20 Best Museums in Chicago in 2024 (By a Local)

I’m a Chicago local and in this guide, I cover the best museums in Chicago for every age and interest. 

The Windy City has long been a hub for science, art, and innovation. Not to mention, it’s a city with a rich and diverse history. Several Chicago museums highlight these topics and more in engaging, interactive ways — making them some of the best things to do in Chicago. This list features popular institutions and hidden gems that are sure to pique your curiosity!

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20 Museums in Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago’s most famous art museum is home to a massive collection of art from throughout history.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $27 Adults, $21 Seniors and Students, Free for Children | 🕕 Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Fri-Mon, 11 am – 8 pm Thur, Closed Tue, Wed

The Art Institute of Chicago is arguably the most famous museum in Chicago. It’s located in the heart of the Loop, right in Grant Park.

The Art Institute is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Its permanent collection contains around 300,000 works of art from around the globe. Galleries feature Impressionist pieces, modern and contemporary art, sculptures, and historic artifacts. There are also special exhibitions throughout the year. 

Highlights of the museum include works by Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Katsushika Hokusai, Georgia O’Keeffe, and countless other artists. Expect to spend at least two hours at this museum, exploring solo or on a guided tour. The museum also has two eateries open to visitors: The Market and Modern Cafe.

Museum of Science and Industry

This enormous science museum is best known for its countless interactive exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $25.95 Adults, $14.95 Children | 🕕 Hours: 9:30 am – 4 pm daily

The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is one of Chicago’s most popular museums, located in Hyde Park. It first opened in 1933, but the building was originally built for the 1893 World’s Fair.

Today, MSI is one of the biggest science museums in the world — it’s the size of an entire city block! It’s best known for its interactive exhibits on science and human innovation. Countless science and engineering artifacts from throughout history are displayed here. 

MSI has a mix of permanent and special exhibits. Must-see exhibits include the U-505 Submarine, theCoal Mine, and theMirror Maze. Note that entrance to some exhibits costs extra. I recommend setting aside at least two hours for MSI, but you could spend longer. MSI also has a handful of eateries and cafes on-site.

💰 Save Big: Purchase a Chicago CityPASS to get discounted admission to MSI, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and more! 

Field Museum of Natural History

Chicago’s natural history museum is home to the world’s biggest and most complete T. rex skeleton. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $21-$30 Adults, $14-$23 Children 3-11, Free for Ages 2 and Under | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Daily

The Field Museum is Chicago’s natural history museum. It’s located on the sprawling complex of Museum Campus, within walking distance of Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. The Field Museum is Chicago’s largest museum and a great stop for families with kids.

Book tickets to see its exhibits, which explore all topics related to the natural world. The Field Museum has an extensive collection of historic artifacts, with exhibits that explore ancient cultures and civilizations. Popular exhibits include Inside Ancient Egypt and Nature Walk & Messages from the Wilderness.

But the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet is the most popular exhibit in the Field Museum by far. This is where you’ll find SUE the T. rex, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton in the world! The Field Museum also has two on-site eateries: The Field Bistro (grab-and-go) and The Explorer Cafe. 

Shedd Aquarium

This aquarium features diverse marine life habitats, native Lake Michigan creatures, and interactive exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $20-$40 for 12+, $15-$30 Children 3-11, Free for Ages 3 and Under  | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 9 am – 6 pm Saturday-Sunday, 9 am – 9 pm Sunday

Head to the Shedd Aquarium to discover what’s under the sea… and Lake Michigan. This state-of-the-art aquarium located on Museum Campus is home to aquatic life from around the world. I highly recommend “the Shedd,” as locals call it, to visitors of all ages.

The Shedd has an Oceanarium where you can see dolphin shows, a Wild Reef tank with sharks, and many touch tanks. The At Home on the Great Lakes is also a neat exhibit where you can discover native Lake Michigan species. There’s also a terrace at the Shedd where you can munch on food from the museum’s food court or cafe and enjoy Chicago skyline views.

👉 Want to See More Animals? Visit Lincoln Park Zoo in Lincoln Park for more wildlife experiences. 

Adler Planetarium

Dive into astronomy and space exploration at this historic Chicago landmark and museum.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $19-$35 Adults, $8-$24 Children 3-11 | 🕕 Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Fri-Mon, 4 pm – 10 pm Wed, Closed Tue & Thur

Adler Planetarium was the first planetarium in America, making it one of Chicago’s most famous landmarks. Today, it’s a family-friendly museum with theater shows and educational community programs located on the Museum Campus.

