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The Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium ever built in the United States. It’s located at Museum Campus in Chicago.
Introduction to the Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium was founded by Max Adler (1866-1952), a former executive of Sears Roebuck & Co. The building was designed by Adler’s cousin, architect Ernest Grunsfeld Jr. (1897-1970), and constructed on the northern end of Northerly Island, an artificial island created in 1925. It opened to the public on May 12, 1930, and was declared a National Historic Landmark on February 27, 1987.
The planetarium features exhibits on space science and exploration, three theaters, a collection of scientific instruments, and several special events throughout the year. It also hosts the Doane Observatory, which is an active research center that opened in 1977. Hands-on and kid-friendly exhibits are located throughout the planetarium, while the Doane Observatory is periodically open for viewings.
Visiting the Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium is open Thursday through Tuesday from 9am to 4pm. On Wednesdays, tickets are on a timed entry from 4pm to 10pm.
There are a few ticket options for visitors including entry to the exhibitions and sky shows. Sky shows are considered a must-see on any visit to the planetarium. Check the official website for more information. Prices are current as of April 2025:
- Admission to the museum only is US$25 for adults, US$13 for kids age 3-11, and free for kids under 3
- A package including one sky show is US$32 for adults, US$20 for kids age 3-11, and free for kids under 3
- For two sky shows it’s US$40 for adults, US$28 for kids age 3-11, and free for kids under 3
Mission Moon
The first exhibit is Mission Moon. It tells the story of the lunar program and American space exploration through the eyes of astronaut Jim Lovell, the commander of Apollo 13.
One of the highlights of the exhibit is the 1966 Gemini 12 capsule piloted by Lovell and Buzz Aldrin. The Moon Wall is near the end of the exhibit and allows visitors to digitally explore different parts of the moon.
Other Worlds
A gallery titled Other Worlds gives information on each planet in the solar system. You get to see a replica Mars rover and touch a meteorite and a moon rock.
The Universe: A Walk through Space and Time
The Universe: A Walk through Space and Time covers the origin of the universe and the creation of galaxies, starts, planets, and atoms.
Historic Atwood Sphere
In the Historic Atwood Sphere, you can see what the night sky in Chicago looked like in 1913. The sphere is 17 feet in diameter and contains 692 holes drilled into its surface representing the positions of the brightest stars in the sky.
Universe In Your Hands
On the ground floor is Universe In Your Hands, an exhibit displaying 100 hand-held and tabletop devices from the historical collection of the planetarium. It covers the history of astronomy, the people who developed and used these tools, and the impact of astronomy on different cultures. Devices include sundials and astrolabes.
Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass
Telescopes: Through the Looking Glass explores instruments used for studying the heavens over a span of 400 years. It covers how telescopes work and also displays rare books, documents, and models.
