We have tried a variety of family memberships around Chicago, and a surprising museum has emerged as one of our all time favorites. We think the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is a (giant) Chicago gem and a great place for kids and adults alike. Keep reading as we share why we love this museum for our family and for visitors. We will share general tips for your visit as well as advice about how to save money. Come along with us!
What is Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry?
What is Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry? That is a difficult question to answer, because it is just so vast!
With over 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is one of the world’s largest science museums. It has everything from spacecrafts to a full World War II submarine. Kids can climb a combine harvester, pilot a plane or watch a baby chick emerge from an egg. There is a ride-through coal mine, the world’s largest pinball machine and an entire hall of Science Storms. This is a museum dedicated to questions, exploration and all things science.
Maybe that sounds like a bit of an eclectic mix, but that is what we love about this museum. Even after frequent visits, our kids have not grown tired of Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. There are just so many varied options for exploration, and everything is so well done. The museum incorporates interactive elements everywhere, and we experience something new at every visit.
Currently there is a special exhibit on the science of James Bond, and we have also visited one from the Walt Disney Company archives. On any given day there are kid-friendly science demonstrations happening around the museum, and once our kids were able to try out flight simulators for free because a pilots association was visiting for the day. During the winter holidays, the museum even has indoor snow and trees representing communities from all over the world.
One thing to note: until recently the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry was known simply as the Museum of Science and Industry. You may also hear it called MSI or MSI Chicago. They are all the same awesome place.
The Idea Factory at Griffin MSI
Our kids’ favorite spot at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is the Idea Factory. This is a space on the lower level built for kids ages ten and younger (and their families). Imagine the most dynamic children’s museum you have visited, and you get an idea for what this space is like. It is a play space with some “sneaky learning” happening.
In the Idea Factory, are a lot of interactive water elements and simple machines that kids can operate. This is a place to explore magnets, ramps, levers, gears and all kinds of fun stuff.
We appreciate that the Idea Factory has its own bathrooms and a little nursing nook for feeding babies. The Idea Factory is just one part of a much larger museum, but in some ways it’s an attraction unto itself. If you think your kids would like this popular exhibit, we recommend making a specific plan to incorporate it into your day.
Tips for Your Visit to the MSI Idea Factory
The Idea Factory is free with general admission, but you will need a timed entry ticket to get through the colorful gates. If you are visiting with kids, we recommend grabbing one of these free tickets as soon as you get to the museum. First, because the Idea Factory is a popular exhibit and slots can go fast. And second, because your kids might want to spend a lot of time at the MSI Idea Factory.
Going early also has the added benefit of (hopefully) smaller crowds. This is a high energy space, and sometimes that can get overwhelming when it is at full capacity. We love the Idea Factory, but we do think it is worth noting that this can be a loud and overly stimulating environment for some kids.
To get your timed entry tickets, you will use the touch screens near the Idea Factory entrance. You will enter your information and select a return time. When your time slot arrives, the staff member at the Idea Factory entrance will admit you.
The Idea Factory is an enclosed space with one entrance and exit, and we think that makes it easier to supervise multiple kids at a time. The sight lines here are pretty good, but it can actually be tricky to get around some of the exhibits to get to a kid in need. We recommend scoping out the space when you arrive and going over expectations with your little ones. The floor here can get slippery (there is a lot of water), so we always remind our kids to walk.
Other Spots Our Kids Love at the Museum of Science and Industry
As much as our kids love the Idea Factory, we do not spend all day there, because there are many other things they want to experience. We are sure that you will find your own favorites, but here are a few highlights our kids want to experience over and over again.
Trains and Planes
We love to visit The Great Train Story exhibit on the main level where we can follow model trains on their travels through the intricately crafted landscape between Seattle and Chicago. There are buttons along the route that allow our kids to interact with the trains and also actual trains parked nearby. Our kids like climbing on the old street car in particular. Overhead, there is a replica of the Wright Flyer and a Boeing 727 that we always visit as well.
