Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

This large, interactive museum contains a coal mine and World War II submarine among its many attractions.

It’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the Museum of Science and Industry, located in Hyde Park, just south of downtown. There are some 35,000 artifacts in this 14-acre (5.6-hectare) space. These aren’t your usual museum artifacts, either. See the Apollo 8 space craft (the first to take humans to the moon) and go subterranean in an underground replica of a coal mine. Get involved with hands-on science experiments, interactive digital displays and walk-in exhibits. The museum is designed to teach you about most every aspect of the world within you and around you, including the human body, transportation, technology, industry, and the weather.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the size of the museum, pay a little extra and take a guided tour. The WOW Tour lasts for an hour and takes visitors through the museum’s main attractions, including the coal mine, Boeing 727 airplane and Baby Chicks exhibit. (The Coal Mine is one of the museum’s “add-on” exhibits that you pay extra for when buying an admission ticket. Ask about other add-ons at the box office.)

The Baby Chicks exhibit lets you watch as chicks hatch from eggs. The Boeing 727 – an actual aircraft that you can climb aboard and explore – is one of the main attractions of the Transportation Gallery. You’ll also find a Steam 999 Locomotive, the Spirit of America (one of the fastest vehicles in the world), and dozens of smaller aircraft.

Continue your journey of learning with exhibits demonstrating how the Internet works, how toys are made and how the human heart beats. You can even create a mini tornado in The Science Storms exhibit. There’s a machine that produces lightning, another that demonstrates avalanches and one that let’s you create fireworks.

The museum is easily accessible by the ‘L’, bus or train, and parking is available for a fee.

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

McCormick Place

Attend an event at the United States’ largest convention center, which features hyper-modern facilities and huge exhibition spaces connected by promenades and sky bridges.

Soldier Field

Events center, NFL stadium and historic landmark all in one, this waterfront field is one of Chicago’s most popular destinations.

South Loop

South Loop is the place to go for jazz and blues, museums and some of the hottest new pubs and restaurants in town.

Field Museum of Natural History

Dinosaur bones, rare gems and real Egyptian mummies are among the displays at this family favorite.

Grant Park

Chicago’s front yard is a pretty landscaped park, which is home to public art displays, museums, themed gardens and international music festivals.

Hotels near Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

Congress Plaza Hotel

520 South Michigan Avenue

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this hotel is steps from Columbia College Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Photography, and Auditorium Building and Theatre. Fine Arts Building and Buckingham Fountain are also within 5 minutes. Harrison Station and Chicago Van Buren Street Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Hyatt Regency Chicago

151 East Wacker Dr

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this eco-friendly hotel is steps from Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue Bridge. Grant Park and Chicago Theatre are also within 10 minutes. State Station is 9 minutes by foot and Randolph-Wabash Station is 9 minutes.

Palmer House a Hilton Hotel

17 E Monroe St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this spa hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park. Chicago Theatre and Willis Tower are also within 15 minutes. Monroe Station (Red Line) is only a 2-minute walk and Monroe Station (Blue Line) is 2 minutes.

Sheraton Grand Chicago

301 E North Water St

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier. Millennium Park and John Hancock Center are also within 1 mi (2 km). Grand Station (Red Line) is 11 minutes by foot and Randolph-Wabash Station is 13 minutes.

Hilton Chicago

720 S Michigan Ave

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this historic hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, and Art Institute of Chicago. Millennium Park and Field Museum of Natural History are also within 15 minutes. Harrison Station is 5 minutes by foot and Roosevelt Station is 9 minutes.

Hotel Audrey

166 E Superior Street

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this boutique hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and Water Tower Place. Chicago Station (Red Line) is 7 minutes by foot and Grand Station (Red Line) is 11 minutes.

Club Quarters Hotel, Central Loop

111 West Adams Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of State Street and Willis Tower. Grant Park and Millennium Park are also within 15 minutes. Jackson Station (Blue Line) and Quincy Metro Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Millennium Knickerbocker Chicago

163 East Walton Place

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of John Hancock Center and Museum of Contemporary Art. Millennium Park and Navy Pier are also within 2 mi (3 km). Chicago Station (Red Line) is 10 minutes by foot and Clark-Division Station is 13 minutes.

