The 27 best museums in Chicago

One of the city's most well-known cultural buildings—thanks to the iconic pair of bronze lions that flank grand steps leading up to the entrance—the Art Institute of Chicago is just as impressive once you make your way inside. With almost 300,000 artworks in its permanent collection, you'll find thousands of paintings, sculptures, photos and drawings displayed throughout a sprawling complex of galleries and halls.

If you're a first-time guest, make a beeline for Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (as seen in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off—high and low culture is the best combo, after all) and the contemporary collection in the Modern Wing. Returning visitors can explore the Thorne Miniatures Rooms (reportedly a favorite of director Wes Anderson) in the museum's basement, as well as traveling exhibits devoted to the likes of Pablo Picasso and Van Gogh. There’s arguably too much art at this institution—at least, too much for one day—but we're not complaining.

What's on: “A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies,” a long-overdue retrospective of Mexican-American artist and activist Elizabeth Catlett's sculptures and prints.

Address: 111 S Michigan Ave

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri–Sun 11am–5pm; Thu 11am–8pm

Pricing: Adults $32, seniors (65+) $28, students with ID $26, teens (14–17) $26, children and members free

Originally founded to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, this massive natural history museum still packs ’em in with more than 20 permanent exhibitions covering 480,000 square feet. Guests come from all around the world to see towering dinos, marvel at ancient artifacts from a royal Egyptian tomb or relax in a Chinese rock garden hidden inside the Cyrus Tang Hall of China. While a gigantic titanosaur skeleton named Máximo now guards the lobby, you'll find the Field's former greeter, SUE the T. rex, residing in the “Evolving Planet” exhibit. There's something for everyone, and you can easily spend an entire day here. 

What's on: “Reptiles Alive,” a family-friendly exhibition diving into the lives of snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and more. 

Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr

Opening hours: Daily 9am–5pm

Pricing: Chicago residents: adults with ID $21, students with ID $17, children with ID $14; non-residents: adults $30, students with ID $27, children $23

Packed with exhibits that allow you to step inside a simulated tornado or navigate a maze lined with mirrors, the Museum of Science and Industry has no shortage of interactive bells and whistles that will appeal to younger and older visitors alike. Even if you graduated high school decades ago, displays featuring a restored U-505 German submarine, a simulated coal mine and a recreation of a Chicago street circa 1910 might make you feel like you're on a school field trip again—but a good one, and with a better lunch! Keep in mind that you're walking through a building that was originally created for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. 

What's on: Step into the world of one of Marvel's most iconic characters via the cutting-edge installations and rare memorabilia in “Marvel's Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing.” 

Address: 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr

Opening hours: Mon–Fri, Sun 9:30am–4pm; Sat 9:30am–3pm

Pricing: Adults $25.95, children (3–11) $14.95

Anchoring the aquatic offerings at this Chicago institution are enduring favorites such as piranhas, frogs and snakes of the Amazon; rays and turtles of the Caribbean; frightening predator sharks, mesmerizing jellies, adorable penguins (including the famous rockhoppers Wellington, Edward and Annie) and marine mammals like sea lions, otters and the beloved beluga whales.

The aquarium boasts a number of permanent exhibits, making it easy to spend an entire day wandering through the Shedd. We recommend identifying a handful of must-see exhibits before you go to prioritize your time. Or just make a list and tick off the others on your next visit!

What's on: Soak up some knowledge at “Wonder of Water,” an interactive exhibition showcasing biodiversity in freshwater and saltwater habitats.

Address: 1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm; Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 11am–6pm

Pricing: Chicago residents: adults $19.95, children $14.95; non-residents: adults $38.70+, children (3–11) $33.95+

The first planetarium in the western hemisphere is one of the city's most popular attractions. After you've explored the permanent exhibits and the dazzling sky shows in the Grainger Sky Theater, apply what you've learned about the skies and visit the Doane Observatory, home to the largest telescope available for public viewing in Chicago. 

What's on: Get into the groove at “Cosmic Rhythms,” a weekly dance program combining Adler astronomer’s expertise, breathtaking imagery and bold choreography by Joffrey Ballet dancer Xavier Nuñez. 

