If your idea of a great trip includes dinosaurs, cutting-edge design, or staring at a Monet until you forget what time it is, good news: Chicago museums deliver. This city doesn’t mess around when it comes to culture. From world-famous institutions to neighborhood favorites, the museum scene here is as bold and varied as a Windy City winter.
Sure, the list of great Chicago attractions is long, but the city’s museums deserve top billing. This guide breaks down the 11 best museums in Chicago—from mind-blowing science halls to art spaces that’ll challenge your definition of art. Planning an afternoon indoors? Escaping the cold? Looking for something the kids will actually like? You’ll find it here.
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1. The Art Institute of Chicago
Located in Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and most revered art museums in the United States. Founded in 1879, the museum is housed in a Beaux-Arts style building originally constructed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. The building’s grand bronze lions flank its entrance on Michigan Avenue, welcoming millions of visitors each year. With a collection that spans more than 5,000 years, it’s a must-visit for anyone with even a passing interest in art.
Inside, the museum houses roughly 300,000 works of art across multiple wings and floors. The sprawling galleries include everything from ancient Greek and Roman artifacts to modern American installations. Highlights include Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Grant Wood’s American Gothic, and Marc Chagall’s America Windows. The Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2009, showcases post-World War II art, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, and Gerhard Richter.
Admission is $32 for adults and $26 for +65 and students. Illinois residents get discounted entry, and admission is free for all children under 14. The museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays. The Art Institute is accessible via CTA trains (Adams/Wabash or Monroe stations) and multiple bus lines. The on-site café and museum store make it easy to spend several hours here.
2. The Field Museum
Located on the Museum Campus, the Field Museum is a world-class natural history museum housed in a grand neoclassical building. Opened in 1894 and named after philanthropist Marshall Field, it’s most famous for SUE, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever found.
Beyond dinosaurs, the museum features ancient Egyptian artifacts, taxidermy dioramas, and exhibits on evolution and global cultures. Highlights include the walk-in tomb in the Egypt hall and the glittering Grainger Hall of Gems.
Admission starts at $30 for adults and $25 for kids ages 3–11. Illinois residents get discounts and occasional free days. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with easy access from the Roosevelt CTA station and #146 bus.
3. Museum of Science and Industry
Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition—the former Palace of Fine Arts—the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is a temple to innovation and discovery. Located in the Hyde Park neighborhood, it opened in 1933 and remains one of the largest science museums in the world. Its striking neoclassical façade contrasts with the cutting-edge, interactive exhibits inside.
The museum is known for its immersive and hands-on approach to science. Permanent exhibits include a World War II German U-505 submarine, a life-size replica of a coal mine, and Science Storms, a massive gallery that explores natural phenomena. Other highlights include the Numbers in Nature mirror maze, the genetics exhibit with live baby chicks, and the restored Pioneer Zephyr train.
Admission is $25.95 for adults and $14.95 for children (ages 3–11), with extra fees for select experiences. Illinois residents qualify for discounted entry and free days throughout the year. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is available on-site, and the CTA #10 bus runs directly to the museum.
4. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Located just a block from the Magnificent Mile, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA) is one of the top institutions in the U.S. for post-1945 art, featuring boundary-pushing exhibitions by local and global artists. Past highlights include shows by Kerry James Marshall and Virgil Abloh. The minimalist building houses large-scale installations, performance art, a sculpture garden, and the acclaimed Marisol restaurant.
Admission is $15 for adults and free on Tuesdays for Illinois residents. Guests 18 and under always enter free. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and easily accessed via the Chicago Avenue Red Line station.
5. The Chicago History Museum
Set in Lincoln Park, the Chicago History Museum dives into the city’s layered past—from the Great Fire and Prohibition to civil rights movements and local icons. You’ll find artifacts, immersive exhibits, and interactive displays like a vintage L car and an Abraham Lincoln gallery that offer a deep dive into Chicago’s evolution.
Admission is $19 for adults and $17 for +65 and students. Kids under 12 enter free. The museum is open daily and reachable via the Sedgwick Brown Line or the Clark Street buses.
6. The Adler Planetarium
Founded in 1930, the Adler Planetarium is America’s first planetarium and offers a mix of classic charm and high-tech exploration. Perched on the Museum Campus lakefront, it features interactive exhibits about the universe, immersive sky shows, and one of the few publicly accessible research telescopes in the U.S.—the Doane Observatory.
Admission is $19 for adults and $8 for kids, with extra charges for shows. Illinois residents get discounts and free-entry days. The Adler is open Wednesday through Sunday and served by the #146 CTA bus or walking trails along the lake.
7. The Shedd Aquarium
One of the most visited indoor aquariums in the U.S., the Shedd Aquarium sits right on Lake Michigan and is home to over 30,000 animals. From beluga whales and penguins to Amazon river turtles, it’s packed with engaging marine and freshwater habitats that appeal to kids and adults alike. The Oceanarium’s dolphin and sea lion presentations are longtime favorites.
General admission is $39.95 for adults and $29.95 for children, with various ticket bundles and Illinois resident discounts available. It’s open daily and reachable via Roosevelt CTA station or the #146 bus. Advance booking is highly recommended.
8. The National Museum of Mexican Art
Located in the heart of Pilsen, this museum offers one of the country’s most important collections of Mexican and Mexican-American art. The vibrant permanent exhibitions and rotating contemporary shows highlight the depth and diversity of Mexican culture and often explore social themes through visual storytelling.
Admission is always free. The museum is closed on Mondays and easily accessed by the Pink Line’s Damen stop or nearby bus routes. It’s a great cultural stop for visitors interested in Chicago’s Latino heritage.
9. The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Situated in Washington Park, the DuSable Museum celebrates African American history, culture, and contributions. Named for Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, Chicago’s first permanent non-Indigenous settler, its exhibits range from Civil Rights milestones to work by contemporary Black artists and leaders.
Admission is $14.50 for adults, with discounts for students and +65. Kids under 5 are free. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it’s accessible via the #55 or #6 bus and a short walk from the University of Chicago.
10. The Museum of Illusions Chicago
This immersive spot in the Loop plays tricks on your brain in the best way. With dozens of optical illusions, holograms, and sensory rooms, the Museum of Illusions is a hit for families, dates, or friend groups looking for offbeat fun and good photo ops.
Admission is $25 for adults and $20 for kids, with timed-entry tickets available online. Located on Washington Street, it’s steps from major CTA train lines and open daily.
11. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Tucked into Lincoln Park, this family-friendly museum focuses on Midwest ecosystems and conservation. The star attraction is the lush butterfly haven, home to hundreds of free-flying species, but there are also exhibits on local wildlife, climate, and hands-on nature science.
Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for kids and +65. Illinois residents often get free days. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and easy to reach via the #76 bus or a walk from the Fullerton CTA stop.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re into fossils, fine art, black holes, or butterflies, Chicago museums offer something for every kind of traveler. From towering institutions on the lakefront to vibrant neighborhood collections, they tell the story of a city that celebrates creativity, curiosity, and culture.
Make time for at least a few of these spots on your next visit—and don’t forget to check for resident discounts and free days if you’re local. You’ll walk away smarter, inspired, and probably planning your next return trip.