Arts and culture guide to Chicago for meeting attendees

Published on September 23, 2026 by Choose Chicago

Few destinations can match the depth of Chicago’s rich cultural scene, home to everything from world-class museums to cutting-edge storefront galleries.

The city’s acclaimed cultural institutions make the perfect backdrop for everything from engaging offsite meetings to unforgettable after-hours events. A visit to a nearby museum is also a great way to round out the attendee experience, whether they have a free hour or a whole afternoon off.

These Chicago museums, conveniently located near top meeting destinations, are guaranteed to leave your attendees awestruck. This guide provides tips and helpful information to share with attendees to help them make the most of their time.

Museums near McCormick Place

Chicago’s McCormick Place is one of the country’s premier convention facilities, known for its size, flexibility, and sustainable practices. The campus is also conveniently located near some of the city’s top cultural destinations, including the lakefront Museum Campus and neighborhood museums throughout the surrounding historic districts.

Field Museum

The Field Museum houses a collection of more than 40 million objects, spanning billions of years of natural history. Guests are greeted by Máximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur ever discovered, inside the stunning entrance hall. You can also descend into an ancient Egyptian tomb, marvel at priceless gems, and so much more.

Tips for visiting: The Field Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check for events at nearby Soldier Field before heading out, as it can impact traffic and parking.

Getting there: The Field Museum is less than a 10-minute drive away from McCormick Place. For the scenic route, rent a Divvy bike and make the short ride up the Lakefront Trail. The northbound #3 bus can also get you close to the campus, or take the Metra Electric train that stops at McCormick Place.

Shedd Aquarium

Perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Shedd Aquarium is home to more than 32,000 aquatic creatures from around the world. Guests can opt into hands-on experiences like penguin encounters and shark feeding tours to make the visit extra memorable.

Tips for visiting: The Shedd is open daily; hours vary each day, so check their website before heading out. Take advantage of discounted admission for groups of at least 15 people. Check the events calendar for unique seasonal events like Jazzin’ at the Shedd.

Getting there: The Shedd Aquarium is less than a 10-minute drive away from McCormick Place. For the scenic route, rent a Divvy bike and make the short ride up the Lakefront Trail. The northbound #3 bus can also get you close to the campus, or take the Metra Electric train that stops at McCormick Place.

Adler Planetarium

Get lost in space at theAdler Planetarium, the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Explore the fascinating exhibits, grab tickets to an immersive Dome Show, and talk to real astronomers. While there, make sure to enjoy the panoramic skyline view from the lakefront terrace.

Tips for visiting: The planetarium is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays. The museum is open late until 10 p.m. on Wednesdays, which is when guests can take a peek through the city’s largest public telescope.

Getting there: The Adler is less than a 10-minute drive away from McCormick Place. For the scenic route, rent a Divvy bike and make the short ride up the Lakefront Trail. The northbound #3 bus or Metra Electric train can also get you close to the campus, though it’s about a 20-minute walk to the planetarium.

More museums and cultural institutions near McCormick Place

• Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation: This museum, located inside the historic Chess Records space, celebrates the lasting impact of Chicago-style blues and artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Chuck Berry.
• Glessner House: A historic mansion designed by a legendary American architect is located just steps from McCormick Place. Take a tour and then wander the charming Prairie Avenue and adjacent park.
• Chicago Brand Museum: Near the convention center, this new museum explores the design principles and behavioral psychology of corporate marketing in a fun, nostalgic atmosphere.
• Chinese American Museum: Immerse yourself in Chinese American art, culture, and innovation at this intimate museum, located in the heart of the historic Chinatown neighborhood.

Keep exploring: Obama Presidential Center and Museum of Science and Industry

The city’s dynamic Museum Campus South is just a short ride from McCormick Place. Here’s how to do it:

• Hop on a southbound Metra Electric train, located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse in the South Building of McCormick Place.
• Take the 10-minute ride and disembark at the University of Chicago/59th Street stop and make the five-minute walk to the Obama Presidential Center campus.
• Or get off at 55th/56th/57th Street and make the 10-minute walk to Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

Museums near downtown Chicago

Chicago’s vibrant downtown is filled with must-see sights, iconic attractions, and a bustling atmosphere you’d expect from one of the nation’s biggest cities. Make time to explore the area’s wealth of cultural assets, including one of the top art museums on the planet.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is a powerhouse in the art world, renowned for its diverse collection that includes everything from ancient artifacts to revered masterpieces. One essential stop during any visit is the Impressionism gallery, one of the largest outside of the Louvre. The Modern Wing is also a must, filled with thought-provoking works by top artists.

Tips for visiting: The Art Institute is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended evening hours on Thursdays. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. If you’re short on time, the curated one-hour itinerary lets you hit all the classics. The free daily tours are also a great way to make the most of your visit.

Getting there: The Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines all stop at Adams/Wabash, one block west of the museum. The Red and Blue lines stop at Monroe, a few blocks away. Or take the Metra train to Van Buren or Millennium stations.

Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art is just off Michigan Avenue, near the heart of The Magnificent Mile retail district. The museum’s purpose is to explore the works of living artists within the context of our time. The thought-provoking space is known for its blockbuster exhibits, featuring legendary artists like Yoko Ono, Virgil Abloh, Takashi Murakami, Nick Cave, and more.

Tips for visiting: The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with extended evening hours on Tuesday. Save time for a bite to eat; the museum’s restaurant, Marisol, is headed by a James Beard Award-winning chef.

Getting there: Take the Red Line train to the Chicago Avenue stop or choose from several CTA bus routes.

Chicago Cultural Center

Known as “The People’s Palace,” the landmark Chicago Cultural Center is free and open to the public to explore. The space hosts art exhibits, interactive workshops, live performances, concerts, and more almost every day of the year. Plus, admire the building’s intricate mosaics, soaring marble lobby, and Tiffany glass dome — the largest in the world.

Tips for visiting: The Cultural Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For a quick but rewarding visit, check out these tips for top things to see in an hour. Free tours are offered every Thursday and Friday afternoon. Stop at the Buddy artisan marketplace for the perfect Chicago souvenir.

Getting there: Take the ‘L’ train to Washington/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Lines), Lake (Red Line), or Washington (Blue Line) stops. Or take the Metra train to Van Buren or Millennium stations.

More cultural institutions near downtown

• Museum Campus: Three of Chicago’s biggest museums — the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium — are all located on one scenic lakefront campus.
• American Writers Museum: The only museum of its kind in the nation celebrates more than four centuries of American storytelling and literature.
• Museum of Contemporary Photography: Part of Columbia College Chicago, this free museum features 18,000 works by nearly 2,000 artists.
• Driehaus Museum: This opulent Gilded Age mansion is a must-see for architecture lovers. It also hosts rotating exhibits throughout the year.
• Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: See what one million dollars looks like and go home with a bag of shredded cash from this free museum.

Museums in Chicago’s neighborhoods

Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods are home to an array of under-the-radar museums, from local galleries to cultural heritage spaces. The city’s South Side in particular is a cultural powerhouse when it comes to must-see museums in Chicago.

Obama Presidential Center

Chicago’s historic South Side is home to one of the city’s most exciting new attractions. The Obama Presidential Center, which opened in June 2026, features a sprawling lakefront campus filled with public art, gardens, and more. Get tickets to the immersive museum, which follows the Obama family from Chicago to the White House, with unique artifacts, interactive exhibits, and stunning views from the top floor.

Tips for visiting: The museum and grounds are open daily. Due to high demand, timed tickets are required to visit the museum. If there are none available, there are still plenty of things to do without a ticket throughout the Obama Center campus.

Getting there: CTA bus routes include the #6, #10, #15, and #28, with stops directly in front of the campus. The closest Metra stops are at 59th Street and 63rd Street. The nearest Metra stop with elevator access is the 55th-56th-57th Street station.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Geek out at more than 35,000 artifacts at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. Enjoy hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits, like a real WWII submarine, a working coal mine, and an immersive tornado simulation. Fun fact: the museum is housed in the only remaining “White City” building from the 1893 World’s Fair.

Tips for visiting: The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily tours take you deeper inside some of the museum’s top exhibits.

Getting there: The #2, #6, and #10 bus lines all stop near the museum. The Metra Electric train line stops just two blocks north of the museum entrance (55th/56th/57th Street station), providing easy access to and from downtown or McCormick Place.

National Museum of Mexican Art

The National Museum of Mexican Art is home to one of the country’s largest collections of Mexican artworks, including pieces from ancient Mexico through modern day. The free museum also hosts regular cultural programming for the community, including workshops, performances, talks, and more.

Tips for visiting: The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and to 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. Admission is always free.

Getting there: The Pink Line stops at 18th Street, about a 10-minute walk from the museum. Several CTA bus routes, including the #9 and #18, also stop nearby.

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

The nation’s oldest independent Black history museum, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history, art, and culture of African Americans and Black people worldwide. Located inside the scenic Washington Park, the museum includes an array of permanent exhibitions alongside a rotating calendar of special exhibits, concerts, and lectures.

Tips for visiting: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays. Admission is free every Wednesday.

Getting there: Take the Green or Red Line to the Garfield stop and transfer to the #55 bus (Payne Drive & 55th Street stop). The Metra Electric or South Shore Line also stops at 55th-56th-57th Street, with the same bus transfer and short walk from there.

More museums and cultural institutions around Chicago

• Pullman National Historical Park: Chicago’s first National Park site, this historic community played a pivotal role in the nation’s labor history.
• Charnley-Persky House: In the Gold Coast, this historic masterpiece showcases the early collaboration between architectural giants Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.
• National Veterans Art Museum: This intimate museum exhibits art inspired by combat and created by veterans, with a focus on the Vietnam War.
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture: This dynamic museum showcases the art of the Puerto Rican diaspora, just steps from the city’s vibrant Humboldt Park community.