Adler Planetarium
About
America's first planetarium takes kids on journeys through space with immersive dome theater shows that simulate rocket launches, planetary exploration, and night sky navigation. The hands-on exhibits let children pilot a virtual spaceship, explore Mars through rover activities, and discover what it's like to be an astronaut, making complex astronomy concepts accessible and thrilling.
Highlights
- ✓The immersive dome theater shows that make you feel like you're flying through space
- ✓Mission Mars exhibit where kids can drive a rover and explore the red planet
- ✓Historic Atwood Sphere, the oldest planetarium projection device in the world
Pro Tips
- 1.Note the unusual Wednesday hours (4-10 PM) - this late night is perfect for viewing actual stars through telescopes weather permitting, and crowds are lighter
- 2.Book your planetarium show tickets online in advance for specific showtimes - they do sell out, especially on weekends
- 3.The terrace behind the planetarium offers the best skyline views in Chicago and is free to access - perfect for photos and letting kids run around between exhibits
Best Time to Visit
Tuesday or Thursday late mornings (11 AM-2 PM) when it's less crowded, or Wednesday evenings for the unique late-night experience with telescope viewing.
What to Know
Galileo's Café on-site with sandwiches, snacks, and coffee. Limited kid menu. Better food options at nearby Shedd or pack a picnic for outdoor Museum Campus seating. Share parking with Shedd Aquarium at Museum Campus lots ($30-40). The walk from parking to entrance is about 5-10 minutes with great lake views. Family restrooms with changing tables available on main level near café. Stroller-accessible throughout, but you'll need to park strollers outside dome theaters during shows. Stroller storage available. Fully accessible with elevator access. Wheelchair seating in all theaters. ASL interpretation and assistive listening devices available with advance notice.
Seasonal Notes
Summer features extended hours and special solar viewing events. Winter Wednesday evenings offer clear star viewing when skies cooperate. Check for seasonal planetarium shows - holiday-themed space shows debut in November-December.
Nearby Eats
Museum Campus dining is limited; Eleven City Diner (2 miles north) is a classic Chicago spot with excellent kids' menu, or walk to Soldier Field's casual eateries during football off-season.
More Activities Near Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world's greatest art museums, featuring iconic works like Grant Wood's 'American Gothic' and the massive collection of Impressionist paintings that fascinate kids when they learn the stories behind them. The Ryan Learning Center offers hands-on art activities specifically designed for children, making this world-class museum accessible and fun for young visitors.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere transforms learning into adventure with over 2,000 hands-on exhibits spread across 14 acres. Kids can descend into a real German U-boat submarine, explore a full-size replica coal mine, walk through a 40-foot tornado, and watch baby chicks hatch, making science tangible and unforgettable.
Field Museum
Home to SUE, the largest and most complete T. rex fossil ever discovered, and Máximo, a 122-foot-long titanosaur, the Field Museum brings 4.5 billion years of Earth's history to life. Kids become explorers navigating through Egyptian tombs, encountering mummies, examining real dinosaur bones, and discovering gems that glow in the dark in one of the world's premier natural history museums.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
This Lincoln Park nature museum brings the outdoors inside with its famous Judy Istock Butterfly Haven where hundreds of live butterflies land right on kids' shoulders and heads. The hands-on RiverWorks exhibit lets children play with water, observe live animals native to Chicago, and learn about local ecosystems through interactive displays. It's the perfect size for younger children who might get overwhelmed at larger museums.