Address: 1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun 9am–4pm; Wed 4pm–10pm

Pricing: Adults $25, children (3–11) $13

Among the largest institutions in the world dedicated to art created post-1950, the Museum of Contemporary Art is best known for hosting major touring exhibitions, including past exhibitions celebrating luminaries like Virgil Abloh, David Bowie and Takashi Murakami. Throughout the MCA's galleries, you'll also find exhibits dedicated to rising local and international artists (including the museum's ongoing Chicago Works series). Once you're finished strolling through the galleries, make sure to exit through the well-curated gift shop.

What's on: Learn about Chicago’s essential—yet often unsung—role in the story of queer art and activism via “City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago.” 

Address: 220 E Chicago Ave

Opening hours: Tue 10am–9pm; Wed–Sun 10am–5pm

Pricing: Chicago residents: adults $19; students, teachers and seniors $10; non-residents: adults $22; students, teachers and seniors $14

Formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society, this lively museum commemorates the past through the exhibitions that explore historical figures like Abraham Lincoln and local delicacies such as the Chicago-style hot dog—range! Guests can climb aboard a vintage "L" car in "Chicago: Crossroads of America" or gaze at lithographs of the city that were created in the 1860s.

If you're working on a project that draws on the history of Chicago, you can register for access to the museum's Research Library, which houses thousands of photographs, publications and artifacts that document the city's past. It's situated just inside Lincoln Park near Old Town, so it's an ideal spot to kick off a nice long stroll along the lake.

What's on: Start your visit with the prescient “Facing Freedom in America,” an exhibition highlighting some of the ways Americans have struggled to gain equality and equity.

Address: 1601 N Clark St

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 9:30am–4:30pm; Sun noon–5pm

Pricing: Adults $19, students (19–22) and seniors (65+) $17, children (Illinois residents; 18 & under) free

While its Skokie location undergoes renovations, the Illinois Holocaust Museum has opened a new satellite location in the heart of downtown Chicago. Through Experience360 storytelling technology, visitors are invited to experience history in deeply personal and interactive ways. The space features a sampling of the Museum’s award-winning exhibitions, including a virtual reality theater, a gallery exploring the Holocaust and World War II and its Stories of Survival exhibition, which showcases photographs, artifacts and personal mementos of Holocaust and genocide survivors. 

What's on: Let yourself be transported to the past “The Journey Back,” a virtual reality program that uses cutting-edge technology to tell the stories of Holocaust survivors.

Address: 360 N State St

Opening hours: Daily 10am–5pm

Pricing: Adult $12, students and seniors $8, children (5–11) $6, children (under 5) free

On any given day at the Chicago Cultural Center, you might find a free classical concert being performed, an art exhibition on display in one of the building’s many galleries or tourists marveling at the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome. Don’t worry about paying for admission—nearly everything that happens in this building is free and open to the public.

Housed in a structure that’s as wide as an entire city block and dates back to 1897 (when it originally housed the Chicago Public Library), the Chicago Cultural Center provides a place for citizens and visitors alike to experience amazing art and beautiful architecture without spending a cent.

What's on: Treat yourself at Buddy, the Cultural Center's first-floor gift shop stocked with wares from over 400 Chicagoland artists.

Address: 78 E Washington St

Opening hours: Daily 10am–5pm

Pricing: Free

You can see bright, colorful murals by walking through the streets of Pilsen, but there's even more amazing art on display at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Harrison Park. One of the largest Latinx cultural organizations in the U.S., exhibitions draw from a permanent collection of more than 10,000 works, highlighting the creativity of artists on both sides of the border. Start with the permanent exhibit "Nuestra Historias," which includes everything from 18th century religious paintings to a tricked-out lawn mower. Admission is always free, and new shows debut regularly.

What's on: The museum offers free public tours throughout the year; stay up-to-date with their events calendar.

Address: 1852 W 19th St

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–5pm

Pricing: Free

Open since 1961, this Hyde Park cultural hub is the oldest independent African American museum in the country, housing documents and artifacts from the lives of movers and shakers like activist Ida B. Wells and poet Langston Hughes, plus a collection of vibrant African American art. You'll even find Chance the Rapper's Grammy award for best rap album on display.

What's on: Take your pint-sized museum pal to see “The Many Colors of Us,” an exhibit that teaches children to celebrate racial and ethnic diversity through play.

Address: 740 E 56th Pl

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 10am–5pm

Pricing: Chicago residents: adults $7, seniors and students $5, children $3; non-residents: adults $9, seniors and students $6, children $4

This free Humboldt Park museum showcases Puerto Rican culture and art as well as hosts workshops and special events. Housed within Humboldt Park, the museum's rotating collection showcases local and international talent that tell creative stories related to the Puerto Rican identity. It's a great place to add to your walking tour of the sprawling park and unbeatable local eateries.

What's on: Chicago artist Destyni “Desi” Swoope’s explores the enduring influence of cultural memory and family with their multimedia exhibition “Abuela's House.” 

Address: 3015 W Division St

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–2pm

Pricing: Free

Frank Lloyd Wright once described this Hyde Park home "a cornerstone of modern architecture," and it still lives up to the self-imposed reputation. Though it fell into disrepair and was slated for demolition on more than one occasion, it underwent an extensive interior restoration. One of the last buildings conceived in Wright’s Oak Park studio, it’s considered a prime example of the Prairie style—the cornerstone of modern architecture. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust's guided tour will take you inside the classic structure, where you can admire the original art glass accents, restored furniture and a fireplace that divides the home's living and dining areas.

What's on: Spring for a 90-minute in-depth tour of the Robie House, which allows you to view both public and private areas within and around the house.

Address: 5757 S Woodlawn Ave

Opening hours: Mon, Thu–Sun 9:30am–4pm

Pricing: $24–$75 guided tours; children under 8 are not permitted on interior tours

For more than 100 years, the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa (formerly the Oriental Institute) at the University of Chicago has been leading excavations and research projects in the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) region to understand our collective human history. Going as far back as 6,000 years, artifacts include an ancient saddle, various ceramic items such as jugs, bowls and incense burners, and some of the famous Megiddo Ivories. Also on display are objects from ancient Assyria, Anatolia, Israel, Egypt, Persia and in the Mesopotamian gallery, a stunning, hard-to-miss 40-ton human-headed winged bull sculpture from Khorsabad.

What's on: Prepare to be awed by the Yelda Khorsabad Court Gallery, a recreation of the palace courtyard of the Assyrian king Sargon II (721–705 BCE) complete with a 40-ton human-headed winged bull.

Address: 1155 E 58th St

Opening hours: Tue–Thu, Sat, Sun 10am–4pm; Fri 10am–8pm

Pricing: Adults $15, children (12 & under) $10

The written word and some of our nation's best literary minds take the spotlight at the American Writers Museum, an institution that is dedicated to educating the public about American writers, past and present. Guests can walk through a series of rotating, state-of-the-art exhibitions, including a hall that pays tribute to 100 notable American writers and an area where anyone can sit behind a typewriter and contribute to a story created by museum attendees.

What's on: Explore how Americans use role-playing and video games—from Dungeons & Dragons to Apocalypse World—to define and respond to culture via the special exhibition “Level Up: Writers & Gamers.”

Address: 180 North Michigan Ave

Opening hours: Mon, Thu–Sun 10am–5pm

Pricing: Adults $16; seniors (65+), students and teachers with ID $10; children (12 & under) free

You don’t have to be pre-med to appreciate the strange assortment of surgery-related artifacts at this unusual museum. Shudder at the sight of a 3,000-year-old Peruvian skull drill or a Civil War–era amputee kit. There’s also a rare, working iron lung, a recreated X-ray lab featuring Emil Grubbe’s turn-of-the-century equipment and a gallery space with revolving anatomy- and surgery-related art exhibitions.

What's on: Learn about warfare and fine art's role in shaping the plastic surgery field via the new exhibition “The Artistry of Plastic Surgery.”

Address: 1524 N Lake Shore Dr

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Fri 9:30am–5pm; Tue 9:30am–8pm; Sat 10am–3:30pm; Sun 10am–5pm

Pricing: Adults $25; seniors (65+); students, teachers and  military personnel with ID $18; children (4–13) $15; children (3 & under) free

In 2018, the Chicago Architecture Center moved into its riverfront headquarters, which appropriately boasts views of skyline institutions like the Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower. The stunning venue serves as a museum with two floors of fascinating exhibits. Inside, you'll find an interactive scale model of Chicago that depicts more than 4,200 structures plus super-sized models of tall buildings from around the globe and a preview of what Chicago could look like in 2050. 

