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Adler Planetarium

HistoryScienceClosed · Opens 4pmFrom $25Roosevelt (CTA Red, Orange & Green lines)

Opened in 1930 as the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, the Adler sits at the tip of Northerly Island on Chicago's Museum Campus, in a twelve-sided Art Deco rotunda by Ernest A. Grunsfeld Jr. Three theatres — including the immersive Grainger Sky Theater — run live and recorded dome shows, while the galleries trace humanity's attempts to read the sky. Its collection of roughly 8,000 objects includes the Mensing Collection, the largest holding of historic scientific instruments in the Western Hemisphere, alongside the Gemini 12 capsule and Jim Lovell's personal spaceflight archive. The lakefront terrace offers one of the best skyline panoramas in the city.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

Nearest station: Roosevelt (CTA Red, Orange & Green lines), Museum Campus/11th Street (Metra Electric), Bus #146 Museum Campus stop

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Hours

Closed 19 September

Closed (special closure)

Mon09:00–16:00
Tue09:00–16:00
WedToday16:00–22:00
Thu09:00–16:00
Fri09:00–16:00
Sat09:00–16:00
Sun09:00–16:00

Admission

From $25

General admission starts at $25; dome shows extra. Free days for Illinois residents on selected dates; $5 discount for Chicago residents.

Nearby

Shedd Aquarium

Children7 min walk

Field Museum

History10 min walk

Museum of Contemporary Photography

ArtFree19 min walk

Art Institute of Chicago

Architecture24 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Adler Planetarium cost?
Standard adult admission to Adler Planetarium is $25. General admission starts at $25; dome shows extra. Free days for Illinois residents on selected dates; $5 discount for Chicago residents.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Adler Planetarium?
Adler Planetarium is open Thursday-Tuesday 9:00-16:00; Wednesday 16:00-22:00 (timed entry). Last admission one hour before close. Closed 19 September 2026, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Adler Planetarium?
Adler Planetarium is located at 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, United States, in the Museum Campus / Northerly Island area of Chicago. The nearest stations are Roosevelt (CTA Red, Orange & Green lines), Museum Campus/11th Street (Metra Electric), Bus #146 Museum Campus stop.
What can I see at Adler Planetarium?
America's first planetarium, an Art Deco landmark on Lake Michigan with three domes and skyline views. Current highlights include Stars Aligned, Mission Moon, The Universe: A Walk Through Space and Time.
Do I need to book Adler Planetarium in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Adler Planetarium?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Michael Barera, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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