The largest science center in the Western Hemisphere.
😱 AHH, there’s only one week left to see the hottest exhibit in town! 🔥
Feel the heartbeat of a once vibrant city, frozen in time in Pompeii: The Exhibition.
🔗 Last call to journey back in time through Jan. 15! Reserve your spot now at msichicago.org/tickets.
It's Christmas time for over 250 million Orthodox Christians around the globe, who celebrate during the first week of January! 🌟 (typically the sixth or seventh)
The installation pictured above commemorates the holiday traditions of Serbia, featured in our Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit.
On Christmas, Jan. 7, straw is spread throughout the house representing the humble stable of Christ’s birth.
A Badnjak (Oak branch) replaces the traditional Evergreen. Sprinkled wheat grains and hot plum brandy welcome guests. ☕
🥜 Nuts are tossed in the four corners of the room symbolizing the cross. Sprouted wheat grass reveals the coming year’s bounty.
The holiday table is adorned with a candle, decorated sweet bread (Božićnjak), and Česnica, in which a lucky coin is baked. 🕯️
📣 January Illinois Resident Free Days! Kick off the new year with a Museum adventure.
🔗 Skip the line, reserve ahead at msichicago.org/tickets
**Pricing applies at checkout.**
🐦 Who better to celebrate with than Gwen, from Migration?
Did you know engineers use flight concepts from birds to design airplanes?🛫
Using design cues from nature in engineering is called "biomimicry."
From streamlined designs allowing for better aerodynamics to wing shape increasing lift, nature's aviators influence our journey to the skies above. 🦅
Chillin' on the Columbian Basin, circa 1900! ❄️🏛️
Flashback a bit further to 1893 World’s Fair, when this body of water served as the main entrance to the building.
🚣 Gondolas dropped guests off like VIPs at the steps of the Palace of Fine Arts.
Edit: World's Fair year updated from a previous typo!
Black Creativity takes the center stage for its 53rd year, starting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 15! 🎉
Our annual program honors the achievements of Black and African American artists and STEAM professionals while working to actively inspire creativity in young children of color.
📅 Save these key dates:
🎨 Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition: Jan. 15-April 21. Explore the longest continuously running exhibition of African American art in the United States, featuring over 150 works from Black and African American artists from across the country.
💡 Black Creativity Family Day: Jan. 15. Engage in activities with Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health and explore color psychology with contemporary artist Raven Smith.
🎶 Black Creativity Gala: Feb. 17. Join the annual celebration of Black creators, innovators and artists.
⚛️ Black Creativity Career Showcase & Meet Her: Feb. 24. Connect with Black STEAM professionals, explore opportunities, and attend the Meet Her talk highlighting a leading Black woman in STEM.
For Young Minds:
🧠 Junior Science and Art Cafés: Open to 4th to 8th graders from qualifying schools. Students will gain exposure to STEAM fields through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations with Black and African American STEAM professionals.
🔗Details at msichicago.org/blackcreativity
Featured artwork: Jerry Jordan, The Drawing Party, 2022, Oil on canvas. Courtesy Jerry J. Jordan
What makes snowflakes come to life? 🤔
❄️Bundle up for a blizzard of science, inspired by the photography of physics professor Kenneth Libbrecht.
From the beauty of individual snowflakes to the vital role of snow in our environment, the more you know, the cooler it gets! 🌨️
Another orbit, another year! ☀️
If you could ring in a new year on another planet, which one would you pick? 🚀
Ready to waddle into the party scene. 🐧
Just over two weeks left to journey back into the ancient world!
Unravel the stories of a vibrant culture that thrived before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Pompeii, frozen in volcanic ash and debris, stands as one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of our time.
🚨 Pompeii: The Exhibition continues until Jan. 15. Secure your spot at msichicago.org/tickets. 🔗
🕯️ Kwanzaa begins today, an annual celebration of African/African American history and culture, based on ancient harvest festivals derived from matunda ya kwanza, or "first fruits."
Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, the holiday highlights seven core (life Value) principles - Nguzo Saba. One of the Seven Candles is lit daily, starting with the Unity (Black) candle, then alternating red and green, reciting each principle until all candles are ablaze.
On day seven, the Feast "Karamu" with food, music, dancing, singing, and gifts for the children, as a new cycle begins.
Celebrate global holidays honoring light and enlightenment at Holidays of Light, running through Jan. 7. 🌟
🔗msichicago.org/tickets
🔔 🎄 Just a quick holiday PSA: We're closed on December 25 for Christmas Day. Don't worry— we'll be back and ready the next day for post-holiday fun!
Slide into the new year with these must-see exhibits:
🎄 Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, through Jan. 7
🌋 Pompeii: the Exhibition, through Jan. 15
🔗 Plan your visit today at msichicago.org/tickets
Heading to the Video Ranch, any recos for the holiday weekend? 📼
🌑🌟 The darkest day signifies the light to come. The Winter Solstice marks the shortest period of daylight of the year in the northern hemisphere.
Due to the tilt of the Earth, the Sun is at its lowest point on our horizon. 🌍
Almost every culture has some way of marking the Winter Solstice. Even the traditions of Christmas find origins in these ancient celebrations.
Celebrate global holidays honoring light and enlightenment at Holidays of Light, running through Jan. 7. 🌟
🔗Learn more at msichicago.org/holiday
🌕In 1968, Apollo 8 began one of the best holiday trips in history.
The world held its breath as the first crew traveled beyond Earth’s orbit, propelling us into an era of endless possibilities. 🚀
Fast forward to now, the same spacecraft that took Jim Lovell, Bill Anders and the late Frank Borman around the Moon and back stands tall at MSI, a symbol of curiosity and discovery.
Tomorrow marks 55 years since the historic launch!
📸: NASA
_________________
Artifact on loan from the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
❄️✨ Not all snowflakes are alike—some are made of a single ice crystal, while others are intricate formations of up to 200 fused crystals.
The iconic hexagonal structure of snowflakes is a result of the unique alignment of water molecules during freezing.
These stunning photos emphasize the diversity of snowflakes, encouraging us to observe the various crystal formations.
The next time you head down a slope or look up at a snowy sky, consider the magnificent complexity happening to create those beautiful, one-of-a-kind snowflakes. 🌨️⛄️🏂
📸 © Kenneth Libbrecht, SnowCrystals.com
👃Follow your nose to Yesterday’s Main Street to discover the Holiday Market Cart!
We've got seriously tasty, Santa-approved snacks and hot sips that will sweeten your visit. 🍪
Check out this special offering during the most wonderful time of the year. 🎄
✈️ Taking Wright off into history! This weekend, we're honoring the 120th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' iconic flight that sparked the aerial age.
Join us on Dec. 16-17 in the Transportation Gallery for an aviation extravaganza:
👩✈️ Engage with real pilots, offering aviation tales and career insights.
🛠️ Explore the 1903 Wright Flyer's legacy with one of the co-builders of the MSI replica. (10 am – 2:30 pm)
🕹️ Take command and fly a single engine plane simulator with a professional airline pilot.
🚀 Soar to new heights with the VR Transporter, Flight Simulator, and Motion Ride! (Additional ticket required)
Let's make this weekend a flight to remember!
🕯️ Saint Lucia, whose name means "light," holds a special significance for the Swedish people enduring Scandinavia's long, dark winters. ❄️
🌤️ She symbolizes the returning daylight hours of spring and the spread of Christianity throughout Sweden.
The Swedish Christmas season opens with Saint Lucia Day on Dec. 13.
Early that morning, the eldest daughter of the house dressed like the saint in a white robe with a wreath of candles on her head.
🎶 She then wakes the household by singing the song "Saint Lucia" and serving the family coffee and saffron buns.
Explore global holidays honoring light and enlightenment at Holidays of Light. 🌟
🔗 msichicago.org/holiday
🎬 Catching a flick at the nickelodeon!
