Swinging Through Science and Nostalgia: My Day at MSI’s "Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing" Exhibit

Jul 29
4 min read

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I’ve been visiting the Museum of Science and Industry since I was a little kid—back when you could barely see over the exhibit signs and still got a thrill from pressing buttons just to see what happens. And honestly? Not much has changed.

It’s still my favorite museum in a city packed with world-class institutions. The Art Institute might be an artistic holy site, and the Field Museum has that iconic dinosaur and oodles of ancient wonders.

But for sheer fun, wonder, and the smell of popcorn science, the Museum of Science and Industry—now officially the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry since 2024—is where my heart lives.

Tucked into the old Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World’s Fair in Jackson Park, it's a place that connects the past, the future, and your inner 10-year-old all at once.

Originally opened in 1933 and endowed by Julius Rosenwald (the Sears Roebuck guy with a heart of gold), MSI is a jaw-dropper: a full-size coal mine you can descend into, the actual German U-505 submarine from WWII, a United Airlines Boeing 727 you can board, the Pioneer Zephyr train, and even the Apollo 8 command module.

There’s an interactive farm exhibit with hatching chicks, mind-bending physics stations, a brain exhibit, computers, robotics, and a model railroad so intricate you could get lost in it. And yeah, the hallway where you whisper into one end and your friend hears you at the other—pure magic.

So when I heard that Spider-Man was swinging into the joint? Well, Julie (my girlfriend and fellow nostalgia junkie) and I had to check it out.

Enter: Marvel’s Spider-Man – Beyond Amazing

The moment you walk into the two-gallery space (formerly home to the James Bond exhibit), you’re pulled into the web of one of the most iconic superheroes of all time. This is not just an exhibit. It’s an experience. A celebration. A full-blown Spider-Verse brought to life.

You start with the origins. There’s Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, and the birth of a character who would become not just a friendly neighborhood superhero, but a cultural icon. Giant blown-up comic panels, first-edition covers, vintage illustrations all gorgeously lit—it’s like walking through a living graphic novel.

Then you move into modern territory. Newer comic interpretations, movie memorabilia, video game worlds. Costumes and props from every cinematic incarnation—from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to Tom Holland.

Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, the villains (Venom, Green Goblin, Sandman)—they’re all here. Life-size statues hang from ceilings, pose for selfies, and leap off walls. And let me tell you—when Spider-Man is dangling over your head like he’s mid-swing? That’s a Kodak moment.

The interactivity is next level. Cutting-edge tech that puts you inside Spider-Man’s world. You can draw your own version of Spidey (Julie and I did—our creations now hang proudly in her office), watch animated clips, explore behind-the-scenes video on comic creation, and yes, hear the classic “Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can” theme song over and over again. It's a full-sensory overload—and it rules.

A Fan’s Journey

Look, I’m not a hardcore comic guy. I didn’t collect issues growing up. But I did love the old cartoons, and I absolutely adore the Sam Raimi movies—especially Spider-Man 2, which remains one of the best superhero films ever made.

And the Spider-Verse animated movies? Legit masterpieces. They capture everything that’s brilliant about the character: creativity, heart, humor, and a sense of wonder that’s sorely missing in most modern blockbusters.

So yeah, I’m a fan. And Julie, who wasn’t as familiar with Spider-Man lore going in, came out with a newfound appreciation for the whole universe—Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Todd McFarlane, you name it.

She fell for the mythology, the art, and the emotional depth behind the mask. And that’s the beauty of this exhibit—it turns casual visitors into true believers.

We learned so much. Did you know there was a special-edition Spider-Man comic in the '70s featuring the original SNL Not Ready for Prime Time Players?

Or that Spidey had crossovers with Sesame Street and The Electric Company? I didn’t—but now I do. And I love him even more for it.

A Day to Remember

After the exhibit, we grabbed lunch in the museum’s downstairs food court—which brought back another wave of nostalgia. Then we hit the classic MSI spots: Farm Tech, the U-505, the hatching chicks, the echo chamber. You have to make a full day of it when you're at MSI.

We left with huge smiles, a bag of Spider-Man merch, two hand-drawn Spideys, and a heart full of joy. Whether you're a hardcore comic book lifer or someone who just likes good stories, good art, and a day well spent—you’ll love this exhibit.

Final Thoughts

Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing is not just for superfans. It’s for kids, families, casual viewers, nostalgic Gen Xers like me, and anyone who appreciates the magic of storytelling.

It’s colorful, informative, interactive, inspiring, and downright fun. This is the MSI at its best—educational and entertaining, nostalgic and forward-thinking.

I’ve seen a lot of museum exhibitions in my life. This one is among the most entertaining, immersive, and joy-inducing I’ve ever experienced.

If your spider-senses are tingling... you need to listen to them.

🎟️ Ticket Information

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition requires a timed-entry ticket in addition to General Admission.

Advance purchase is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.

Mon–Thu (except holidays) Adults: $18 | Children (3–11): $14
Fri–Sun & Holidays Adults: $22 | Children (3–11): $16
MSI Members: $9
- Explorer Society: Free for one visit
- Catalyst Society and higher: Free