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Adler Planetarium

Planetarium and Science Museum

Museum Campus, Chicago

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Adler Planetarium

8.4^/10

1,392

ratings

Ranked #10 for exhibits in Chicago
Has a stamp of approval from Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and Chicagoist
"Get the city pass to do all the museums."(6 Tips)
"The city view, the states and the park by the water is great."(6 Tips)
"free admission Tuesdays for IL residents."(3 Tips)
"sure to checkout the Atwood Sphere"(3 Tips)

153 Tips and reviews

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ChicagoistApril 23, 2015
The Adler is every nerd-at-heart's paradise. See a show in the Sky Theater, a massive domed viewing screen where you look up and feel a rush as you travel through the stars. Read more
Paul AlfredApril 29, 2014
If you are a fan of astronomy - this is a great place to visit. Lots of great multi-media presentations and use of Tablet and touchscreen technology. Just wish for more complex themes like Blackholes.
Maike PlotnikApril 16, 2016
Must-visit in chi town !!! Sth really geeky is explained in a straight and cool way so everybody loves our suns and planets afterwards! It was great ! Staff is more than friendly !
Kevin M. McNally, CMPFebruary 5, 2019
Look up to the sky and stars! Since it opened in 1930, visitors can enjoy sky shows or be your own astronaut. Space is the final frontier for your learning and imagination. And the Moon is inspiring.
Mark RobinsonApril 9, 2018
The best thing here is the view back onto Chicago. Even our Taxi driver commented that he had a wedding shoot here. The auditorium is a multimillion $$$ investment. Great for kids and was busy!
Moustafa AlmalikiMarch 20, 2018
One of the tips I will share is to get a city pass and see the museums, skydeck, and this cool planetarium. It’s cheaper this way and you get to see all the attractions Chicago is famous for.
Laura M.May 6, 2018
Be sure to leave enough time to see one of the shows. I recommend Planet Nine, it was fascinating!!
Social News NetworkNovember 27, 2012
The road leading up to the planetarium has an excellent view of downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan; it is excellent for family pictures and very well-lit during the day. Perfect weather in the summer!
Ruth MadrigalAugust 18, 2013
I liked the exhibitions more than the shows. Astronomy and Culture was one of the best in there. I am not sure why some people say that this place is lame, probably they don't stop to read and learn..
MindyJuly 25, 2014
Great view of Chicago skyline and Navy Pier. Love the variety of meteorites and old telescopes on display. High recommend Cosmic Wonder show in Sky Grainger theater.
UHNWISeptember 14, 2016
Best way to get a beautiful scenic view of the area is to rent a bike and go down. Breathtaking.
Leach E. E.August 4, 2016
Current Planet Nine show is a must-see. Latest research in an accessible and visually gripping format.
Marilina GustafsonAugust 10, 2015
There are so many interesting things to see here. The city view, the states and the park by the water is great.
Mark WongSeptember 5, 2014
The exhibits aren't anything special; however, the planetarium and the shows are amazing! Also, best view of the city skyline.
Andrea CAugust 19, 2014
Best view of the city is from the steps. Get here early to beat the afternoon crowds. The aquarium and Field Museum are a short bus ride away.
Jonathan FerreraSeptember 8, 2015
Been here 25+ times
Catch every show when you buy your tickets. Their exhibitions on their own are great, but the shows in the theaters are beyond amazing.
Let's Go Road TrippinOctober 23, 2013
Oldest Planetarium in the US. Just outside, you will get one of the best pictures of the Chicago Skyline!
Erik RowleyDecember 19, 2013
Fascinating displays of the universe, look for the interactive display walls just past the admission room. Well worth catching a show at the Grainger Theater!
Andy SpencerJanuary 27, 2019
Been here 50+ times
Best museum in Chicago! Great skyline view, be sure to check out Adler After Dark on the third Thursday of each month!
Will St MartinSeptember 27, 2015
Very interesting place with great people, the staff will blow your mind with their knowledge! Used the CityPass deal, good value for money!
Josh SciannaOctober 20, 2017
Went here for Adler After Dark and wasn’t disappointed. The exhibits were fun and the view of the lake towards the city is breathtaking at night.
