Chicago’s diverse array of museums are a treasured part of the city’s cultural scene, and they’ve been sorely missed the past few months. As the city continues responsibly reopening, many museums are welcoming the public back with an array of new social distancing measures, enhanced cleaning, and limited capacities.

Check out the museums open now and reopening soon in Chicago.

Chicago museums open now and reopening soon:

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

Now open
You might have seen the viral videos of the Shedd’s penguins roaming the aquarium and other Chicago museums. Now, the penguins are back home as the Shedd Aquarium has opened their doors to the public. The museums has instituted wellness checks for staff, increased cleaning in high-touch areas, a new one-way flow for increased social distancing, and more.
Know before you go: Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Guests over age 2 must wear a face covering. The Aquatic Presentation, 4D Theater, and several high-touch play areas remain closed. Cash sales will be limited and dining areas will have a reduced number of tables.

Field Museum

Sue at Field Museum
Photo by Lucy Hewett

Now open
One of Chicago’s most beloved institutions, the Field Museum showcases everything from ancient cultures to the latest scientific discoveries. Visitors can meet the largest dinosaur to ever walk the earth, mummies in their tombs, giant-sized bugs, the most complete T.rex ever found, and more. The Field has implemented rigorous cleaning procedures, floor markings and one-way paths, more than 100 hand sanitizer stations, and more to help keep visitors safe.
Know before you go: The Field Museum will be open Thursday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Timed tickets can be purchased online in advance. Only the East entrance will be open. All visitors just wear face covering and follow social distancing guidelines. Exhibitions that are highly interactive or located in small spaces are temporarily closed. The coat check is also closed. 

Art Institute of Chicago

Reopens July 30
The Art Institute of Chicago, one of the most respected art museums in the world, will be reopening their doors to the public at the end of the month. Many of the museum’s main galleries will be open, along with their newly extended special exhibit on the works of El Greco. They’ve also introduced touchless entry, virtual lines for exhibits, and new signage. Plus, they’ll be offering free admission to all Illinois residents July 30 – Aug. 3 to welcome back visitors.
Know before you go: The museum will be open Thursday through Monday with new limited hours. Masks are required for all visitors over age 2. Advance tickets are required, you can purchase tickets or reserve your free tickets online. Some galleries and amenities remain closed, including coat check, restaurants, valet parking, and more.

Museum of Science and Industry

MSI Storm exhibit
J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

Reopens July 29 for members, Aug. 1 for the public
The Museum of Science and Industry is a hands-on wonderland for all ages. MSI members will get the first chance to explore the newly reopened museum July 29 – 31. The public will be welcomed back on Aug. 1 with free admission through Aug. 14. You can expect daily staff health surveys, frequent disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, and readily available hand sanitizer throughout the museum. Plus, all visitors can enjoy food and beverage sales on the front lawn with plenty of tables and picnic areas.
Know before you go: MSI will be open Wednesday through Sunday. Timed admission tickets must be reserved before your visit. All guests will receive free admission through Aug. 14. Some exhibits and experiences remain closed, like tours inside the Coal Mine and U-505 Submarine.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Duro Olowu exhibit at Museum of Contemporary Art
Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago

Now open
In The Magnificent Mile area, Museum of Contemporary Art presents provocative and thought-provoking exhibits by local and global artists. The MCA is debuting a new dedicated visitor path and separate hours for high-risk visitors. The museum’s popular Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago exhibit has been extended into September and they’ll be offering free admission all August long.
Know before you go: The museum will be open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the first hour of the day dedicated to seniors and people with increased risk. Admission to the MCA is free through the end of August. Reserve your free admission ticket online prior to visiting. All visitors must wear masks. Coat checks and Marisol will be closed.

Chicago Architecture Center museum

Photo credit: James Steinkamp

Now open
The riverfront Chicago Architecture Center is home to an array of fascinating exhibits about the city’s most legendary buildings. Explore the Skyscraper Gallery, check out an interactive model of the city featuring 4,000 structures, and take a look into the future of urban life.
Know before you go: The center is open Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The CAC requires all visitors to wear a face covering over your nose and mouth at all times. Enter the Center from East Wacker Drive. 

Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center

Resistance Gallery at the Illinois Holocaust Museum
Photo by Kathleen Hinkel

Now open
The Illinois Holocaust Museum is now open with an array of new health and safety measures. The space will be cleaned hourly and features a high-quality air filtration system. Visitors will be admitted one party at a time to ensure plenty of social distancing. That means you’ll have plenty of room while exploring their recently extended exhibit, Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Know before you go: New hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Face coverings and temperature checks are mandatory for all guests. Tickets must be purchased online prior to your visit. The coat and bag check is currently closed.

Frederick C. Robie House

Now open
Take a tour of the house Frank Lloyd Wright called “a cornerstone of modern architecture”. Frederick C. Robie House, located in Hyde Park, is perhaps the most famous example of Wright’s Prairie-Style architecture. Choose from docent-guided tours, self-guided audio tours, or in-depth private tours.
Know before you go: Tours are available daily with reduced capacity of eight people per tour. Timed tickets can be purchased in advance. All guests must wear face masks. Ticket and shop purchases are credit card only. 

American Writers Museum

Now open
The American Writers Museum, the first institution of its kind, celebrates American writers and their works. The museum’s interactive exhibits strive to honor the full breadth of American writing from the past to the present. Their latest exhibit focuses on the impact of immigrant and refugee writers.
Know before you go: The museum’s adjusted hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Masks that cover your mouth and nose are required to enter the building and the museum and must be kept on at all times.

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art

Intuit Chicago exhibit
Intuit Chicago Calling: Art Against the Flow

Opens Aug. 7
This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, reopens to the public Friday, Aug. 7. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing.
Know before you go: Advanced, timed-entry tickets and face coverings are required to enter the museum. The bag and coat check, along with the Intuit Store, are temporarily closed.

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Now open
Museum of Contemporary Photography is a leading college museum dedicated to international photography, with a mission to foster a deeper understanding of photos as an art form. The collection, which is always free for the public to explore, includes more than 16,000 objects by over 1,500 artists. Don’t miss their latest exhibit Temporal: Puerto Rican Resistance.
Know before you go: The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All guests must reserve a free timed ticket. Reservations are limited to 30 minutes. Guests must wear a non-vented face mask and exercise social distancing. 

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

Now open
Located just across from Millennium Park, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library is dedicated to educating the public about military history. The unique museum hosts a permanent exhibition on the Medal of Honor and is currently showing a special exhibit about Allied forces during World War II.
Know before you go: The Museum & Library will be open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks are mandatory when entering the Monroe Building. In the Museum & Library, the library stacks and 3rd floor exhibits will be closed to the public. Patrons will enter through the Michigan Avenue entrance.

Museum of Broadcast Communications

Now open
The Museum of Broadcast Communications, a unique Chicago spot dedicated to broadcasting history, is reopening for weekend visitors. The exhibits focus on both historic and contemporary radio and television content, like the museum’s blockbuster Saturday Night Live – The Exhibition in 2018. Check out absorbing exhibits like the Chicago TV Gallery, Radio Hall of Fame, and their extensive archives.
Know before you go: The museum will be open Friday through Sunday. The museum is offering free admission through August 2, reserve your free tickets in advance or purchase tickets for a later date. Walk-in admissions will only be available for the next admission slot with capacity. Masks that cover your mouth and nose are required. Cash will not be accepted and bag/coat checks are closed.

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