Chicago is home to more than 60 museums, a veritable playland for the culturally inclined. But with so many offerings, it’s not easy to choose which cultural institution is a must-see and which one is a pass. From museums the kids will love to art-focused venues that will satisfy the connoisseurs among you, we have selected seven of the best museums in Chicago so you can plan your visit without feeling like you’re missing out on anything. And if it’s free museums in Chicago you’re after, we’ve got you covered too in this solid guide to Chicago’s best free museums.
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The Best Museums in Chicago for Every Type of Traveler
Where are the best museums in Chicago?
Best museums in Chicago for families
The Museum of Science and Industry
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Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is the largest science museum in the western hemisphere with more than 14 acres of exhibit space. There’s so much to see at this museum that if you want to spend the day there, you’d better plan it in advance with Matador Network‘s guide to the Museum of Science and Industry . Here’s a mix of some of the great things you can do at MSI:
- Board an actual U-505 German submarine from World War II — all 252 feet of the hulking metal vessel is dramatically housed in an underground wing of its own.
- Step inside a 40-foot indoor tornado as gusts of air and vapor swirl around you — Science Storms shows you all the forces of nature with lightning, fire, and tsunamis in action.
- Maneuver through a geometric mirror maze in Numbers in Nature. Snap some trippy photos — just don’t walk into a wall.
- Sync your pulse with the Giant Heart and take the human-sized hamster wheel for a spin in YOU! The Experience.
There’s more — baby chicks, a giant pinball machine, a coal mine, a fairy castle, trains, etc. And that’s not including the temporary exhibits touring at MSI.
Eat like a local: Skip the museum cafeteria. Instead, head into the Hyde Park neighborhood for lunch or dinner.
Address: 5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637, US
Hours of operation: Daily 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $21.95 for adults / $12.95 for children from age three to 11. Additional fees are required to participate in particular experiences or to access temporary exhibitions.
The Shedd Aquarium
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Some 32,000 animals make their home at the Shedd Aquarium, including belugas, dolphins, penguins, and playful sea otters. Catch a show and head into the underwater viewing areas for more close-ups. This is one of the most popular museums in Chicago so do not expect to be the only visitor — no matter the day of the week or the time of day. But the focus of the aquarium on education, conservation, and sustainability makes the lines and crowds well worth the hassle.
Water taxi: If it’s nice out, hop in a Shoreline Water Taxi to get to the Shedd Aquarium (and all of Museum Campus) from downtown — it’s fun and the views are top-notch.
Address: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, US
Hours of operation: Weekdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (6 PM in the summer); Weekends 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: $39.95 adults / $29.95 children. 50 percent discount for Chicago residents. Advance tickets are required.
The Field Museum
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This Chicago museum has over 480,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens. Also big at The Field Museum is Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur discovered to date at 122 feet in length and 28 feet in height. Máximo the Titanosaur is visible in Stanley Field Hall. Two more giant dinosaurs can be seen at the Field Museum: Sue, another Tyrannosaurus rex, lives in the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, along with a Daspletosaurus nicknamed Gorgeous George.
Make like a curious scientist and explore the themed galleries. In the crowd favorite, you can descend into a replica of an ancient Egyptian tomb. There is also a whole collection of rare jewels, and other exhibits like the Hall of Birds where you can see 530,000 specimens, representing 90 percent of the world’s known bird species.
Fuel up: The Field Bistro has a great selection of food to satisfy the whole family in between galleries.
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, US
Hours of operation: Daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $27 for adults. Additional fees are required to access ticketed exhibitions and view 3D movies. Ticket discounts are available for children, students, and senior visitors.
The best museums in Chicago for art aficionados
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
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This is where the cool kids hang out. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago — better known as the MCA — is a triple threat. There’s a constant rotation of thought-provoking works and artist retrospectives in the galleries; a cutting-edge mix of dance, music, and theater on the stage; and a menu of seasonal cuisine from a top Chicago chef in Marisol, the beautiful on-site restaurant. If you can visit in the warm-weather months, alfresco concerts and outdoor installations add to the mix.
