Art Museums in Chicago

THE 10 BEST Chicago Art Museums

Art Museums in Chicago

  • Traveller favourites
    Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
  • Traveller ranking
    Highest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveller reviews.
Types of Attractions
Museums
Museums
Traveller rating
Neighbourhoods
Good for
29 places sorted by traveller favourites

What travellers are saying

  • Doron Z
    Tel Aviv, Israel226 contributions
    Very interesting art museum with a wide variety of exhibits. Need a full day to cover all of it, or even more.
    Written 19 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
    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.
    Written 1 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • hrobinson1114
    Nashville, TN2,766 contributions
    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.
    Written 13 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Bastian
    Copenhagen, Denmark115 contributions
    The museum is not very large compared to other contemporary art museums but it makes good use of the space. You can easily see all exhibitions in a couple of hours. There is a good mix of different artistic styles on display.
    Written 23 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mikey
    2 contributions
    this is a fun small museum with an interesting collection. We take all our visitors here. You need a couple hours here and it is something a bit different in the city.
    Written 10 January 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • A Z
    Indianapolis, IN186 contributions
    Small museum in a very walkable neighborhood. Free connected parking lot but street parking is abundant. Door was locked so you had to ring doorbell for entry. Very friendly people greeted us. Admission was $10 per adult but included free tour guide who took us through the three levels of the building seeing exhibits and explaining history. Favorite part was the art gallery on the top floor - very unique brush technique on the paintings. We went on a Friday afternoon so museum was empty and all to ourselves. Very intimate experience with knowledgeable and friendly guide.
    Written 6 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neta_Avivi
    Tel Aviv, Israel3,546 contributions
    Intuit is a museum dedicated to presenting self-taught art, the work of artists outside of the mainstream art. I loved it! While I visited, they presented Jerry’s Map by Jerry Gretzinger and "Surrender to Survival" by Justin Duerr. It is a wonderful place to get familiar with unique artists. They also have a small shop carrying cool artsy items - a great place for buying gifts.
    Written 1 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Edie S
    28 contributions
    The Thorne Miniature Rooms were absolutely a highlight of my first visit to Chicago and, in fact, one of the most enjoyable museum exhibits I have ever experienced.
    They are AMAZING!!
    If this is the type of thing that appeals to you, then you probably already know it. I don't suppose it would be everyone's thing. But if you enjoy interior design (especially English style), history, crafts, whimsy, imagination, or tiny, fascinating things, you will not be disappointed!!
    There are 68 rooms in this collection (Several more are located elsewhere.). They are wonderfully displayed in framed boxes set into the wall, with thoughtful lighting that contributes so much to their appearance.
    I visited with my teenage son, and we were both enchanted. I hope to return someday with my daughter when she is old enough to appreciate it!
    Written 28 February 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Betty
    2,773 contributions
    It is a small art museum on the University of Chicago campus and free admission. They do have a lot of art (shown on their website) but only a small portion is on display. We took their tour and had a very knowledgeable and friendly docent.

    It is nice place to spend an hour to relax and experience their eclectic collection of art. Do check their website because they will close some of their galleries for the next exhibit.
    Written 29 June 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • rebs87
    Northampton, MA25 contributions
    Beautiful murals, relatively close in walking distance to each other. I only wish there were more and that they were closer together!
    Written 28 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Yessita Oppugno
    Chicago, IL77 contributions
    A good place to explore artworks from all over the world. They have interesting exhibitions and events to meet the artists and discuss their work. It’s a very good choice to know the beautiful buildings of the University of Chicago while also seeing hidden jewels of art.
    Written 15 February 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • VMMB_Family
    Oswego, IL17 contributions
    Kept seeing ads on social media so we decided to check it out. My oldest son and I went to Japan in beginning of June 2023 and experienced Team Labs Tokyo so it basically set the bar for us when it comes to interactive/art experiences/exhibits. There are some cool parts of this exhibit that were cool and others fell short. The bathroom was a unique experience as well. However, it only took about 1-1.5 hours to complete and it wasn't that busy when we went, but wanted to enjoy each exhibit.
    Written 23 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • M F
    6 contributions
    The museum recently Re-opened in a bright, contemporary space. The collection is amazing- there is an amazing assortment of Han funerary pottery. There is an entire room dedicated to art of the Ming Dynasty- including some really cool dragons and a life size sculpture. Most of the museum is Chinese art, but there was a nice selection of Japanese art and a few beautiful Pala period steles from India. It is definitely worth a visit!
    Written 9 April 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • CityHiker73
    near Milwaukee, WI479 contributions
    We happened to be visiting a relative nearby, and this museum was recommended to us. It is on the second floor, so you do have to be alert to find it. We were greeted warmly. It is art by all veterans, though more by Viet Nam vets. Many thought-provoking drawings and photographs. Some sculptures. One area highlights work by Kurt Vonnegut, and another is inspired by Tim O'Brien's books. The O'Brien room is filled with stuff brought by soldiers.
    Written 29 October 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TH-ENGLISCHOOLI... N
    2 contributions
    RIP GROUP VIEWBER Rock call riet member app and Over fire text or reset Family link stop in my phone on futer rite and Derite Sheet work google set up on account Gbord my IPHONE (Anyway set up to firt stap hand set fire up to top up in me link)
    Written 12 May 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago