We visited the last Friday in April. To get there by the 9:30 opening, we traveled by bus instead of driving from our hotel on Michigan Ave. because it was cheaper ($10 for both of us, round trip) than paying the $22 parking fee, plus we didn't have to drive. The #2 bus dropped us off at 57th and Stoney Island Ave, which is only a block west of the museum, to get back we took the #6 bus, but during the summer months, the #10 bus drops you off right at the museum.
The exhibits were spectacular, I took the U-505 tour which was an extra $18 and took about 1/2 hour, but our tornado film inside the giant dome theater was included upon our request as part of our CityPass admission. The rocket and Apollo exhibits were outstanding, the transportation exhibits were great. I also enjoyed the farm tech exhibits, the extreme ice displays, the 727 plane exhibit, which you can walk through and various other displays including the various aircraft on display.
I did not get to see the coal mine or the Art of the Brick Gallery because they were extra add ons and I didn't have enough time. But, my wife saw the Coal Mine exhibit and enjoyed it. We were there all day until closing at 4pm and only took a 15 minute break to eat a snack and grab a cup of coffee. If I had another day, I would have liked to come back and see more.
If you go, wear comfortable shoes due to all the walking. Also, don't schedule too many add on exhibits such as the Brick Gallery, U-boat tour, tornado film, etc. or you won't get to see the whole museum.
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