Adler Planetarium wheelchair accessibility

Adler Planetarium sits at the eastern tip of Chicago's Museum Campus at 1300 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, on a peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan. The Museum Campus is a flat lakefront site connected by paved paths.

The Adler recommends public transit: take the CTA to Roosevelt (Red, Orange, Green lines) or Metra to Museum Campus. From Roosevelt the planetarium is the farthest of the three Museum Campus venues from the L stop, about a 1.2-mile roll east along the level Museum Campus path. The 146 Museum Campus bus runs from Roosevelt to the planetarium and is the easiest option in a wheelchair. The 130 Museum Campus bus runs seasonally (mid-May through Labor Day).

By car, take DuSable Lake Shore Drive to McFetridge Drive. Paratransit drop-off and WAV taxi access are on the Adler's loop road, with the Leffmann Education Center entrance on the right.

Enter at the Leffmann Education Center, to the right of the main entrance when you face the museum. The Leffmann entrance opens onto a step-free lobby with a box office. The grand main entrance has stairs and is not the accessible route.

Manual wheelchairs are free at both box offices on a first-come basis with photo ID. If you need a powered chair or scooter, bring your own, the Adler does not loan electric mobility devices.

Elevators reach every floor. The mid-level holds the accessible restrooms (north and south sides), the main rotating exhibition gallery, and the historic Atwood Sphere.

Sky Show access from the first floor needs staff assistance. The Johnson Family Star Theater (Sky Theater), the smaller Definiti Space Theater, and the Samuel C. Johnson Family Star Theater each have designated wheelchair seating with companion seats next to it. Reserve those seats at the box office when you choose your show time.

Free assistive listening devices are available at the box offices for show audio. Sky Shows include narration and are subtitled where possible.

Service animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability are welcome throughout the public areas. The Adler runs sensory-friendly programming on select dates; check the events calendar before planning if you prefer a quieter visit.

Buy Museum Entry plus the Sky Show you most want to see; one Sky Show costs 32 dollars total for adults and is the standard combo. Annual Star Pass membership at 65 dollars pays for itself by the second visit if you live locally.

The lakefront view from the Adler's plaza is one of the best step-free skyline photos in Chicago. Combine the planetarium with the Field Museum on a separate day rather than the same; both want a focused 2 to 3 hours.

Address: 1300 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Accessible entrance at the Leffmann Education Center. Elevators to every floor. Free wheelchairs at both box offices. Wheelchair seating in all three theaters. Sky Theater elevator needs staff assistance. Accessible restrooms on the mid-level. Free assistive listening devices. Museum Entry 25 dollars; with one Sky Show 32 dollars. Last admission one hour before close. Nearest CTA: Roosevelt.