Timeline
09:30
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Head straight to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry when it opens. The building is vast, so use the first hour to dive into the hands-on exhibits and the famous Coal Mine. If you take your ticket to "Will Call" on the way out, you can return for free the next day, so there is no pressure to see everything at once.
11:00
Walk 15 minutes to Medici for lunch. This Italian spot is popular with students for a reason. Order fine thin-crust pizza or another Italian dish and settle into the fun ambiance of the downstairs seating area. It is a reliable stop that fits the mid-afternoon window.
12:00
Walk 12 minutes northeast to Promontory Point Park. This is a beautiful spot to take in the Chicago skyline view. Gaze off into the blue, enjoy the open space, and let the lake breeze wash away the museum fatigue. It is a perfect quiet end to the day.
Local tip
The museum is open 9:30AM-4PM daily. Medici is open Mo-Th 07:00-22:00, Fr 07:00-23:00, Sa 09:00-23:00, and Su 09:00-22:00. Promontory Point Park is accessible at all times.
Check before you go
- Museum hours vary in summer (until 5:30PM).
- Medici closes at 22:00 or 23:00 depending on the day.
- Check the CTA bus routes 2, 6, 10, 28, 55, or the Metra Electric Line if you need transport.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Chicago (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).