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Museums in Chicago

THE 10 BEST Chicago Museums

Museums in Chicago

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Recommended Museum Tickets and Passes (12)

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What travellers are saying

  • Joe M
    Houston, TX2,691 contributions
    Do not try to do this in an hour or 2 or 3 ... the art deserves more!
    Tip have your home town museum card - they have a great reciprocal program (not listed on website). Place has century's of art and buildings. The buildings span rail lines and many levels. The room numbers will help you find the Hopper, Renoir, Wood, Seurat, Cassatt or O'Keeffe. Docents are very helpful when you do not know your building that you are in....
    There are two places to grab a bite. The Market has hot meals and a bar plus outdoor seating while the Modern Café is coffee and snacks.
    Review of: The Art Institute of Chicago
    Written 3 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Melissa N
    17 contributions
    Great museum, but they nickel and dime you
    Really great museum! Extremely interactive! The docents were so kind and patient with our five year old son. We ate lunch on site and it was delicious!

    The museum is huge. Don’t try to see it all in one visit. We did the vortex exhibit, transportation, coal mine, and the mirror maze. It was plenty for one visit with a five year old.

    The only drawback is that so many exhibits are extra money.
    Review of: Museum of Science and Industry
    Written 3 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charlotte S
    14 contributions
    The "What's New" walking tour
    We took the CAC's "What's New" walking tour of more recent buildings. It was a most informative overview that covered the history, context, and influences that went into about 10 of the more recent buildings. It was about a 1.5 mile walk with some stairs and took 1.5 hours. Highly recommended if you want to understand more about more recent architectural influences and structures in the city.
    Review of: Chicago Architecture Center
    Written 2 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kates5283
    Cincinnati, OH176 contributions
    Sue the T-Rex is a must see!
    If you have a dinosaur lover in your family like we do, this is a must see! Our non-dinosaur loving kiddo enjoyed the other exhibits in the museum, as did we. But the highlight was our self-proclaimed "dino nerd" nine year old almost in tears when he finally got to see Sue the T-rex in person! He was beyond excited. The museum flow is really wonderful here, too. A lot of museums have you somewhat bottlenecked in exhibits, but not this one. I have fond memories of this museum from a school trip in Junior High and I'm glad that my kids also now have fond memories of this museum. With the addition of the spinosaurus, our's 9 year old's favorite dinosaur, we will now how to make another trip to this wonderful museum and we cannot wait!
    Review of: Field Museum
    Written 15 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DRBHersheyPA
    Palmyra, PA9 contributions
    The home is a piece of art!
    A beautiful home that has been beautifully restored. The home is a piece of art!
    Guided tour was worth the money! I would not have understood and appreciated the home and articles in the home beyond their beauty if not for the tour guide explaining the history behind the home and furnishings.
    The black and white historical photos in each room depicting what it looked like in its day were so helpful bridging the gap between today and yester-years.
    A treasure to step back in time to the gilded age.
    Review of: Richard H. Driehaus Museum
    Written 1 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Marcin W
    1 contribution
    More intense than I thought it would be
    The museum is quite big and quite graphic! Shows a lot of different ways the people were tortured in the past. Plays a moody music in the background for an even better experience.
    Review of: Medieval Torture Museum
    Written 3 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hrobinson1114
    Nashville, TN2,769 contributions
    Not the typical touristy museum
    I underestimated this museum and did not allot nearly enough time. It is small (located on the second floor of a multi-use building in the tourist district), but packed full of info.

    That being said, this museum is not for everyone. It’s almost all reading. And there is a LOT of reading. This isn’t so much a whirlwind tourist museum or a mega-stimulating must do attraction. This is more of a rainy day activity or an activity to do on a day where you don’t plan to do much else or don’t have a tight schedule.

    This museum is mainly for readers and writers. There are several sections that highlight various areas of reading and writing. The first section is somewhat of a literature/author timeline. It progresses from early literature and authors—their subject matter, their style, the political implications of their work—through more modern writing, explaining how each writer impacted literature and the world around them.

    There is also a section on writing by Black authors. This section was done so well. It wasn’t whitewashed and didn’t avoid the most painful parts of this topic. There was a beautiful art exhibit, in multiple mediums and textures, highlighting black authors and activists. And there is a timeline of Black authors, giving examples of prominent writers from each era, and how they contributed to the struggle or how they expressed the effect of oppression.

    And there is a large section of prominent authors and their bios/famous quotes.

    There are also some fun interactive spots—typing on a typewriter, writing your immigrant story. And something I thought was fun—an activity on habits and fuel—where you could touch something like “a fuel,” and learn H.P. Lovecraft loved eating donuts. Or another author only needed whiskey and cigars. Or learn about the idiosyncratic writing habits and rituals of authors.

    Again, be prepared to read. There are even spots to sit down and read and relax. Don’t expect flashy. But this would be a great museum for a planned day of quiet reflection and learning, followed by a nice lunch or dinner and maybe a walk along the beach.
    Review of: American Writers Museum
    Written 20 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Voyager
    Chicago, IL1 contribution
    Smart Family fun!
    Awesome! Informative and interesting for kids and the big kids! I really recommend a visit if you're on town.
    Review of: Chicago History Museum
    Written 20 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EaglesNest
    Dallas, TX97 contributions
    Outstanding!
    Newly renamed the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, this hidden gem was established in 1919, is the University of Chicago's interdisciplinary research center for ancient Near Eastern studies and archaeology museum. It was founded for the university by professor James Henry Breasted. It conducts research on ancient civilizations throughout the Near East, including at its facility, Chicago House, in Luxor, Egypt. The institute also publicly exhibits an extensive collection of artifacts related to ancient civilizations and archaeological discoveries at its on-campus building in Hyde Park, Chicago. According to anthropologist William Parkinson of the Field Museum, the ISAC's highly focused "near Eastern, or southwest Asian and Egyptian" collection is one of the finest in the world.
    Review of: Oriental Institute Museum
    Written 12 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • JaninePor
    Boston, MA64 contributions
    Worth a visit!
    Loved it! The money museum is not advertised. You need to enter the Federal Reserve building. The guard in charge of the museum was very helpful and informative and nice. In the museum itself there is much to learn and see. A million dollars in ones, twenties and hundreds. There are several military displays that show the money used during war time. You need to go if you have an interest in money. As a side note the washrooms in the museum are clean.
    Review of: Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
    Written 4 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anna P
    Lucca, Italy71 contributions
    Perfect place to be with kids!
    This place is incredible, I wish I was a kid myself to play all around. We just visited with a 4 and a 8yo. They have different scenarios: you can be an explorer looking for dinosaurs fossils, a climber, a fireman in a fireplace department, you can play with water in a giant water carousel, you can do construction and you can also built a house. This are only a few thing of all the things you can be at the Chicago Children Museum. We loved it!! The people working there where always very nice and kind with us. Thank you so much for this great experience!
    Review of: Chicago Children's Museum
    Written 13 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hrobinson1114
    Nashville, TN2,769 contributions
    Amazed by how much I loved this vibrant museum!
    I'm almost always open minded and love exploring new cultures and experiences, but I was really amazed by how much I loved this museum!

    It's smaller and unassuming, located in the Mexican dominant community of Pilsen in Chicago (they also have several great murals and some awesome street art). It's also free! (Donations appreciated).

    I love edgy, provocative art, as well as art that leans to the darker or more serious side. I was surprised by how many political and intellectually stimulating pieces were on site, though in retrospect I shouldn't have been!

    The museum is broken up into a few different galleries. The first is a rotation selection of their permanent collection. Currently this section explores Mexican identity, religion, immigration, struggles with capitalism, imperialism, worker's rights, death, and more.

    There was also a small exhibit on youth participation in neighborhood activities and how local programs and community investment can make a neighborhood better.

    There is also a special exhibit by a visiting artist, and this particular exhibit had huge, colorful, modern pieces featuring stylish and ambitious Mexican youth.

    The museum also takes care to feature Chicago area artists.

    I learned a LOT about Mexican history, life, and culture here. There is a good bit of print--not a TON--but enough that I took photos to study and read more carefully later. Print is in English and Spanish.

    There is parking next to the museum. For two hours, I paid around four bucks. I would plan at least an hour and a half or two hours to really appreciate the exhibits.

    There are also a lot of local vendors and restaurants nearby, serving Mexican cuisine.
    Review of: National Museum of Mexican Art
    Written 13 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Famsol67
    Hampshire224 contributions
    Well worth a visit whether with children or not.
    I was in Chicago last month with my partner. We went to many places for most of which I have written reviews.

    We had visited this place the day before we got in but it was a public holiday and it was closed.

    When we did get in we found a good place. There is more than enough for adults but there is even more that suits children.

    They run educational sessions through the day which are paid for at entry. I could have seen them all at a lower price than the neighbouring aquarium! See my review "Too Expensive".

    Unfortunately my partner hates Pink Floyd. She used to work for a member of the Band and wants nothing to do with him or the Band at all.

    I say unfortunately for two reasons. First I like their music. Second, the planetarium runs a session that is all about the moon but runs to the music of the Pink Floyd album "The Dark Side of the Moon." I did not leave my partner to sit alone while I experienced that show. What we did watch was good but I will always leave a planetarium unwillingly because the subject - space - is SO intriguing.

    The location is also lovely. Beach to the east. Chicago skyline to the west. Soldier Field (military memorial, Special Olympics memorial and Chicago Bears & Chicago Fire Soccer team stadium) nearby.

    Easy to get to by bus from the Magnificent Mile. Catch the 146 and it goes all the way by a circuitous route.

    Alternatively walk the length of the Magnificent Mile (it is more than a mile!) and turn left just before Soldier Field.
    Review of: Adler Planetarium
    Written 7 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • A Midlife Adventure
    Dursley, UK1,292 contributions
    Lovely local nature exhibit
    As we queued up outside in preparation for opening amongst the many Mums with their toddlers and pre school children we were a bit concerned that there wouldn’t be anything of value for us to see. But on entering this small but informative nature centre we were pleasantly surprised.
    Wandering around the exhibits we learnt a great deal and particularly enjoyed the Without a Trace photographs and could have sat and watched the Mike McDonald photography sequence over and over again, it was just stunning!
    We loved the butterfly garden, took loads of photos and enjoyed this moment of calm.
    Review of: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
    Written 18 June 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Itinerant_Foodies
    Greensboro, NC632 contributions
    Very interesting tour--well done
    A fascinating guided tour which highlights the interior, exterior, grounds, and neighborhood (of 150 years ago). We loved the interior but, along with their neighbors 150 years ago, thought that the exterior was unattractive. The story of Frances Glessner Lee's interest in solving crime using forensics techniques is a significant addition to the house tour. Even if you're staying somewhere downtown, this is well worth traveling a bit south on the metro to see the house and take the tour.
    Review of: Glessner House Museum
    Written 7 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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