The Largest Science Museum In The Western Hemisphere Is Actually In Illinois

Thousands of museums across the United States are on a mission to share information and experiences with their communities, but some of them stand out more than others. One such standout is the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry on the northern side of Jackson (Andrew) Park in Chicago, Illinois, the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere and one of the biggest in the world.

Renamed in May 2024 in honor of a former Chicagoan and museum donor, the Griffin MSI was established in 1933, and its 1893 building from the Columbian Exposition is over 400,000 square feet in size. It was inspired by the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany, which is more than 215,000 square feet.

The Griffin MSI was the first interactive museum on the continent, and the staff utilizes every bit of space, including the vertical space, to fit as many displays, hands-on exhibits, and films as possible to stimulate scientific creativity and inquiry in visitors' minds. Since it opened, more than 180 million people have enjoyed the museum and experiences like the one that inspired founder Julius Rosenwald to create it — his child's interest in an interactive display at a museum. However, the venue takes science beyond its walls, too, bringing science to life for all ages through educational initiatives in classrooms.

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry has several permanent and iconic exhibits that visitors shouldn't miss. Perhaps the most well known is the U-505 Submarine from World War II. It's the only German sub in the United States and has stood as a memorial to American sailors since 1954. Informational displays around it depict the story of its capture and the key to keeping it secret from the Germans. Special on-board tours are even available, allowing visitors to experience life on the sub through sound and lighting effects.

The longest-standing exhibit at the Griffin MSI, though, is the Coal Mine. This favorite takes visitors underground, providing an immersive experience about where coal is found and mining with narration, a ride on the work train, and demonstrations of harvesting machinery. Another long-standing exhibit, the Henry Crown Space Center opened in 1986 and showcases breakthroughs in space exploration. Guests can observe iconic space artifacts, like the Apollo 8 Command Module and the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft.

Meanwhile, Science Storms is a permanent exhibit that stimulates the senses, allowing you to see and experiment with various natural phenomena. Watch 1.5 million-volt lightning strikes, control a 40-foot tornado, create a tsunami, and mix elements from various parts of the periodic table together.