Exciting renovations unveiled at the Shedd Aquarium and Intuit Art Museum, the National Public Housing Museum debuts, a Yoko Ono retrospective is coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Chicago Architecture Biennial returns for its 10th year, Home Court is set to open at the Obama Presidential Center, and O’Hare Airport is at the top of ACI world rankings as it increases international flights to Chicago.
- Get a new underwater view at the Shedd Aquarium
- The renovated Intuit Art Museum is unveiled
- The National Public Housing Museum makes its debut
- Yoko Ono retrospective coming to the MCA
- Experimental design at the Chicago Architecture Biennial
- Home Court scheduled to open at Obama Presidential Center
- O’Hare International Airport in Top 10 of ACI world rankings
- International flights increased at O'Hare Airport
Get a new underwater view at the Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium has unveiled an astonishing transformation of its historic rotunda with the Wonder of Water exhibit. Side-by-side towers house saltwater and freshwater ecosystems of plants, corals, reef fish, and other marine animals. Hands-on activities for visitors include periscopes to get close-up views.
Learn more aboutWonder of Waterat theShedd Aquarium.
The renovated Intuit Art Museum is unveiled
After a two-year closure and $10 million renovation, the Intuit Art Museum (formerly known as Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art) has reopened in West Town, featuring four exhibit galleries and three floors of works by self-taught artists. The exhibit Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago, featuring artwork by local migrant and immigrant artists, continues through Jan. 11, 2026.
Learn more about the Intuit Art Museum.
The National Public Housing Museum makes its debut
The National Public Housing Museum is the first of its kind in the country, dedicated to preserving public housing history and providing a safe space as a catalyst for social change. Visitors can attend free programs, listen to oral histories and podcasts, and view art installations. The museum is located within the last remaining building of the Jane Addams Homes.
Learn more about the National Public Housing Museum.
Yoko Ono retrospective coming to the MCA
A comprehensive showcase of Yoko Ono’s life as a musician, avant-garde artist, and peace activist is coming to the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago later this year. Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind will display more than 200 works and projects from the 1960s through the 2000s, including music recordings, performance footage, photography, and memorabilia. The exhibit runs Oct. 18, 2025 – Feb. 22, 2026.
Learn more aboutYoko Ono: Music of the Mindat theMuseum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
Experimental design at the Chicago Architecture Biennial
Glimpse the future of design during the 10th-annual Chicago Architecture Biennial, the largest event of its kind in North America. International architects, artists, and designers will share their ideas with the theme Shift: Architecture in Times of Radical Change. Free events, programs, and exhibits will be offered from Sept. 12, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026, at the Chicago Cultural Center and more than 100 other city sites.
Learn more about the Chicago Architecture Biennial.
Home Court scheduled to open at Obama Presidential Center
Home Court, the first phase of the highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center, is scheduled to open in 2026. The 45,000-square-foot Home Court houses an NBA-sized basketball court and will host community events. The Center’s 19-acre Jackson Park campus will also feature former President Barack Obama’s library and museum.
Learn more aboutHome Courtat theObama Presidential Center.
O’Hare International Airport in Top 10 of ACI world rankings
O’Hare International Airport, one of the world’s Top 10 busiest airports, now appears in the Airports Council International World’s 2024 rankings in two categories. O’Hare took the No. 2 spot for aircraft movement, handling 776,036 aircraft. And with 80 million passengers last year, O’Hare came in at No. 8 for the number of passengers served.
Learn more about ACI rankings and O’Hare International Airport.
International flights increased at O’Hare Airport
Flying into and out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport has gotten even easier for international travelers.
- Cathay Pacific now offers daily service to Hong Kong.
- Finnair began daily service to Helsinki, Finland, in March.
- American Airlines is offering daily service to Madrid, Spain, and to Naples, Italy, through Oct. 24. Once-a-week service to Halifax, Canada, runs through Oct. 4.
- United Airlines flights to Edmonton, Canada, will be offered three times a week through Oct. 25.
- Japan Airlines resumed service between Chicago and Tokyo Narita in May.
- WestJet will offer service to Edmonton, Canada, three times a week through Oct. 22.
- Turkish Airlines will increase flights to Istanbul, Turkey, from 14 a week to 17 beginning July 7.
