Our regular hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended hours are offered during spring break, summer, and winter holidays—check our full calendar of extended hours. We are open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Full payment is due 14 days before your visit or your reservation will be canceled. Cancellations made less than 14 days in advance will not be refunded. Please provide your final group count 14 days before your visit; students or chaperones not included in the final count will be charged full-price admission.

One chaperone per 10 students in grades 4-12 and one chaperone per five students in grades K-3 is admitted free. Let us know if you are a special needs group that requires additional chaperones. Our chaperone guide (PDF) will help you provide instructions to chaperones during your visit.

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but lunch plans make the most of your day at MSI.

With so much to do and see at MSI, the last thing your group will want to do is spend time on lunch logistics. Make that plan in advance!

We will ask for your lunch plan during your reservation process. Even when bringing your own lunches, a time and space for your lunch must be prearranged. There are three lunch options available:

Brain Food Court (advance vouchers or cash, open seating)

Our food court features fresh-made pizzas, made-to-order deli sandwiches, fresh-tossed salads, delicious stir-fry dishes, grilled items and more. Advance purchase options include $9.50 student vouchers—good for selected entrees with a side and a drink—or $12 cash-value vouchers. Either is a fast and flexible way to let your group set their own timetables. Seating is open and is subject to availability.

Box Lunches (pre-ordered, semi-private seating)

A variety of boxed lunches are available at $8.75 each. Choose from a number of sandwich or salad options, which also include a bag of chips, whole piece of fruit, cookie and a drink. A timed reservation for semi-private seating will be arranged as part of your box lunch order.

Bringing Your Lunch (requires seating reservation)

Bringing lunches still requires scheduling a time and space to eat. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to choose the "Bringing our own" lunch option during reservation. 

Please prepare your lunches in advance:

• Mark each lunch with the group and individual names.
• Gather all lunches into a box or boxes marked with the name of the group and group leader.

An assigned 20-minute lunchtime and location will be provided during check-in at the Museum. The lunches will be delivered to the lunch area at your reservation time. Group lunches are booked back-to-back, so please arrive on time, and free up the lunch area for the next group as soon as your allotted time is up.

Convenient motorcoach access is available for drop-off and pick-up of your group in one of two locations: our Group Center entrance on the Museum's west side, and the Henry Crown Space Center entrance on the building's east side. Your reservation materials will confirm your assigned location and provide directions.

While not available at MSI, motorcoach parking is available at the McCormick Place truck marshalling yard, located at 31st Street and Lake Shore Drive. For more information on motorcoach parking and loading zones in the City of Chicago, please visit Choose Chicago.

Paid automobile parking is available in the Museum's underground garage. The garage clearance is 8'2", and entry from the garage to the Museum is wheelchair accessible.