When we were planning our trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the U-505 tour of the only German submarine in the United States wasn’t originally on my, um…sonar. The money we had saved for our visit was earmarked for the Lego exhibit. But then I discovered that they have a special school rate for tours and exhibits, which they kindly extend to homeschoolers. So we ended up getting tickets not only for Brick by Brick, but for the U-505 tour, as well, for a little less than I was planning on spending on the Lego exhibit alone!
The tour, which lasts about a half and hour, is very well narrated, and includes many sound effects and light changes, which really make you feel like you’re in the middle of a battle. It was really interesting to see and smell the history of the boat, and being on board really makes you understand just how cramped the quarters were.
For those who don’t have time for the tour, or don’t want to pay for the tickets, there is still plenty to learn about the U-505 in the surrounding exhibit:
I’m so glad we were able to find a way to go on this tour…we all learned a lot, and it really made us feel like we were experiencing the history of the boat and the time period!
Wow I never knew homeschool students could get the discount. Thank you for the the tip.
Can you tell me more about that? Did you have to contact them before you went? What did you have to show to prove it?
Does this work if you have a membership to another place that gives you free entry?
OK, so here’s what I know. We do have a membership to the St. Louis Science Center, so we could have gotten in free to the Museum of Science and Industry with our reciprocal membership, or because we are homeschoolers. The reciprocity did not apply to any special exhibits/tours, however, which is where the homeschool discount came in. Homeschool reservations can be made online here:
Field trip reservations
I don’t know what happens if you’re not a resident of Illinois; you may have to call to receive a discount. You have to call (773) 684-1414 to pay for any tours or exhibits at the discounted rate, and they hold them for you at will call. I didn’t have to show anything, but I don’t know if that can change depending on the mood of the ticket agent.