Storms and a Mirror Maze
Our kids have been alternately intimated by and fascinated with the power displayed at Science Storms across the way on the main level, and our oldest likes to traverse Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze also on the main level.
If you too think you would like to do the mirror maze, keep in mind that (like the Idea Factory) this requires a free timed entry ticket. You can get your timed entry ticket by using the touch screens near the entrance to the maze. Just plan ahead!
Farm Equipment and Baby Chicks
Farm Tech on the lower level has some great interactive elements, and our kids like to join the line to climb into the combine harvester. This exhibit is also the current (temporary) home of the popular baby chick Hatchery. We like to hang-out in Farm Tech while we are waiting for our entry time at the nearby Idea Factory.
On our way out, we always make a last stop at the Prairie Zephyr and rest for a moment in the observation car before getting our own (less exciting) transportation home.
Getting to the Museum of Science and Industry
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is located at 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood. As the address implies, the museum is quite close to Lake Michigan.
If you have struggled with finding parking at Chicago’s Museum Campus or navigating public transportation by Navy Pier, you will appreciate how easy it is to reach the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
The museum has a vast parking garage right under the museum itself. The entrance for the parking garage is at E 57th St and Cornell Ave. There is a fee to park in the parking garage, but we appreciate that the family membership actually includes free access to the parking garage: a major bonus for any Chicago destination. You can find the current parking rates on the MSI website here.
If you prefer to take public transportation to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, there are nearby bus stops for several different routes. The Metra Electric Line also stops just two blocks away. We like to use mapping applications like Google Maps to get suggested public transportation routes and plan our transportation from there.
We have accessed the museum by bus and car and have found both to be convenient.
Saving Money on Your Visit to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
The first couple of times we visited the Museum of Science and Industry, we always came on Illinois Free Days, when general admission is free for Illinois residents. For winter 2025, the Illinois Free Days are happening on January 13, 14, 15, 26, 27, 28 and 29 and February 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 and 27. These free days can be busy, but they were still wonderful.
Illinois Free Days are a great way to see some of Chicago’s best attractions, but the free admission is only open to Illinois residents. If you are not an Illinois resident or are just looking for discounts for other days, be sure to check-out this page of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry website. There are many discount options, including free admission Chicago firefighters, Illinois teachers and more. Check-out that page, because you may qualify for one of the discounts.
Bring Your Own Food to the Museum of Science and Industry
If you are a repeat visitor to this blog, you know that we like to bring our own food to Chicago area attractions whenever possible. This is an easy way to save money. Plus, we think bringing favorite healthy foods from home keeps our kids in high energy and good spirits.
You are allowed to bring your own food to MSI Chicago as long as you respectfully consume it within designated dining areas. We usually eat in the large dining area on the Lower Level next to the Swiss Jolly Ball. Our kids love watching that giant pinball machine!
Membership at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Our favorite way to save money over our multiple visits to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is by purchasing a membership. A family membership at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry includes general admission for your family and an additional guest. Plus, it comes with other perks like free parking in the convenient parking garage, some tickets to the Giant Dome theater and additional discounts. Last year, we even used our membership to visit the Madison Children’s Museum.
The included benefits vary at the different membership levels. So, you will want to visit this page to see current pricing and benefits. We are not sponsored by the museum nor do we get a commission from others signing-up: we just think it is a good deal and want to share.
Thank you for reading this article on why we love visiting Chicago’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry with kids.
We hope that you will have a chance to visit soon and discover your own reasons to love this amazing place. If you are looking for more tips on Chicago area attractions check out some of our other articles including: Visit Brookfield Zoo Chicago for Free This Winter, Top 5 Tips for Visiting Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and Best Deal in Children’s Museums: Chicago Area’s CLIMB Network. Finally, please consider subscribing to our free newsletter below, and get our latest tips in your inbox. Thanks again for reading!
