Explore ancient Egyptian tombs, underwater worlds, Impressionist masterpieces, the depths of space, and beyond.
There’s always something new to discover at Chicago’s renowned museums, galleries, and cultural institutions.
Chicago museums and culture
Discover new worlds at our must-see museums.
Must-see Chicago museums
Check out some of the city’s top cultural institutions and start planning your visit.
Adler Planetarium
Museum Campus
Obama Presidential Center
Jackson Park
Field Museum
Museum Campus
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Streeterville
Shedd Aquarium
Museum Campus
Chicago History Museum
Lincoln Park
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Washington Park
Chicago Sports Museum
The Magnificent Mile
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Lincoln Park
National Public Housing Museum
Little Italy
Chicago Museum Campus
Chicago’s lakefront Museum Campus is home to many of the city’s top cultural institutions, all in one convenient downtown location.
- The Field Museum houses a treasure trove of natural wonders, including the largest and most complete T.rex ever discovered.
- The Shedd Aquarium is home to aquatic creatures from around the world, with hands-on experiences like the Stingray Touch.
- The Adler Planetarium is the first in the U.S. and the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
Museum Campus South
Head south along the lakefront to Museum Campus South — a dynamic hub for art, culture, and history on Chicago’s historic South Side.
- The Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, filled with interactive exhibits, is one of the world’s largest science museums.
- The new Obama Presidential Center is a moving and immersive landmark in Jackson Park.
- The nation’s first independent museum dedicated to Black history, The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center explores the culture and history of the African American diaspora.
Enjoy free admission to Chicago museums
Explore the city's top museums without spending a dime.
Hidden gem museums and galleries
Explore under-the-radar picks, including cultural heritage museums, neighborhood galleries, and more.
The Renaissance Society
Hyde Park
Intuit Art Museum
West Town
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
Humboldt Park
Driehaus Museum
River North
Hyde Park Art Center
Hyde Park
Ed Paschke Art Center
Jefferson Park
Wrightwood 659
Lincoln Park
National Veterans Art Museum
Portage Park
Museum of Contemporary Photography
South Loop
Gallery Guichard
Bronzeville
Charnley-Persky House
Gold Coast
Upcoming exhibits and events
Jul14
Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions
Free and Independent: The Declaration of Independence and the Words That Made the United States
60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610
Jul14
Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions
Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360
Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360
Jul14
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