What's on: Along with their in-house exhibitions and programming, the CAC also offers fan-favorite boat, walking and bus tours exploring everything from art deco skyscrapers to moveable bridges.

Address: 111 E Wacker Dr

Opening hours: Mon–Thu, Sun 10am–5pm; Fri, Sat 10am–7pm

Pricing: Adults $15, students with ID $10, children (5 & under) free

Local eccentric fund-manager and philanthropist Driehaus opened this museum to publicly display his expansive collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany lamps and accessories, and other late 19th century furnishings. Housed inside the mansion built by 19th-century liquor-magnate Samuel M Nickerson, the immaculately rehabbed “marble palace” is also a shining example of building preservation.

What's on: Admire a vast collection of breathtaking stained glass lamps at “Tiffany Lamps: Beyond the Shade” and peek behind the emerald curtain via “The Land of Oz: Beyond the Page.”

Address: 50 E Erie St

Opening hours: Wed 11am–7pm, Thu–Sun 11am–5pm

Pricing: Adults $20, seniors $15, students with ID $10, children (12 & under) and active military personnel with ID free

Set amid prairies and gardens in Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum offers a variety of ways to heighten your appreciation of the natural world. Exhibitions explore Chicago's prairie and river ecosystems as well as the biology of Midwestern birds. Kids will enjoy taking a guided tour of the museum's 1/3-mile outdoor nature trail while guests of all ages will be wowed by the thousand fluttering beauties that reside within the 2,700-square-foot Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. It's near the middle of Lincoln Park, so it's a great spot to visit mid-stroll, too. 

What's on: If you're looking for a unique museum experience, swing by Butterfly Haven Yoga to find your vinyasa flow in the company of butterflies, birds and tropical trees.

Address: 2430 N Cannon Dr

Opening hours: Daily 10am–4pm

Pricing: Illinois residents: adults $15, seniors and students $10, children (1–12) $8, infants (under 12 months) free; non-residents: adults $17, seniors and students $12, children (1–12) $10, infants (under 12 months) free

Part of a chain of trippy “edutainment” destinations founded in Zagreb, Croatia, the Museum of Illusions is packed with Instagrammable moments. Loaded with more than 80 exhibitions, the interactive experience reveals how your eyes can deceive your brain. Visitors can craft quirky, symmetrical versions of themselves in hilarious poses; dangle from a second story window of a classic Chicago home; and snap mind-boggling photos by swapping different body parts.

What's on: Meet your doppelgänger at the Cloning Table, dive into the mind-bending world of holograms and don't forget to visit the museum's famous Tilted Room.

Address: 25 E Washington St

Opening hours: Mon–Thu, Sun 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–9pm

Pricing: Adults (12+) $35, seniors (60+) and military personnel with ID $32, children (5–12) $28

Looking for a light afternoon diversion? Consider paying a visit to the Medieval Torture Museum, an interactive, eight-room tour of history’s most gruesome torture methods. Rather than displaying historical torture devices under glass, the museum takes the approach of creating diorama-like set-ups that show silicone dummies—their visages crafted in the likeness of actors who posed for each scenario—being subjected to medieval-era torture methods both real and apocryphal. Occasionally, guests are invited to try out some of the devices or open up chests and coffins (usually to find some kind of dismembered body part inside).

What's on: Tickets also include a “Ghost-hunting Experience”—download the museum's app to find and catch ghosts throughout your visit, and learn the chilling stories of how they died.

Address: 177 N State St

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sun 10am–9pm

Pricing: Adults $39.97, children (10 & under) free when accompanied by a dedicated adult 

Stop scrolling through Instagram and check out some of the amazing shots that line the walls of the Museum of Contemporary Photography. Founded by Columbia College Chicago, the Loop-based gallery hosts multiple shows each year, including groundbreaking new work made by artists around the globe as well as archival prints from the institution's archives. It doesn't take long to see everything on display in this relatively small museum, which makes it a perfect place to experience a bit of culture during your lunch break, or between checking out all the other great museums, galleries and things to do in Chicago. 

What's on: Learn how 11 international artists communicate through and with the body via the museum's latest exhibition “Channeling: body ←Image→ viewer.” 

