Chicago: Griffin Museum of Science & Industry Admission

What's Inside a 1893 World's Fair Building That Still Stops You Cold

You get admission to the Western Hemisphere's largest science museum, housed in an 1893 World's Fair building. Walk through a 40-foot tornado chamber, board a WWII submarine, descend into a simulated coal mine, and climb a human-sized hamster wheel — all included in your entry. The museum is hands-on by design, wheelchair accessible, and offers underground parking near downtown Chicago.

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a full day of hands-on learning without planning multiple stops — everything is under one roof, admission covers all exhibits, and the museum is built for doing, not just looking.

What’s included

• Your admission includes access to all exhibits and attractions within the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: the 40-foot tornado chamber, the World War II German submarine, the Illinois coal mine descent, the 727 airplane walkthrough, the human-sized hamster wheel, and all other interactive displays throughout the museum.
• Children under three receive free admission.
• Wheelchair accessibility is available throughout, and underground parking is provided on-site.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

• Arrive at Griffin Museum
• Explore 40-foot tornado exhibit
• Climb aboard WWII German submarine
• Run in human-sized hamster wheel
• Descend into Illinois coal mine
• Board 727 airplane hanging from ceiling

The Experience

What happens when you step into a museum that doesn't ask you to stand behind velvet ropes? The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago sits in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, and the moment you walk in, you realize this place isn't built for quiet observation. You're meant to touch, climb, run, and figure things out — the learning happens because you're doing it, not reading about it. The 40-foot tornado chamber pulls you in first, and then you're deciding whether to actually board the World War II German submarine or take the coal mine descent instead.

The museum sprawls across what feels like endless floors, and even if you came back three times you'd miss something. There's a 727 airplane hanging from the ceiling that you can walk through, a human-sized hamster wheel that's harder than it looks, and exhibits that shift between "I didn't know that" and "wait, I can try that right now?" The building itself is part of the draw — those soaring ceilings and the bones of the original fair structure remind you that this place has been doing this for over a century. Parking is underground and convenient, which matters when you're hauling kids or just don't want to circle the block for an hour.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a few miles south of downtown Chicago, accessible by public transit if you prefer, and the admission you pay gets you into all of it — no separate fees for the submarine, the mine, the tornado, any of it. Children under three get in free, and the whole place is wheelchair accessible, so there's no guessing about whether you can actually get around. Most people spend three to four hours here and still feel like they've only scratched the surface.

Top questions

How long should I spend at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry?

Most visitors spend 3–4 hours, though you could easily spend a full day if you engage deeply with exhibits. There's no time limit on your admission.

Is the museum suitable for young children?

Yes. Children under three receive free admission. The museum is designed for hands-on learning, and many exhibits appeal to different ages. Strollers are permitted.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the museum.

Is there parking at the Griffin Museum?

Yes, convenient underground parking is available on-site.

How do I get there using public transportation?

Public transit options are available nearby. The museum is located a few miles south of downtown Chicago.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options to and around the museum are also wheelchair accessible.

What is included in the admission price?

Admission covers access to all exhibits, including the tornado chamber, submarine, coal mine descent, airplane walkthrough, and all other interactive displays.

Can I leave and re-enter on the same day?

Policy on re-entry is not specified in the standard admission details; contact the museum directly to confirm.