employees, and great books! I’ve been a fan for a long time but they recently sealed the deal by donating a copy of the novel Moby Dick to my kids’ high school for the lit club’s 24-hour, marathon live reading of Moby Dick. A great event made even more enjoyable due to their kind donation–thanks! Glad to have this merchant in our hometown.

I went to give away books that I had read, and they were pretty good books in great shape. I did not even want money I return. Just did not want the books wasted. (See my photo) Strangely the bookstore wouldn’t even look at it because the owner was not there, and only the owner buys because they have a ‘full inventory’. The owner was not reachable by phone either 🤷‍♂️ It was a waste of a trip for me. Their art and architecture section was pretty limited too, for my interests. The place is much smaller than shown in photos.

This is a great little hidden gem. The owner, Steve, is super friendly and I love that he's always reading a different book. He has a great selection of sci-fi and mystery books as well as $5 used classic paperbacks. I've gotten some really cool books I've enjoyed from here. Thanks for your hospitality, Steve!

Very cool bookstore. Great place to just hang out and spend hours browsing. Owner is very friendly and helpful. He was excited to show the signed books and talk about why they were special. Definitely worth the visit.

One of my top 3 favorite used bookstores in the Chicago area. Love the selection and the fun pull a coupon from the basket days 📚

It's not a big museum, but there are some interesting things there. It's free, but I recommend booking a visit in advance so you don't have to wait.

A great place to explore behavioral economics. The whole interactive exhibition takes about 45min to look around and think deep. Highly recommend for passersby near loop. Remember to register in advance.

Fun and quick! You're likely already near this interactive experience so just go ahead and pop in! It was informative, interactive, and thought provoking. Easy visit - can spend an hour or less or more if you decide to participate in any research. You can make a reservation in advance if it's a popular time of year but we were able to walk in without a wait.

Very nice! The staff was super friendly and the exhibits were fun and mind opening. We also did an interesting study that kept me reflecting about. Also won some lama stuffed animals for our baby as a thank you for participating. Great afternoon :)

Stopped in on Friday with my mom while in town for a concert. I'd wanted to go here the last time I was in Chicago but hadn't had time. It's free and the people working were friendly and explained everything. The actual exhibits are interesting but that part took us maybe 30 minutes at most and none were anything I hadn't known before in some capacity. Mom and I both signed up to do research and this is where I was disappointed. I had been excited to earn enough points for a sweatshirt that day but for me, they only had one survey available and for my mom they had nothing. For that I earned 900 points (need 2000 for a sweatshirt). They were setting up a VR one and had said it would take another 20 minutes but after they had software issues my mom and I went to cash out points since we had limited time and I asked if there was any way I could outright buy a sweatshirt and I was told no but they could check a point donation pool - however the person checking me out had to go get someone to help load my points and by the time that was done I think they had forgotten to check the point pool or had nothing and neglected to tell me. Unfortunately all I got was a couple cute keychains and one of the brains. I wish there was a way to purchase an item outright, at least the clothing ones :( i live three hours away so it's not like i was going to be able to come back soon to get more points. I understand these survey options are probably limited but I did expect more.

We stumbled upon this place while walking down Michigan Avenue, and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The interactive activities were engaging and enjoyable for everyone. It was a fun and educational experience that’s appropriate for all age groups.

Mindworks is a great (and free) find. It is a "museum" that it provides interesting, fun, real-life examples of behavioral science principles (with explanation) and offers visitors the opportunity to participate in behavior science research projects. The space is small, but packed with a few interesting things to see and do, and the staff is knowledgeable and informative. It is a great introduction to the world of behavioral science (the study of human behavior) that can be enjoyed in less than one hour.