Warwick Allerton - Chicago

701 North Michigan Avenue

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Chicago hotel is located in the entertainment district, just steps from Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Michigan Avenue. State Street and Water Tower Place are also within 5 minutes. Chicago Station (Red Line) is 6 minutes by foot and Grand Station (Red Line) is 8 minutes.

Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile

20 E Chestnut St

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this luxury hotel is within a 5-minute walk of State Street, Oak Street, and Water Tower Place. John Hancock Center and Broadway Playhouse are also within 5 minutes. Chicago Station (Red Line) is only a 3-minute walk and Grand Station (Red Line) is 10 minutes.

Pendry Chicago

230 North Michigan Avenue

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this luxury hotel is steps from Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue. Grant Park and Chicago Theatre are also within 5 minutes. Randolph-Wabash Station and State Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Four Points by Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport

10249 Irving Park Road

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this hotel is within 3 mi (5 km) of Rosemont Theatre, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Parkway Bank Park Entertainment District and Rivers Casino are also within 6 mi (10 km). Schiller Park Station is 22 minutes by foot and Franklin Park Mannheim Station is 23 minutes.

The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago

909 North Michigan Ave

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this luxury hotel is steps from Oak Street, Michigan Avenue, and John Hancock Center. Water Tower Place and State Street are also within 5 minutes. Chicago Station (Red Line) is 7 minutes by foot and Clark-Division Station is 13 minutes.

Hyatt Regency O'Hare Chicago

9300 Bryn Mawr Ave

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and Rosemont Theatre. Rivers Casino is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) away. Rosemont Station is 12 minutes by foot and Rosemont Station is 19 minutes.

Inn of Chicago

162 E Ohio St

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this beach hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Michigan Avenue, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and State Street. Prentice Women's Hospital and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital are also within 10 minutes. Grand Station (Red Line) is 6 minutes by foot and Chicago Station (Red Line) is 11 minutes.

Hotel Felix Chicago

111 W Huron St

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in River North, this spa hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Holy Name Cathedral, Driehaus Museum, and American Medical Association Headquarters. Tribune Tower and John Hancock Center are also within 15 minutes. Chicago Station (Red Line) is 6 minutes by foot and Chicago Station (Brown Line) is 6 minutes.

Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile

511 North Columbus Drive

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Chicago Riverwalk and Michigan Avenue. Prentice Women's Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital are also within 10 minutes. Grand Station (Red Line) is 9 minutes by foot and State Station is 14 minutes.

Hotel Chicago Downtown, Autograph Collection by Marriott

333 N Dearborn StDriveway Entrance at 350 N State St, Driveway Entrance at 350 N State St

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in River North, this romantic hotel is steps from House of Blues Chicago, Chicago Riverwalk, and State Street. Chicago Theatre and Michigan Avenue are also within 10 minutes. State Station and Clark-Lake Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile

633 N Saint Clair St

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this romantic hotel is steps from Michigan Avenue and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Prentice Women's Hospital and State Street are also within 10 minutes. Grand Station (Red Line) is 9 minutes by foot and Chicago Station (Red Line) is 9 minutes.

The Whitehall Hotel

105 E Delaware Pl

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Located in Near North Side, this romantic hotel is steps from Water Tower Place, Michigan Avenue, and State Street. John Hancock Center and Lake Michigan are also within 10 minutes. Chicago Station (Red Line) is 6 minutes by foot and Clark-Division Station is 11 minutes.

Club Quarters Hotel, Wacker at Michigan

75 E Wacker Dr

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Chicago Riverwalk and Chicago Theatre. Michigan Avenue and Grant Park are also within 10 minutes. State Station and Randolph-Wabash Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Comfort Suites Chicago O'Hare Airport

4200 North River Road

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in the heart of Schiller Park, this hotel is within 2 mi (3 km) of Rosemont Theatre, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, and Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Rivers Casino and Allstate Arena are also within 6 mi (10 km). Schiller Park Station is 24 minutes by foot.

The Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel

171 W Randolph St

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this romantic hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Riverwalk, and Chicago Theatre. Michigan Avenue and Grant Park are also within 10 minutes. Washington-Wells Station and Clark-Lake Station are within a 5-minute walk.

Hotel Blake, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member

500 South Dearborn Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in The Loop, this romantic hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Old Colony Building and Harold Washington Library Center. Columbia College Chicago and Grant Park are also within 10 minutes. Harrison Station and LaSalle Street Station are within a 5-minute walk.