Adler Planetarium

The Basics

The Adler Planetarium incorporates legacy spaces, like the Atwood Sphere (the oldest planetarium in Chicago), with newer offerings like immersive theaters that screen different celestial shows. Companion exhibitions range from Mission Moon—which lets you discover real spacecraft—and Our Solar System, an introduction to Earth’s nearby planets.

Visit the Adler Planetarium as part of Chicago’s CityPASS or drop by on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city. Get tickets in advance and plan a museum day out at the nearby Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History too.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Adler Planetarium is fully accessible to wheelchair users. Guide dogs are also welcome, and wheelchairs can be rented on a first-come, first-served basis.

• There is parking available across the Museum Campus, and the Adler Planetarium maintains its own dedicated lot.

• The museum is accessible to visitors with young children and offers play areas and Young Explorers’ Mondays, complete with special events and activities.

• The Adler Planetarium hosts an on-site store, cafe, and free Wi-Fi; a paid coat check is also on site.

How to Get There

The Adler Planetarium is found on Chicago’s Museum Campus—part of Grant Park—and on Lake Shore Drive. If traveling via public transportation, take the Red, Orange and Green lines to Roosevelt station, or ME and SSL trains to Museum Campus/ 11th Street. Alternatively, use bus lines 130 or 146, or travel via bike, on foot, or by car.

When to Get There

The Adler Planetarium is open daily from morning to midafternoon, with extended hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The planetarium is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

The Doane Observatory

The Adler Planetarium also sponsors the Doane Observatory, the largest publicly available aperture telescope in the region. The observatory is located behind the main museum building and offers periodic (and fully safe) daytime viewing of the sun, as well as evening stargazing sessions.

How long is each show at Adler Planetarium?

The Adler Planetarium screens an array of award-winning sky shows, which bring the wonder of the cosmos—including celestial objects like the Moon and various planets—to life for audiences of all ages. Most of the planetarium's shows last about 30 minutes, and you can book to attend one or several.

What age is the Adler Planetarium for?

The Adler Planetarium is for visitors of all ages. While many of its exhibitions and sky shows are tailored towards young learners and visitors—and are particularly popular among local and visiting families—the planetarium describes its ideal target audience as anyone from 1 to 100 years old.

What does Adler Planetarium have?

The Adler Planetarium is one of the top planetariums in the country and offers visitors a wealth of experiences to discover. With three planetarium domes and an astrological observatory, the Adler also boasts extensive exhibition space and a schedule of shows. Its views over Lake Michigan aren't to be missed, either.

Can you bring food into Adler Planetarium?

No, you cannot bring outside food to the Adler Planetarium (the only exception is for visitors with dietary needs or severe allergies). That said, you can choose from a range of bites, snacks, and drinks at the planetarium's Cosmic Cafe, and vending machines are also provided on-site.

Is Adler Planetarium accessible?

Yes, the Adler Planetarium is accessible to wheelchair users and disabled visitors. It has an accessible entrance at the Leffmann Education Center, and manual wheelchairs are free to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. The planetarium's theaters have accessible seating, and it also maintains elevators throughout, as well as accessible restrooms.

Can you bring backpacks into Adler Planetarium?

Yes, you can bring backpacks to the Adler Planetarium. However, the planetarium does not provide a place to store them, so if you bring one, you need to wear it for your visit. For that reason, it's recommended to leave particularly heavy or bulky items at home.

Ways to explore

Visit the Adler Planetarium as part of Chicago’s CityPASS or drop by on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city to explore the exhibits at your own pace. Get tickets in advance and plan a museum day out covering the nearby Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum of Natural History, as well. To admire the planetarium’s historic architecture from the outside, join a city tour by bike or Segway; the lakefront complex is also visible from the water, and many Lake Michigan boat tours and cruises pass by as they skirt the city’s shoreline.

Accessibility

The planetarium is fully accessible, including its three sky show theaters.

Age limits

This family-friendly attraction offers the dedicated Clark Family Welcome Gallery, plus kid-focused permanent exhibits and sky shows.

What to pack

Camera and battery pack, cash or credit card for the Space Shop

What to wear

Layers (the planetarium is climate-controlled)

Not allowed

Photos and videos in the sky shows, food

Amenities

Café, restrooms, gift shop, Wi-Fi

Address

The Adler Planetarium is one of the few sights in downtown Chicago that is easy to reach by car and offers ample—though pricey—parking. The complex is also connected by bus from locations across the city and the Roosevelt train stop.

Driving

The planetarium is located in Chicago’s Museum Campus along South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, a short drive south of the Loop. There is a large paid parking area just outside the planetarium entrance.

Public transportation

Take buses 146 or 130 (summer only) to the Museum Campus stop. Bus 146 runs between the Roosevelt CTA train station (red, orange, and green lines) and the Museum Campus. It's a 25-minute walk from Roosevelt station, if you prefer.

Best times to visit

The Adler Planetarium offers timed tickets each Wednesday from the late afternoon through the evening, an ideal way to avoid the daytime crowds.

Best days to visit

For the school year, the planetarium is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays to accommodate field trips. Visit Monday and Friday–Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings to enjoy the planetarium at its quietest.

Best months to visit

This year-round attraction gets busy during the school year from September through May with field trip groups, while the summer months see more families and individual visitors.

Special events

The planetarium organizes astronomy-related events regularly throughout the year. Check the official website for an updated schedule.