Adler Planetarium isn’t as large as the Field Museum or Museum of Science and Industry, but it’s a great place to visit if you or your kids are interested in astronomy and space. Our Solar System and Mission Moon are popular exhibits. I also recommend the museum’s Sky Shows. Stop by its Cosmic Cafe for food and views of the Chicago skyline.

👉 Pro Tip: I recommend taking public transportation or a rideshare to Museum Campus. Parking is pretty expensive here so this is a smarter alternative to driving if you’re on a budget.

Museum of Contemporary Art

This contemporary arts and culture museum features rotating, thought-provoking exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $19 Adults, $10 Students, Teachers, & Seniors, Free for Ages 18 and Under | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Tue, 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is a great Chicago museum for adults. It can be visited by guests of all ages, but MCA exhibitions tend to highlight heavier or more serious themes like race and human rights. 

The Museum of Contemporary Art is located right off the Magnificent Mile. It features new and special exhibits, plus frequent rotations of its permanent collection. It’s one of the most interesting museums in Chicago, in my opinion, and I highly recommend purchasing tickets. You can also stop by Marisol Restaurant and Bar, MCA’s New American restaurant.

National Museum of Mexican Art

Explore Mexican artwork and culture at this small, but impressive Pilsen museum. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sun

The National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) is one of Chicago’s hidden gems. It’s a small museum located in the Pilsen neighborhood with free admission. This art museum focuses on Mexican artwork with a rotating permanent collection and special exhibits. 

The galleries at the National Museum of Mexican Art are vibrant, colorful, and thought-provoking. Día de Muertos is a popular annual exhibit. I highly recommend checking it out in the fall, one of the best times to visit Chicago. Be sure to stop by the gift shop as well.

Chicago Children’s Museum

This interactive and play-oriented museum is perfect for kids ages 0 to 10. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $21 Adults & Children, Free for Ages 1 and Under | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Fri & Sun, 10 am – 2 pm Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat, Closed Tue

The Chicago Children’s Museum is located on Navy Pier. This museum is full of interactive exhibits with something for kids of all ages. Fan favorite exhibits include theTinkering Lab, theDinosaur Expedition, andWater City. However, the museum has endless places for your kids to climb, play, and let their imaginations run wild.

There isn’t a restaurant at the Chicago Children’s Museum. However, parents are allowed to bring food, as there are “snack spots” around the museum to eat at. There are also several great Chicago eateries along Navy Pier. 

Chicago History Museum

Step back in time and discover how Chicago came to be. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $19 Adults, $17 Students & Seniors, Free for Ages 18 and Under (Illinois Residents) | 🕕 Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Tue-Sat, 12 – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon

The Chicago History Museum is a family-friendly museum located in the southeastern corner of Lincoln Park. This museum is the perfect place to dive deeper into history and interesting facts about the Windy City.

Exhibitions cover Chicago topics and figures like Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Chicago Blues, and more. Adults and children alike will enjoy it. Stop by the museum’s North & Clark Cafe for Chicago-themed food offerings.

Chicago Cultural Center

This historic and ornately designed art and cultural hub is located in downtown Chicago.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, Daily

The Chicago Cultural Center is often overlooked in favor of attractions like Millennium Park across the street. But you shouldn’t miss this free attraction, especially if it’s a rainy day and parts of your Chicago itinerary have to get scrapped.  

The Cultural Center is less of a themed museum and more of a center for local art and culture to be displayed. Here, you can see the largest stained glass Tiffany dome in the world. You can also browse galleries of local artwork and photography. The Cultural Center has a fantastic gift shop, too.

DuSable Museum of African American History

This thought-provoking museum about African American history resides in Hyde Park.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $14.50 Adults, $5 Children (Discounts Available) | 🕕 Hours: 11 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon & Tue

The DuSable Museum of African American History is located in Hyde Park. It’s one of the oldest African American museums in the United States. Here, you’ll find a diverse collection of artwork, historic artifacts, and media presentations that tell the story of African American history in Chicago and throughout America.

Exhibitions cover historic events and African American figures. Learn about Harold Washington, Chicago’s first Black mayor, the Civil Rights Movement, stories of the African Diaspora, and so much more. 

American Writers Museum

This educational and interactive museum discusses all things writing and literature. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $16 Adults, $10 Students, Teachers, & Seniors, Free for Ages 12 and Under | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thu-Mon, Closed Tue & Wed

The American Writers Museum is a lesser-known museum located on Michigan Avenue in the Loop. This is a great museum for anyone of any age interested in writing and literature. 

The exhibit A Nation of Writers is a highlight. It features 100 influential American writers from the 1600s and onward. This exhibit also includes a “surprise bookshelf” and a “word waterfall.” I also like that the museum has typewriters where you can create your own written piece.