Address: 600 S Michigan Ave

Opening hours: Mon–Wed, Fri, Sat 10am–5pm; Thu 10am–8pm

Pricing: Free

Situated on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, the Smart Museum of Art was conceived as an institution where scholars could study the arts and develop exhibitions. Today, it's open to the public (admission is always free) and is home to the college's collection of fine art and antiquities, including scrolls and ceramics from China as well as a large-scale sculpture by Haegue Yang. Explore exhibits devoted to sprawling installations and local art movements before taking a seat in the museum's courtyard sculpture garden.

What's on: Don't miss “Unto Thee,” Chicago artist Theaster Gates's first solo museum exhibition in his hometown. From glass lantern slides to shards of painted concrete, the exhibition features items from several core collections of objects that Gates has accrued over the course of decades.

Address: 5550 S Greenwood Ave

Opening hours: Tue–Fri, Sun 10am–4:30pm; Sat 4–7pm

Pricing: Free

Step into the Willy Wonka-esque world of the Museum of Ice Cream Chicago, a multi-room interactive experience dedicated to all things ice cream. After choosing an ice cream-themed nickname (e.g. “BaChoc Obama,” “Oprah Winfreeze” or “Mintdonna”), visitors enter through a pink recreation of an "L" car that leads them to a collection of experiential rooms, including a carnival, a mini-golf course and—of course—the museum’s famous sprinkle pool. Each ticket comes with unlimited treats from ice cream stations throughout the museum.

What's on: Especially hungry (or thirsty) visitors can also opt to purchase treats from an ice cream speakeasy stocked with everything from kids’ drinks to boozy milkshakes and cocktails.

Address: 435 N Michigan Ave 

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun 11am–6:30pm; Fri 11am–7:30pm; Sat 10am–7:30pm

Pricing: General admission $29–45

Have you ever wanted to compare your wingspan to Scottie Pippen’s or see the remains of the infamous Steve Bartman ball? Then head to this museum attached to Harry Caray’s 7th Inning Stretch restaurant at Water Tower Place. You’ll find unique memorabilia from Chicago’s various sports teams and get to test your athletic skills in interactive exhibits. Admission to the museum is free with a purchase at Harry Caray’s.

What's on: Embrace your inner CSI in “Sports Forensics,” an exhibition using science to solve some of the most infamous mysteries in sports, from Sammy Sosa's corked bat to the NHL's occasionally vanishing hockey pucks. 

Address: 835 N Michigan Ave

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–7pm; Fri, Sat 11am–8pm; Sun noon–6pm

Pricing: Adults $10, college students with ID $8, seniors (65+) and children (4–11) $6, children (3 & under) free

The Willis Tower Skydeck is a quintessential Chicago attraction, offering spectacular views across four states. But did you know Skydeck tickets also include admission to a a museum? Before you head up to the 103rd floor, explore a collection of interactive experiences at the lower-level museum that celebrate the history and culture of Chicago. You can take in the skyline with an immersive fly-through video tour of the city, hop aboard a replica of a CTA train, snap a photo with a gigantic deep dish pizza and tell a joke on a recreation of the Second City stage.

What's on: The Ledge—the Skydeck's attraction on the 103rd floor—recently enjoyed some luxe upgrades including a refreshed design, interactive monitors for sharing visitors'  skyline photos and new videos about neighboring Chicago attractions.

Address: 233 S Wacker Dr

Opening hours: Mon–Fri, Sun 9am–8pm, Sat 9am–9pm

Pricing: Adults (12+) $45, youth (3–11) $36, children (3 & under) free

Tucked inside the Federal Reserve of Chicago, the cute, geeky Money Museum holds money-related artifacts in its permanent display. See what $1 million looks like, grab a bag of shredded money and check out a coin-filled money pit worth more than $50,000 and weighing the equivalent of two grand pianos. Funnily enough, it won't cost you a dime—admission to the museum is free to all.

What's on: Try your hand at a counterfeit money machine and sneak a peek at a $1,000 bill known as the “Grand Watermelon” thanks to its melon-shaped numerals and vibrant green color.

Address: 230 S LaSalle St

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Fri 10am–5pm, Tue 10am–4pm

Pricing: Free