The Adler opened on May 12, 1930 as the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, and continues today to interpret the exploration of the Universe for the broadest possible audience.

From its founding the Adler has been both a planetarium and an astronomy museum. When Max Adler gave a Zeiss planetarium projector and a domed building to house it to the people of Chicago, he donated at the same time a large collection of antique scientific instruments that he had purchased from A.W.M. Mensing in Amsterdam. The Mensing collection of about 500 instruments remains at the heart of the Adler's historical collections.

A feature attraction of the Adler Planetarium is its sky show, presenting current topics in astronomy and related sciences.

$3.00 for adults
$2.00 for children age 4- 17
$2.00 for senior citizens age 65 and over
On Tuesdays admission to the museum is free
Sky show ticket an additional $3

Groups over 15 persons are welcome to make reservations.

Adler's location:
1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

Motorists Northbound on Lake Shore Drive
turn right at McFetridge Drive, which is immediately north of Soldier Field. Then go east between the Field Museum and the Park District Building, follow the road left, turn right onto Solidarity Drive, and then proceed east to the Planetarium.

Motorists Southbound on Lake Shore Drive
turn right at Roosevelt road, left at Columbus, and then turn left again at McFetridge Drive. Take McFetridge Drive over Lake Shore Drive, and continue east between the Field Museum and the Park District Building. Follow the road left, turn right onto Solidarity Drive, and then proceed east to the Planetarium.

Motorists Eastbound
take either Roosevelt Road east or Columbus Drive south to the intersection of Roosevelt and Columbus. From there, continue south on Columbus and turn left at McFetridge Drive. Take McFetridge Drive over Lake Shore Drive, and continue east between the Field Museum and the Park District Building. Follow the road left and then turn right onto Solidarity Drive, and then proceed east to the Planetarium.

Public Transportation Bus Service
from downtown Chicago is available on the
#146 Marine/Michigan southbound CTA bus ,
#130 Grant Park east/southbound CTA bus,or the
#12 Roosevelt bus which comes from the west side of the city.
NOTE: The #146 bus runs daily, year round. The #130 bus runs only on weekends and holidays, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Call the RTA Travel Center at 836-7000 from area codes 312, 708 or 815 for more information on bus and train travel.

Phone the Adler at 312-322-STAR(7827).

Parking In addition to a half-mile of street parking, buses and other vehicles will find parking in the large lot located only a few feet south of the museum entrance. During this year's construction on Lake Shore Drive, follow the yellow "Museum Campus" signs. For information about use and cost, call Standard Parking at 312-558-6165.