Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

We had a City Pass so we were able to avoid the lines and waiting. This museum has great exhibits. Bring snacks/drinks on your own to save money and time. And, like the other museums, get there right when it opens because by lunchtime it is packed and gets stressful to have to watch kids and deal with the crowd. The big drawback is that with the City Pass, you don't get entry into the special exhibits like you do at the other museums. This is a big disappointment and should be changed so the value matches the others.

I hadn't been to MSI for several years and cannot believe all the improvements they've made. First, the underground parking garage is a nice addition, we were able to leave coats in the car instead of dragging them with us. The model railroad has been tripled in size and the model covers the whole U.S. The kids loved being able to go into a 747 having never been on a plane before. The science has been updated to include genetics and the human body. The special Mythbusters exhibit was excellent, especially for the adults in the group who love the show. The kids liked being able to do a lot of hands on stuff, even if they didn't always understand what they were doing (kindergarten and 2nd grade). On the down side, there were the occasional things that didn't work and were undergoing maintenance, but that's probably unavoidable in a place that big. On the down side, it is expensive but you may want to consider getting a membership for admission. It will get you free parking ($20 otherwise), a special member's lounge, and can be used for multiple visits. I suggest packing a cooler in the car for lunch because the cafe is insane - lots of stations to choose from but long lines and prices are rather high. The restrooms were very clean and designed to be efficient with light, water and energy. However, overall the experience was positive. Don't forget to stop by the hatchery and see the baby chicks!

There really is a lot to see, but nothing is really impressive. There's just really boring exhibits that is not interesting. It's away from everything else is Chicago so I don't think It is worth it.

I love this Museum alot and it's the closest to home! Me and my partnert tour this Museum over and over throughout the day. We stroll this Museum until our feet tells us to stop. There's so many fun things around it's overwhelming to just stay in one spot for a long time, so what we do is stop only for a couple of minutes in a particular exhibit and then move to the next knowing we'll be there again for another full round of fun! If you love detailing the exhibit, then a repeating visit of the museum is the only way! It's great too when they bring in some exclusive exhibit which usually last only for a week -- certainly something new inside. I love it when I see kids tackle interactive exhibits! They do the act, while we watch the show! Just to know that kids today are still good with these kinds of things and not just video games! It's just sad that the cost of things here are up with the times. I guess everything increases their prices affected by world wide inflation rates. But instead of whining and hurting ourselves with those, I suggest you focus on the fun right infront of you... One of the great ways to get a life!

I have been a member of the Museum of S & I for quite some time. I enjoy it and my kids love it. Everytime we go we always have a great experience and learn something new! For the BIMBO that went to the Museum on a free day (in April 2010) and complained about the loud large crowds of people and the children being loud it is evident that she lacks patience and is not truly from the Chicagoland area! The people of Chicago love express themselves outloud, enjoy people and don't whine about paying $16.00 dollars to park in a safe and secure lot! The B---- should become a member so her parking would be waived! She should also shut her mouth and try to have a good time! One of her comments was don't plan to go to the Museum unless you have ADHD! Well I have ADHD and I don't appreciate the ignorant malicious review that you posted. So go to St. Louis and have a less of a great experience there!

The last post mentioned she did not pay admission and said the experience was awful. This must have been a free day and usually on these days it is absolutely packed. My advice, even if it is free know what your are getting into on free days and make a consious choice.

Living in the Chicago area all my life and loving science, I visited the MSI several times as a child and took my children there and have always loved it, but this was my first visit in several years. I spent $16 on parking, admission was free and I bought a $10 ticket to the Smart Home. I had planned this trip ahead for part of my vacation and was really looking forward to it. I was shocked and disappointed when I arrived. It was impossible to enjoy the exhibits as there were hundreds of screaming, hyper kids running everywhere, fighting over the hands-on displays (which is why half the hands-on exhibits are broken; I saw one kid trying to play with one and holding onto another so no one else could use it), running into people and each other. The screaming and noise was so loud it echoed all throughout the whole museum. Some of the kids behaved well, but it seemed the majority of them were not and were definitely not there to learn anything about science. These were obviously groups of kids from local schools and they were totally out of control. I have never seen anything like it before in my life. It seems the museum caters to this as I was told by a lady at the information booth that this goes on every day of the year at the museum. She acted as if there was nothing wrong and looked at me like I was out of line or weird for even mentioning it. I left after about 1-1/2 hours because I just couldn't stand it anymore, I was practically in tears, and I'm not a person who is usually bothered that much by noise. I was just sooo disappointed. I missed going to the Smart Home. I doubt it would have been enjoyable anyway, but I wasted a $10 ticket and the $16 for parking there for a few hours. At least I didn't pay admission. All I can say is unless things change drastically in the future I will never go there again. It's sad because it used to be such a fascinating, fun place to go and I will really miss what is gone. I would not recommend it to anyone, unless you have ADHD or don't mind listening to screaming echoing in your ears for several hours, weaving between running children and being shoved around. I'm looking for another science museum. Someone mentioned there was one in St. Louis. My advice is, don't go to the Museum of Science and Industry.

The museum of science and industry is a great place to go or vist.

My husband and I took our granddaughter, age 2. We went at Christmas time 2008, when the museum USED to be at it's best with it's Christmas trees. The trees were a disgrace...looked like they were just pulled out year after year with no upkeep. It didn't look like a museum of any kind. "Displays" were few just put here and there far apart, and there was no consistency or understanding. Everything we used to love about the museum when our own boys were small are no longer there. It is grossly overcharging with entrance and parking. I wouldn't go there again!

There is a lot to see and do, but the exhibits, by and large, remain static over the years. Once every 7 years or so ought to do it.