Just a nickel treated you to continuous one- and two-reel films, accompanied by piano music, from about 1905-1915. 🎹
Nickelodeons helped birth 'the moviegoer,' but their success sparked their decline—due to rapid audience growth, the need for larger spaces, and the rise of feature films they helped inspire.
While their heyday was brief, they paved the way for the theaters we enjoy today! 🎟️
🌊 Exciting news! We’re taking The Blue Paradox exhibit's vital message beyond our walls and into schools, thanks to a generous $80,000 grant from SC Johnson, A Family Company!
MSI’s Education team is set to ignite the minds of 8,000 students in Midwest communities.
This week, “Water Lab” programming kicks off in Racine schools, increasing understanding of the global plastics pollution crisis by exploring:
🧪 Microplastics’ effect on water quality
🌊 Impact on the Great Lakes and how to reduce it
✅ Actionable ways we can turn the tide
Let’s keep making waves! A heartfelt thank you to SC Johnson, A Family Company for their incredible commitment to advancing science education in our communities. 🙌
Accessorizing is key 🗝️—ancient Roman style inspo for your holiday party 'fits. This timeless gold jewelry dates to the first century C.E.
Uncover the heartbeat of the once bustling Pompeii with over 150 artifacts—jewelry, gladiator armor, tools, furniture, pots, and more.
🚨 FINAL WEEKS to wander through an ancient world in Pompeii: The Exhibition! Secure your spot at msichicago.org/tickets. 🔗
🎅 Whether you're naughty or nice, we've got the event for you! Celebrate the season at Naughty or Nice on Dec. 15.
Our festive after-hours, 21-and-up event features:
🎄 A forest of over 50 trees and displays representing global holiday traditions in Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
☕ Seasonal cocktails and hot chocolate
🤳 Selfies with the MVPs themselves, Santa Claus and Krampus
🏛️ Exploring the Museum after hours
And more! Don't miss out—secure your tickets at msichicago.org/naughtyornice 🔗
🌟Make every moment of your holiday visit count. Skip the line, reserve your ticket online! 🎟️
🔗Plan ahead at msichicago.org/tickets
🕎 Eight nights, eight lights. Tonight, Hanukkah begins!
Jewish celebrations include lighting a menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum, earning the holiday its nickname—the Festival of Lights.
Celebrate global holidays honoring light and enlightenment at Holidays of Light, running through Jan. 7. 🌟
🔗Learn more at msichicago.org/holiday.
🌊 💙The heartbeat of our planet is in our oceans—today, tomorrow, always.
Dive below the surface to explore the impact plastic pollution has had on our planet's largest ecosystem.🌍
Together, we can join forces for a bluer future. Discover how in The Blue Paradox.
🔗msichicago.org/blueparadox
📷 wanderingacornacademy | IG
The Blue Paradox is presented by SC Johnson, A Family Company in partnership with Conservation International.
Guess who's playing the King and Queen of Hearts in the Fairy Castle? ❤️👑
🐭 Yep, it’s Mickey and Minnie! Walt Disney himself donated this miniature masterpiece.
Can you spot it peeking through the Chapel doorway?
🎅 SANTA! We know him!
Ho-ho-hop into a photo with Santa in his studio or pose for a group portrait in front of our magnificent 45-foot-tall Grand Tree—your perfect holiday souvenir. 🎄
🍪 While you're creating unforgettable memories, don't forget to swing by our Holiday Market cart for some delicious Santa-approved seasonal treats!
🔗 Add a holiday photo onto your Museum Entry at msichicago.org/tickets.
Full STEAM ahead! 🚀 Celebrating an incredible first year of Phalanx Family Services "Phab Lab”— a collab modeled after MSI's renowned Wanger Family "Fab Lab!"
💡Chicago students demoed 3D printers and laser cutters, showing how the Phab Lab boosts STEAM engagement in Pullman.
This kicks off MSI’s "Spark Neighborhoods" project, bringing STEAM learning to communities.