Swedish American Museum

This Andersonville museum features an art gallery, historical exhibits, and an interactive kids’ play space.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $6 Adults, $4 Children | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Fri, 11 am – 4 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon 

The Swedish American Museum is a small but impressive museum about Swedish history and culture. It’s located in the heart of Andersonville on Chicago’s North Side. Visitors of all ages can enjoy a visit to this local museum, regardless of their connection to Sweden.  

There are three main areas: a gallery, a historic exhibition area, and a children’s play space called the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration. 

The entire museum is thoughtfully curated but the Brunk Children’s Museum is especially cool. It has replicas of Swedish homes with interactive spaces for children to play make-believe. I just kept thinking, “I would have loved this as a kid.” Lastly, don’t leave the museum without stopping in the gift shop!

Richard H. Driehaus Museum

This 19th-century Gilded Age mansion is located near the Magnificent Mile.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $20 Adults, Free for Ages 12 and Under | 🕕 Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thu & Sun, 10 am – 5 pm Fri & Sat, 11 am – 3 pm Wed, Closed Mon & Tue

The Richard H. Driehaus Museum is a hidden-in-plain-sight museum in downtown Chicago. This museum is a restored mansion from the Gilded Age. It originally belonged to Samuel and Matilda Nickerson. They were a wealthy couple who were influential in Chicago’s arts and culture scene in the 19th century. 

Today, the mansion is known as a “marble palace” and impresses visitors with its ornate detail and design. I recommend doing a guided tour for $5 extra to learn more about its history.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

This nature-inspired museum features interactive and educational exhibits for kids. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $17 Adults, $10 Children (3-12) | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Saturday-Thursday

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a family-friendly nature museum in Lincoln Park. It’s home to nature-inspired artwork, play spaces, animal interactions, nature trails, and more.

The Judy Istock Butterfly Haven exhibit is particularly popular. More than 40 species of live butterflies flutter throughout the greenhouse. You can watch new butterflies fly for the first time every day at 2 pm. 

Frederick C. Robie House

This Prairie-style home in Hyde Park was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Tour: $20 – $75 | 🕕 Hours: 9:30 am – 4 pm Thu-Mon, Closed Tue & Wed

The Frederick C. Robie House is a Prairie-style home in Hyde Park designed by Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The “Robie House,” as it’s commonly known, was built in 1910. Today, it’s been turned into a museum that highlights the innovative modern architecture of the time. The Robie House can be visited with guided tours. 

International Museum of Surgical Science

This museum is dedicated to surgical artifacts and contemporary artwork. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $25 Adults, $15 Children | 🕕 Hours: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am- 5 pm Saturday-Sunday

The International Museum of Surgical Science is a smaller Chicago museum located just south of Lincoln Park on Lake Shore Drive. It’s the only museum in the country that’s solely dedicated to the history of surgery. 

The museum’s permanent collection contains thousands of surgical artifacts, as well as artwork that depicts medicine and doctors. The International Museum of Surgical Science also puts on contemporary art exhibitions. 

Chicago Architecture Center

Learn about Chicago’s iconic architecture and take a guided tour. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: $14 Adults, Free for Ages 5 and Under | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 daily

The Chicago Architecture Center is a nonprofit organization that puts on exhibits and hosts architectural tours. A popular exhibit is the Chicago City Model Experience. It displays a diorama of the Chicago skyline and tells the story of its architectural history.

Tours include an architectural boat tour and walking tours. They highlight different themes like Chicago’s first skyscrapers, art deco skyscrapers, and modern architecture. 

📚 Related Reading: Chicago River Boat Tours

Smart Museum of Art

This small modern art museum features diverse, rotating exhibits. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon

Visiting the Smart Museum of Art is one of the best free things to do in Chicago. This small museum is located on the University of Chicago’s campus in Hyde Park and has a focus on modern art. The gallery highlights work by Asian, European, and local Chicago artists.

The exhibits on display rotate throughout the year, so there’s always something new to see. Exhibits touch on diverse themes and have ranged from social change to the use of monochrome. 

Museum of Contemporary Photography

This small photography gallery is focused on contemporary topics.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | 🎫 Cost: Free | 🕕 Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat, 10 am – 8 pm Thu, 12 – 5 pm Sun

The Museum of Contemporary Photography is another free Chicago museum. It’s part of Columbia College Chicago and is located on S Michigan Avenue next to Grant Park. 

The gallery itself is small and you won’t need more than an hour here, but the photography on display is interesting. The exhibits focus on diversity in people and ideas and are meant to be thought-provoking. 

FAQs about Chicago Museums

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Have you visited any of these Chicago museums? Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments below. Be sure to read our guide on places to stay in Chicago for more helpful travel information!