Chicago Museum of Science and Industry?

[actaeon277]

I haven't been there since they moved the sub into the basement.
But, I'm pretty sure there's an exit at Hyde Park, and from there it's only a block to walk.
You'd have to check the South Shore site to be sure.

I did see the updated model railroad.

And yes, I've been on that sub a few dozen times.
And yes, I think they had more balls than me.

 

[oldpink]

I haven't been since I passed in review from boot camp at Great Lakes, but I recall that it was pretty cool, especially the U-505, the WWII-era German sub.

 

[historian]

We were just up there 3 weeks ago. First time going. Well worth it. Didn't do the sub as it was sold out by the time we got there, plus with kids, it wasn't worth it. But HOLY COW!!! THE SUB IS AWESOME!!!! As is the rest of the museum. We spent more time in the science lab area and got our money's worth there. Tesla coil, magnetic oil, launching hot air balloons. Very fun time was had by all. And we have a membership to our local Children's museum, so our whole family, plus one of our two friends got in free. Only had to pay for one ticket, parking ($22), and lunch (which let me tell you...that ain't cheap). Pack a lunch and you'll be good to go!

 

[IndyTom]

If you want to do the sub, get it scheduled ahead of time. One of my kids wasn't feeling great the night before, so I didn't pre-purchase tickets. When they were good the next morning, the sub was sold out.

 

[Alamo]

I visited the sub a few months ago, was definitely worth the visit. Would do it again. I spent about 3 hours with just the sub. The actual tour is not that long, but I read every exhibit on the way in (the hallway to the sub itself features several stops with films that tell the story of its capture), all the exhibits around the sub, and looked up more stuff on my phone. I even read everything on how they constructed the current exhibit, the building that contains the sub. By all means go see it. I was there during the week and there was no line, only wait was for enough people to show to start the tour. If you are hard of hearing like I am try to stay in the front, it's close quarters and single file in the sub and was hard for me to hear the guide, but I didn't care, I had a good time just looking at all the stuff and reading the labels on everything (in German, of course).

They offer military discounts, and I think firefighter, EMS, and cop discounts as well. I Uber'd to the museum from my hotel, we were at the Wyndham on Wacker, right across from the Trump building -- sounds like that was cheaper than parking. (Uber driver got lost on the return, one-star for him!).

Sounds like you already decided to go, but if not -- well worth it in my eyes.

 

[actaeon277]

3 hours on the sub


Might give me flashbacks.

 

[actaeon277]

Bit yes, there is a lot, just for the sub.
The museum can take days to really take it all in.

 

[Libertarian01]

My father was stationed in Chicago in the 60's.

Back then he said that if you looked at every piece for just one (1) minute, it would take eight (8) YEARS to see everything, and that is just what is on display.

If you haven't been there it is beyond imagination. Everything you could ever find fascinating is in there - somewhere.

It is like the Louvre. Both are beyond imagination.

Doug

 

[1DOWN4UP]

I too thought the Zepher,,#999,and the Spirit of America was also way cool.The Spirit was supposed to be gone back in 2015,but was still there last fall.Way too much for one day.

 

[Mgderf]

For my money, the U-505 exhibit alone would be worth the trip and expense for the entire museum.
Many, MANY fascinating exhibits, but NOTHING compares to that U-Boat.

I could not get over how small the sub itself is, how long the torpedoes are, and kept wondering how they got them inside the sub.
They give you an explanation, but I'd pay to watch one being on-loaded.

There is a cut-away torpedo in the waiting area for the sub tour.
I could have studied that thing for hours...

 

[historian]

Oh...And they have one of the Three Stuka bombers in existence.

 

[churchmouse]

Went there on a school trip (High School) and it is firmly etched in my memory. The sub was great. There were no extras then.

 

[spec4]

When the U-505 was dragged across Lake Shore Drive to the museum, my mother drove me down to see it. Interesting. I was on it many times as a kid when one could get in the museum for free. Also recall the sub USS Silversides was docked at Navy Pier and could be toured for free. The idiots who run Chicago decided they didn't want the Silversides so the town of Muskegon, MI took it. Worth a look if you are in that area.

 

[historian]

Went there on a school trip (High School) and it is firmly etched in my memory. The sub was great. There were no extras then.

Well, the U-Boat was brand new then...

 

[actaeon277]

For my money, the U-505 exhibit alone would be worth the trip and expense for the entire museum.
Many, MANY fascinating exhibits, but NOTHING compares to that U-Boat.

I could not get over how small the sub itself is, how long the torpedoes are, and kept wondering how they got them inside the sub.
They give you an explanation, but I'd pay to watch one being on-loaded.

There is a cut-away torpedo in the waiting area for the sub tour.
I could have studied that thing for hours...

I would imagine it loads the same as it does on US Subs.
There is a torpedo loading hatch in the top, above each torpedo room. WWII subs had a forward torpedo room, and an aft torpedo room, so they had two hatches.
The torpedo goes in at an angle.
And you have to be careful.
Very careful.


[video=youtube;4veIkDI54xw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4veIkDI54xw[/video]




A torpedo documentary.

[video=youtube;AJttDDx0Axs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJttDDx0Axs[/video]

 

[1DOWN4UP]

For my money, the U-505 exhibit alone would be worth the trip and expense for the entire museum.
Many, MANY fascinating exhibits, but NOTHING compares to that U-Boat.

I could not get over how small the sub itself is, how long the torpedoes are, and kept wondering how they got them inside the sub.
They give you an explanation, but I'd pay to watch one being on-loaded.

There is a cut-away torpedo in the waiting area for the sub tour.
I could have studied that thing for hours...

I too spent time looking at the cut away torpedoes.The Enigma was way cool.

 

[actaeon277]

Fall River, Massachusetts has a great naval museum. I've been there a few times.
Battleship Cove: Fall River, MA: Naval & Maritime Museum

They have a battleship, destroyer, submarine, and others.

 

[HoughMade]

...The idiots who run Chicago decided they didn't want the Silversides so the town of Muskegon, MI took it. Worth a look if you are in that area.

Saw it when I lived in Grand Rapids and we took a day trip to the beach in Muskegon. Super cool. At that time, they had a program where groups could rent out the sub for overnights. Don't know if they still do.

As for the U-505, i saw it in 6th grade when it was still outside the museum and you simply entered from a big hole cut in the side.

Now where it is, underground so you can walk the ramp all the way around it and see the entire collection, then inside the sub, it's much, much better. It's not just the sub, it's a whole wing (for lack of a better term) dedicated to WWII undersea warfare.

 

[nate77]

Saw it when I lived in Grand Rapids and we took a day trip to the beach in Muskegon. Super cool. At that time, they had a program where groups could rent out the sub for overnights. Don't know if they still do.

As for the U-505, i saw it in 6th grade when it was still outside the museum and you simply entered from a big hole cut in the side.

Now where it is, underground so you can walk the ramp all the way around it and see the entire collection, then inside the sub, it's much, much better. It's not just the sub, it's a whole wing (for lack of a better term) dedicated to WWII undersea warfare.

One more question, is the whole sub area extra, or just the on-board tour?

Thanks,

 

[churchmouse]

Well, the U-Boat was brand new then...

I knew that was coming.....

Think 1966