Chicago Museums

No trip to Chicago is complete without visiting its fine museums. First on your list should be the Field Museum of Natural History, located at Museum Campus just south of Grant Park. The Field Museum features “Sue”, the world’s largest, most complete, and best-preserved T-Rex. Museum Campus is also the site for the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. Also on your list of “must-sees” is Chicago’s south-side Museum of Science and Industry, which is the oldest science museum of its kind in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most visited museums in the world. And on Michigan Avenue, where Adams Street ends, is the Art Institute with its famous lions adorning the front entrance.

Chicago is a city rich in ethnic diversity, further evidenced by its museums. We have the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, the DuSable Museum of African-American History, the Spertus Museum of Judaica, the Oriental Institute Museum and the Swedish American Museum Center, just to name a few.

Children will find learning fun at the Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier and the Kohl Children’s Museum located in Wilmette, just north of the city.

If you plan to visit a number of museums during your stay in Chicago, you may want to purchase a CityPass or a Go Chicago Card. These cards include admission to some of Chicago's most popular attractions. See our Attractions Discount Card Comparison for more details. Also see our list of the Most Popular Museum Exhibits.

Also, many of the museums are free or offer specific free days. Check here for more information.

Links:

• Map of Chicago's Most Popular Museums.

• Most Popular Museum Exhibits

Other Chicago Museums

A. Philip Randolph/George M. Pullman (Historic North Pullman) Museum Gallery
American Bar Association Museum of Law
American Police Center and Museum
Charles Gates Dawes House
225 Greenwood St., Evanston, IL 60201
847-475-3410, email: evanstonhs@northwestern.edu
Visit the magnificient Chateauesque mansion of the man who rose higher in politics than any other Chicagoan -- U.S. Vice President, World War I Brigadier General and Nobel Laureate Charles Gates Dawes. This faithfully restored National Historic Landmark was Dawes valued private retreat from 1909 until his death in 1951. The house has been restored to the 1920s era, the period of Dawes' greatest international contributions and is enhanced by the family's original furnishings.
Chicago Architecture Foundation
DuPage Children's Museum 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, Il 60540
Edgewater Historical Society
5358 N. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60640
773-506-4849
Our open days are currently on Saturday afternoons from 1 to 4pm. Special visitor hours may be made by phoning our museum or emailing us through our website. The memories of the old and World-renowned Edgewater Beach Hotel is exhibited in our Museum.  Our organization specializes in preservation; oral histories; photos of the community; education of the children through classes, slide shows, DVDs and lectures; and reaching out to the aging by bringing these to their retirement complexes. We hold fundraisers, house tours, neighborhood walking tours, classes, speakers and authors, exhibits and displays. We display and preserve the archives of some organizations and individuals of the community.
Elgin Public Museum
Lords Park, 225 Grand Blvd, Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 741-6655, email: marilynepm@cityofleing.org
The Elgin Public Museum of Natural History and Anthropology is the oldest structure in the State of Illinois that was originally constructed to house a museum and still serves that purpose today.
Illinois State Museum
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
756 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60622, 312-243-9088 martha@art.org
Founded in 1991 by a group of Chicago artists, collectors, art dealers and business professionals, Intuit promotes public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of intuitive and outsider art through a program of education and exhibitions. Intuit recognizes the creative work of individuals who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world and seem motivated by their unique personal visions.
International Museum of Surgical Science
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
800 South Halsted, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
312-413-5358, email: info@hullhousemuseum.org
An orientation film, informative docent lead tours and engaging exhibits tell the story of 20th century progressive reform. Jane Addams and the residents of Hull-House created opportunities for civic discourse and dialogue, advocated for public health, fair labor practices, full citizenship rights for immigrants, public education, recreational and public space, public arts, and free speech. The Museum is located in two beautiful National Historic Landmark buildings of the original Hull-House complex at the original Hull-House site. The Museum continues the historic settlement house vision, linking research, education, and social engagement.
Leather Archives & Museum
6418 N Greenview Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
773-761-9200, email: archives@leatherarchives.org
The compilation, preservation and maintenance of leather lifestyle and related lifestyles [including but not limited to the Gay and Lesbian communities], history, archives and memorabilia for historical, educational and research purposes.
Museum of Holography/Chicago
The Holograhic Center- The World's Most Complete Facility for Display and Sale of Artistic and Scientific Holography, Holographic Instruction and Production of Commercial Holograms. A teaching and research facility specifically dedicated to displaying, promoting, and encouraging the advancement of holography.
McCormick Tribune Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Corner of Michigan Ave. and Wacker Drive
312-977-0227
Located inside a historic five-story tower on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, the museum reveals the fascinating natural and cultural history of the Chicago River. The climb to the top is rewarded with unrivaled views of the river.
The Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences Fullerton Parkway & Cannon Drive.
The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
1431 West Taylor Street Chicago, Illinois 60607
312-226-5566, email: danielle@niashf.org
The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame (NIASHF) is a museum and educational institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage, culture and history of Italian Americans who have made significant contributions to sports and society. the NIASHF was founded on the values of Family, Friends, Faith and Community.
The Peace Museum
The Peace Museum is actively dedicated to exploring creative, nonviolent solutions to social issues through education, community involvement, and exhibitions chronicling local, national and international efforts to attain peace.
Prairie Avenue House Museums
Pritzker Military Library
610 N. Fairbanks Court, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL, 60611
312-587-0234, email: info@pritzkermilitarylibrary.net
Free and open to the public.
M-F 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Non-partisan library with an extensive collection of books, videos, uniforms, medals, vintage posters and paintings related to American military history. Scheduled events with authors and Medal of Honor recipients most Thursdays at 6PM.
Randolph Street Gallery
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
2320 WEST CHICAGO AVENUE
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60622
773-227-5522 · HOURS: W, Th, Sa & Su, 12 - 4pm
The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA) was founded in 1971 by Dr. Achilles Chreptowsky in the heart of Chicago's Ukrainian Village at 2320 W Chicago Avenue. Three storefronts were transformed into a viable musem serving the local community and the greater Chicago area with an ongoing program of cultural exhibitions, literary events, film screenings and music recitals.

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