Let’s keep the innovation going! 🌐🔬
⏰ Don't miss these savings on Winter Break Camp. Your young innovator will discover the wonderment of winter science!
❄️Save 10% on registration with promo code WINTER10.
Details at bit.ly/47FHcw8. Valid through Dec. 1.
5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL
60637
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Grateful to all of you for an ⚡electric 90 years of wonder and innovation. Here's to the future of inspiring the inventive genius in everyone, one moment of awe at a time! 💡 🎉 Drone show by Sky Elements Drones
The 2️⃣ 0️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣ season was one for the books. What was your favorite memory with us this year? 🎵 : Ian Asher
❄️✨ These designer snowflakes, crafted in a controlled laboratory environment, are a wonder in ice sculpture. By playing with temperature and humidity, California Institute of Technology physics professor, Ken Libbrecht, sculpts breathtaking, one-of-a-kind structures from water vapor. Explore the collection for a glimpse into the artistry of controlled ice growth.
Waiting for the holidays ➡️ when they finally hit. 🎅 🕺 🎅 🕺
⏳ Time is running out! Wander the streets of Pompeii before this must-see exhibition becomes a thing of the past. 🌋 Don't miss out on this journey through time featuring over 150 priceless artifacts, an immersive 4D eruption simulation, and the chillingly tragic full-body casts of the volcano's victims. 🚨FINAL WEEKS, Pompeii: The Exhibition runs through Jan. 15. Secure your spot at Secure your spot at msichicago.org/tickets. 🔗
🎅 Santa’s on a mission to capture Museum magic. Follow his festive itinerary for an equal dose of holly and jolly: 🏛️ ALL the exhibits. He can cover a lot of ground quickly. 📸 Snap pics with the fans. ✨ Add a lil’ extra sparkle to the Grand Tree. 🎄 Explore over 50 trees and displays celebrating Chicago's rich cultures. 🎁 Cruise the Holiday Shop for gift inspo. 🍪 Get a cookie fix at the Holiday Market Cart. Do it like Santa. Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light runs through Jan. 7! 🔗 Plan your visit today at msichicago.org/tickets
🌋Final weeks to step back in time at Pompeii: The Exhibition! Explore the captivating tale of a city preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius 1,900 years ago. Hurry, experience the must-see exhibition before it vanishes into history! 👇 Link in comments below, secure your timed-entry ticket now. 👇
🎅 Get ready for a jolly good time! Join us at Naughty or Nice on Dec. 15—no matter what you expect in your stocking! Our festive after-hours, 21-and-up event features: 🎄 A forest of over 50 trees and displays representing global holiday traditions in Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light ☕ Seasonal cocktails and hot chocolate 🤳 Selfies with the MVPs themselves, Santa Claus and Krampus 🏛️ Exploring the Museum after hours And more! No matter what list you’re on, join us for a not-so-silent night. 🔗Ticket link in comments below!
Our journey through 90 years of MSI continues with the golden era of basketball! 🏀 🍔🃏 In 1993, these Upper Deck trading cards were sold in Happy Meals at McDonald's, celebrating the legends of the United Center. 🏟️ Follow along as we continue to visit iconic artifacts through the decades! #MSIChicago #90andBeyond #ChicagoBulls #UpperDeckCards #SpaceJam #Jordan
Lit up for the season!🌟 The four-story Grand Tree is ready to dazzle. 🎄 Put Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light on your holiday bucket list. The fun includes: 🎄 More than 50 trees and displays celebrating the rich cultures that call Chicago home ❄️ Magical snowfall every 30 minutes 🍪 A Holiday Market cart with delicious seasonal treats 🎅 An opportunity to grab a photo with SANTA (Requires additional ticketing) 🏛️And so much more! Catch it while it’s here through Jan. 7! 🔗Plan your holiday visit, link in comments below. Included with Museum Entry. #msichicago #msiholidays #chicago #thingstodoinchicago #holidays
How do you get a Boeing 727 inside a museum? ✈️ The plane was taken apart – and one of the Museum’s columns was removed – so that the historic United Airlines plane could be moved inside while a crowd of thousands watched. Tomorrow marks 30 years since "landing" at MSI. Check out this 1993 clip of the historic transport, and be sure to board the 727 during your next visit!
