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Adler Planetarium

Explore space at the Western Hemisphere’s first planetarium, with two domed theaters, 60,000 square feet of exhibitions, and the largest publicly accessible telescope in Chicagoland at the Doane Observatory. As you engage with hands-on activities and discover amazing facts about the universe, your day at Adler Planetarium will truly feel out-of-this-world!

Chicago CityPASS includes:

Museum Entry Plus Two Dome Shows – Admission includes all exhibitions, Community Design Labs, Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory experiences, plus choice of two Dome Shows.

Chicago C3 includes:

Museum Entry – Admission includes all exhibitions, Community Design Labs, Space Visualization Lab, and Doane Observatory experiences. (Dome Shows are not included.)

Explore cosmic evolution in Adler Planetarium’s Universe: A Walk Through Space and Time exhibit, where hands-on activities transform complex astronomy into an engaging space journey across billions of years.

Adler Planetarium sits on what was once an artificial island in Lake Michigan. The first, most northerly, and ultimately only one of a series of planned islands became a peninsula when a land link to the mainland was constructed soon after the Planetarium was built. The road, now called Solidarity Drive, provides one of the best panoramic views of the city skyline.

Highlights

  1. 01.

    Catch an immersive out-of-this-world show in one of two dome theaters.

  2. 02.

    Learn about diverse worlds — gas giants, ice giants, super Earths, and mini-Neptunes — across the galaxy in the newest exhibition, Other Worlds.

  3. 03.

    Follow the career of Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., commander of the Apollo 13 mission; learn the story of America's first steps on the Moon; and get up close to the Gemini 12 spacecraft in Mission Moon.

A young guest at Adler Planetarium explores Mars in the Other Worlds exhibit, where interactive elements reveal planetary systems, storm patterns, surface conditions, and more.

Visit Adler Planetarium with CityPASS®

CityPASS® tickets offer multiple great ways to see Adler Planetarium. No matter which you choose, you'll save.

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Advice for Visitors

Tips

To get the full experience, allow about three hours for your visit. If you're short on time, don't miss one of the Adler's award-winning Dome Shows.

Please note that Dome Shows may sell out, especially later in the day. Chicago CityPASS guests, book your first Dome Show when making your museum entry reservation; book your second show upon arrival. Chicago C3 guests, purchase Dome Show tickets upon arrival.

Stop by the Space Visualization Laboratory and try your hand at some of the interactive experiences that await.

Learn more on the CityPASS Blog about what you'll see at Adler Planetarium.

Attraction Features

Amenities

Dining: Cosmic Cafe

Shopping: Adler Space Shop

Accessibility

Visit Adler Planetarium's website for information on services for guests with specific needs.

Parking/Transportation

Get directions and information on parking and transportation.

Contact Information & Hours

  • Adler Planetarium
  • Museum Campus Chicago
  • 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
  • Chicago, IL 60605
  • Thu-Tues: 9am-4pm
  • Wed: 4-10pm (timed entry tickets)

Hours vary seasonally; check the schedule when planning your visit.

Last entry: One hour before closing

Wednesdays evenings are free for Illinois residents and may be busier than usual. CityPASS guests can walk up for a limited number of timed entry tickets at 4pm and 7pm. Advance reservations are not available for the evening hours.

Closed: Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday of November) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25)

Glowing touchscreen displays in Adler Planetarium’s Our Solar System exhibit take you on an exploration of the cosmic neighborhood. Vibrant lighting and immersive graphics transform the gallery into a colorful journey to distant moons, stars and planets.

Beneath its iconic copper-clad dome, Adler Planetarium has been inspiring curiosity about the universe since 1930. This Chicago lakefront landmark, an Art Deco beauty, was the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere.

Read reviews from CityPASS® travelers.

Chicago CityPASS
Vacationing with a family of 5
We have purchased CityPASS now for three cities: Southern California, New York and now Chicago. We have a family of 5 and this makes planning so easy and affordable!! Not to mention not standing in line for tickets!!!
Chicago CityPASS
The CityPASS was the perfect way to plan our stay in Chicago. I was able to show my daughter my favorite places in Chicago, and a few others as well. The CityPASS provided a better price, and skipping to the front of the line was like icing on the cake!.
Wonderful week in Chicago!
After doing much research about CityPASS and other group admission passes of the like, I knew I had to get the CityPASS. Chicago CityPASS gets you into 5 of the top sightseeing places - with an upgraded admission!
Great Price
My family came to visit us from Colombia. It was their first time in the states and I wanted to make sure their first vacation was more than what they expected it to be. When I came across the Chicago CityPASS online I knew it was just what I needed to make their trip memorable.
CityPASS Saved My Vacation and Marriage
We used Chicago CityPASS recently and it was a not only a vacation saver but a marriage saver. My husband and I would typically argue about which way to go and what to do next. The CityPASS was easy to use and offered detailed information as well as discounts.
Chicago CityPASS is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 14594.
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Seamless Interface This is an excellent purchase for first time visitors who want to experience a variety of attractions. It offers great value and flexibility, making it easy to explore at your own pace. The best feature is you can reserve time slots for attractions and easily modify your reservations if your plans change within the app! I highly recommend it for anyone looking to maximize their visit with minimal hassle
Date published: 2026-07-27
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Very affordable! This was my first visit to Chicago and there was tons I wanted to do! CityPASS helped me save money and included several add ons for the attractions. I will definitely use them again when traveling to other new cities.
Date published: 2026-07-26
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Worth it!! This was our first time using CityPass and we loved it! The pass included everything we were hoping to see on this trip. Tickets were easy to redeem and I especially enjoyed the added perks for CityPass such as express access, discounts at gift shops, and included extra experiences. Would definitely consider using the CityPass again.
Date published: 2026-07-25
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Highly recommend! I would recommend the CityPass to snyone. Good value and added convenience!
Date published: 2026-07-25
Rated 1 out of 5 by from Poor Customer Support One of the members of our group fell ill and couldn't attend an event. However, I was unable to cancel and get a refund. I'm never using citypass again.
Date published: 2026-07-25
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All images courtesy of Adler Planetarium