Sarah RodegheroJune 6, 2013
Listen to the presentations available & ask questions for a fun & highly educational learning experience. Don't miss the grainger sky theater either!!
Aidan AzherMay 13, 2016
Run from my home to Adler's every sunday, so its my hangout place on weekends. I love the view of the whole skyline from here.
_February 17, 2015
The view of Chicago from Adler is nice. The planetarium felt like walking through a bunch of poster boards with too much information.
Scott KleinbergDecember 17, 2015
Adler After Dark is the best way to tour the planetarium hands down. The sky's the limit here (see what I did there?)
Aaron CruzApril 15, 2012
More great skyline shots can be had from this lake side gem. The first planetarium in the US. Located around Solider Field, The Field Museum and more.
Antonio BurrowesMay 29, 2017
Best date night spot especially during the summer over looking the city skyline
Jackie MannAugust 21, 2017
Love the Adler, great museum and amazing city views
Lou Malnati's PizzeriaAugust 17, 2011
Along with being the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere, it is the oldest in existence today. This is also the best place to view Chicago's Skyline without setting foot on a boat. Read more
Jonathan FerreraSeptember 24, 2016
Been here 25+ times
The view of the universe inside is amazing, but outside, the view of Chicago is equally as great.
Christina GalanisJuly 23, 2012
Go ahead and skip Deep Space Adventure. The creepy alien tells his made up story in great details but glosses over the super awesome space stuff that I'm actually here for!!
Obadiah PoundageJune 13, 2012
Take your best shot of the Chicago skyline without leaving land. Wilco fan? You'll recognize the view from the front cover of the "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" documentary DVD.
Paula FreireJuly 29, 2015
It's nice, but the best part is the Skyline view that you have from the Galileo Caffee.
Jake SmithOctober 21, 2012
Don't miss "Astronomy & Culture," an exhibit dedicated solely to the history of astronomy throughout the world.
Mustafa ULAŞJune 18, 2013
Chicago ' un en guzel yeri. Kimsenin bilmediği saklı bir güzellik. The greatest place of Chicago. Don't miss it !
Carlos LopezOctober 18, 2016
Needs updates rush, very dated. Interesting shows. This place probably has one of the best views of the Chicago skyline!
SumaNovember 28, 2012
The Welcome to the Universe show is a great way to experience the Grainger auditorium. And, this holiday season they have the bonus snow globe show!
Brenda HernandezDecember 9, 2011
Adler After Dark is not only a fun event, packed with activities.. it also plays 3 different shows throughout the night, all included in one low price!
Emily MitchellJuly 18, 2013
Great shows like night sky live if you want to learn more about constellations in the night sky (like the swab from swan lake!)
L KMarch 25, 2016
What's not to love! Come during the daytime to use telescopes to look at the sun! Learn about science.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleAugust 2, 2011
Don’t miss the skyline view from Café Galileo’s at the Planetarium, the oldest planetarium in the western hemisphere, before or after a splendid skyshow. -- Green Guide Editor
☆ C a r m s ☆July 3, 2017
Great location for pictures of the city in the background!
Jessica WeissJune 30, 2015
Had so much fun here. Lots of hands on activities and the dome theater was awesome.
Liz BMarch 21, 2016
Incredible place to visit! You will also get a beautiful view of the Chicago Skyline!
NASADecember 7, 2010
Adler is the lead Education and Public Outreach institution for the NASA IBEX mission which launched in 2008. The satellite is about the size of a bus tire and maps the entire heliosphere boundary. Read more
HISTORYMay 8, 2012
This Planetarium was founded in 1930 by Max Adler, who was so impressed by a European machine replicating the night sky that he decided to build one.
MarkSeptember 14, 2014
Awesome place to take the family. Pretty good for the kids and not too expensive. Free for teachers.
Natalie VMay 8, 2016
Cool space exhibits. Not huge so takes about 2 hours to get through if you don't do any of the movies.
Lana PelaesMay 25, 2017
It is a must go place in Chicago! Amazing!
United Federation StarfleetAugust 16, 2011
Located along Chicago's lakefront, see the various exhibits and the shows! They were one of the sites in the running to get one of the retired shuttles too!

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