Merch: The MCA Store has a great selection of unique finds and limited-edition prints. Gifts and gadgets, books and cards, jewelry and toys, etc. all items are focused on design and contemporary art, often with an equal dose of quirkiness and good humor.
Address: 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, US
Hours of operation: Wednesday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM; Tuesday 10 AM to 9 PM
Cost: Suggested donation of $15 adults / $8 students, teachers, and seniors. Free for children under 18 years of age.
The Art Institute of Chicago
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Relive your Ferris Bueller fantasies at the Art Institute of Chicago. Highlights from the museum’s permanent collection of 300,000 works of art include Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks, Van Gogh’s The Bedroom, Diego Rivera’s Weaving, Monet’s Water Lilies, and many more iconic works of art. You can be surrounded by works by Monet one minute, then turn a corner and come face to face with one of Warhol’s pop art portraits or Picasso’s masterpieces. Spot the major pieces and big-name artists, or wander the galleries until you get lost. It’s all part of the fun.
Cheap eats: Food trucks park along Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street, just outside the museum’s Modern Wing entrance. Note that all the museum cafés and restaurants are currently closed.
Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60603, US
Hours of operation: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM
Cost: $25 adults / $19 seniors, students, and teens / Free for children under age 13. Advance ticket purchase is required.
The best museums in Chicago for history lovers
Chicago History Museum
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When so many of the big Chicago museums swell with crowds, the Chicago History Museum keeps things low key. This is the perfect spot for catching up on all the chapters of city history, like the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Dioramas have a retro appeal, while hands-on galleries are geared towards kids. Souvenir shopping is great at the museum store.
Post-museum visit tip: A short visit is all you need, and you should follow it up with a trip to other neighborhood attractions like North Avenue Beach, or pair it with food, drinks, and exceptional park views at The J. Parker rooftop.
Address: 1601 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, US
Hours of operation: Tuesday 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM; Wednesday to Saturday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM; Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $19 adults / $17 students and seniors / Free for children under the age of 18. Prospective visitors are encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance, but discounts can only be applied to those who purchase their tickets in person.
DuSable Museum of African American History
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The DuSable Museum of African American History is the US’s oldest independent African American Museum. Inside the museum, visitors find exhibits showcasing the role of African Americans in major events throughout US history, along with exhibits honoring American heroes who have fought for equality. The museums displays more than 15,000 pieces, including paintings, sculpture, print, and more.
South Side explorations: DuSable is part of Museum Campus South where you can also tour Frederick C. Robie House, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house, and visit the Smart Museum of Art.
Address: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637, US
Hours of operation: Wednesday to Sunday 11 AM to 4 PM
Cost: $14.50 adults / $11 students and seniors / $5 for children from age six to 11.
Where to stay in Chicago to be near the city’s best museums
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay.
Studio apartment in Historic building in Hyde Park
This studio apartment is located in the neighborhood of Hyde Park, close to both the Museum of Science and Industry and the DuSable Museum of African American History. The space is clean, cozy, and functional, allowing for two guests to stay in the one bed set up in the living space. While small and without much frills, this studio is perfectly adequate for visitors who plan to spend more time outside exploring the city and its museum than inside. This studio apartment is located in a beautiful historical building.
Penthouse apartment near Grant Park
Close to the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and Chicago’s iconic “Cloud Gate” (AKA “The Bean”), this rental is ideal for families who like to walk rather than use public transport. Grant Park and the Lake are right outside this beautiful apartment that can accommodate up to seven guests. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a shared rooftop with great views, and a shared gym. The apartment is clean, modern, and tastefully decorated. There are large windows for guests to enjoy the vistas of Lake Michigan and Grant park.
Apartment in historic house in Old Town
This charming one bedroom apartment in Old Town is located in a beautiful 1886 Chicago Victorian Brownstone. Close to the Chicago History Museum, this cozy apartment can host up to three guests and has a spacious living room with a fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen for those who want to cook their meals at home. The apartment has a lovely and green outdoor space with patio furniture where you can relax when the weather is on your side. 