Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium is an astronomical museum and planetarium in Chicago, US, situated on Northerly Island along the shore of Lake Michigan. The twelve-sided complex houses multiple domed theaters, space science exhibition rooms, and a collection of historical scientific instruments that give visitors an overview of astronomical development.

The facility opened in 1930 as the first planetarium in America and expanded public astronomical education across the country. Recognition as a National Historic Landmark came in 1987 due to its decades of work advancing astronomy education.

The name honors Max Adler, a Chicago businessman who donated this facility to the public. The building sits on Northerly Island, a peninsula shaped by landfill in Lake Michigan, and offers visitors access to astronomical shows and artifacts that generations of Chicagoans have visited for nearly a century.

The location sits at 1300 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive and is accessible by car or public transit. A visit typically takes about two hours depending on how many shows and exhibition areas you choose to see.

The Doane Observatory holds Chicago's largest public telescope with a diameter of 20 inches (51 centimeters). Visitors can use it on clear nights to view planets, star clusters, and other celestial objects up close.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1930

Founders: Max Adler

Architects: Ernest Grunsfeld, Jr

Address: South Lake Shore Drive

Website: http://adlerplanetarium.org

GPS coordinates: 41.86615,-87.60667

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:01