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Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

TransportHistoryScienceClosed · Opens 9:30amFrom $25.95Metra Electric: 55th-56th-57th Street (2 blocks from the north entrance)

Housed in the last surviving building of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science centre in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 2,000 exhibits across 75 halls. Opened in 1933 at the urging of Sears chairman Julius Rosenwald, it made hands-on science its founding idea, from the deep-shaft Coal Mine that has run since day one to the tornado vortex and Tesla coil of Science Storms. Its headline artefacts are genuine: the German submarine U-505, captured at sea in 1944, the Apollo 8 command module, and the Pioneer Zephyr, the first diesel streamliner in the United States. The museum was renamed in 2024 after a $125 million gift from Kenneth C. Griffin.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637, United States

Nearest station: Metra Electric: 55th-56th-57th Street (2 blocks from the north entrance), CTA bus #6 (stops at the Museum entrance), CTA bus #10 / #2: 57th St & Stony Island

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Hours

Late opening (Chicago Half Marathon) 27 September, 11:00–16:00

Early close (Columbian Ball) 3 October, 09:30–15:00

Mon09:30–16:00
Tue09:30–16:00
WedToday09:30–16:00
Thu09:30–16:00
Fri09:30–16:00
Sat09:30–16:00
Sun09:30–16:00

Admission

From $25.95

General Admission from $25.95 adult; children (3-11) less. City of Chicago residents get $9 off adult / $5 off child. Illinois residents get free General Admission on select days. Coal Mine tour, U-505 On-Board Tour, Giant Dome Theater films, simulators and Anne Frank The Exhibition require separate tickets.

Nearby

Smart Museum of Art

DesignFree18 min walk

The Renaissance Society

ArtFree18 min walk

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

Local History24 min walk

Adler Planetarium

History104 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Griffin Museum of Science and Industry cost?
Standard adult admission to Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is $25.95. General Admission from $25.95 adult; children (3-11) less. City of Chicago residents get $9 off adult / $5 off child. Illinois residents get free General Admission on select days. Coal Mine tour, U-505 On-Board Tour, Giant Dome Theater films, simulators and Anne Frank The Exhibition require separate tickets.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Griffin Museum of Science and Industry?
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is open Open daily 9:30am-4pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day (26 Nov 2026) and Christmas Day (25 Dec 2026). Extended hours to 5:30pm on 7-16, 18, 20, 22-25 and 27-30 November 2026, 1-23 December and 26-30 December 2026; 9:30am-4pm on 24 and 31 December. Opens at 11am on Sunday 27 September 2026 (Chicago Half Marathon); closes at 3pm on Saturday 3 October and Saturday 17 October 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Griffin Museum of Science and Industry?
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is located at 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637, United States, in the Hyde Park / Jackson Park area of Chicago. The nearest stations are Metra Electric: 55th-56th-57th Street (2 blocks from the north entrance), CTA bus #6 (stops at the Museum entrance), CTA bus #10 / #2: 57th St & Stony Island.
What can I see at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry?
A captured U-boat, a working coal mine and a streamlined 1934 train, inside an 1893 World's Fair palace. Current highlights include Science Storms, Powering the Future, Extreme Ice.
Do I need to book Griffin Museum of Science and Industry 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 Griffin Museum of Science and Industry?
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.

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