🌟 The magic begins this weekend! Come celebrate the opening of Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at our Tree Lighting Festival this Saturday. Chance The Rapper, Grammy Award-winning musician and founder of SocialWorks, will help kick off the holidays at MSI 🎄 Festivities include: magical snowfall, performances celebrating several cultures that call Chicago home, special appearances🎅, the Grand Tree Lighting at 11 a.m. and so much more! 📆 Saturday, Nov. 18 🕚 10:00 a.m. 📍 MSI
All aboard for a journey of miniature proportions! 🚆 The Great Train Story whisks you across the country in minutes, from The Windy City to the Pacific Northwest. With 1,400 feet of winding track, over 20 trains, and hidden scenes waiting to be discovered, every visit reveals something new. 👀 #msichicago #modeltrains #trains #railroad #modelrailroad
Sippin’ on a Science Storm. 🌪️ Sweeten your visit with a Museum Milkshake, inspired by our most iconic exhibits! Check out all six selections, available in our Lower Court. Indulge exclusively at MSI, courtesy of the Museum Kitchen Culinary Team. 🍽️
Continue deeper into the realm of Collections, as we unsheathe #SpookySZN with a knife that’s a cut above the rest! 🔪👻 This blade was on display in 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition. A blade this large is made to carve its way into your nightmares (and some really big pumpkins. 🔪🎃) Happy Halloween! 👻🎃 #MSIChicago #SpookyArtifacts
☠️ Dare to enter the realm of Collections with these eerie artifacts.... First, we have the plaster cast replica of Lazzaro Spallanzani's death mask. It captures the essence of a brilliant mind just after its final moments.⚰️ A chilling reminder of the passage of time and knowledge. 💀🕯️ Follow along for part 2! 👻 #MSIChicago #HappyHalloween #SpookySZN #SpookyArtifacts #DeathMask
👻 Explore the science of early theater magic with Pepper's Ghost! This classic illusion has puzzled audiences for generations. You've probably seen this trick before, like at the U-505 Submarine Exhibit! 👻✨ #MSIChicago #PeppersGhost #SpookySZN #HappyHalloween
Who remembers this #throwback MSI gem? 🌲🪓 This legendary lumberjack was a staple at MSI. But some found the animatronic #PaulBunyan a bit unsettling. 😰 Since it's #SpookySZN , here's our Halloween edit on what the Giant of the North Woods could've been.... 🪓😈 🎃👻 #MSIChicago
Witness the hauntingly powerful story of the body casts frozen in time. These tragic figures from Mount Vesuvius's eruption reveal a moment in history like no other. Join us on a journey through time .in #PompeiiTheExhibition 🌋🏛️
Don’t ghost us this spooky season. 👻
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago—one of the largest science museums in the world—is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. It was a moment of inspiration during a family vacation nearly a century ago. Watching his child enthralled by an interactive museum display, our founder Julius Rosenwald resolved to share that experience with Chicago. Since opening in 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago has been dedicated to inspiring the inventive genius in everyone with uniquely interactive experiences. We've hosted more than 180 million guests—or about a billion moments like the one that started it all.
Today, MSI is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, but also works to provide these moments of discovery beyond our walls. Through our Welcome to Science Initiative, we create learning experiences inside and outside the classroom and remove barriers that exclude youth from participating with programs for teachers, schools, families and communities. Together, these are the ways MSI brings science to life for children and adults of all ages, all while pursuing our larger vision: To inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science,technology, medicine and engineering.
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures
E 58th Street
National Public Housing Museum
N Kingsbury Street
Museum of Broadcast Communications
N State Street
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
S Wabash Avenue
