Museums

Students explore the moon, stars and edge of the galaxy through interactive exhibits and presentations. The Adler has one of the most extensive collections of early scientific instruments as well as several types of star shows and space explorations. Read more »

The Art Institute houses famous paintings ranging from the 13th century to the present. Its 19th & 20th century French collection is among the best in the world. Also on display are prints and drawings, decorative arts, oriental art objects, photographs, primitive art, textiles, sculptures, collections of arms and armor, and the famous Thorne Collection of miniature rooms. Read more »

This is the oldest museum and library in the city. Period rooms show the progress of American history from the landing of Columbus to the present. There are also dioramas and special galleries devoted to Chicago/American history. Read more »

The DuSable Museum was the first grass roots Black history museum in America. It is dedicated to advancing an appreciation of the culture, history, and achievements of African Americans. Read more »

The Field Museum has extraordinary exhibits on wildlife, Native American cultures, Africa, the Pacific Coastline, gemstones, and dinosaurs, including "Sue," the largest T-Rex skeleton ever found. Students can also enter a reconstruction of an Egyptian pyramid, complete with real mummies and artifacts. Read more »

This extraordinary Home and Studio complex served as Wright's architectural laboratory from 1889 to 1909, the years that launched his career. Here he conceived the Prairie style of architecture, testing ideas that were employed in many of the surrounding homes he designed for clients. Now open to the public as a historic house museum, the building has been restored to its 1909 appearance, the last year Wright lived and worked on the property. Read more »

The only operating Waterwheel Gristmill in Illinois and Authenticated Underground Railway Station and Museum. Take a brief walking tour of the Mill grounds and see a corn grinding demonstration. Follow up with a tour of the Underground Railroad exhibit and the upper two floors which include period room settings reminiscent of the post-Civil War era and weaving and spinning demonstrations by crafters in costumes. Read more »

One of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located near the historic Water Tower in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA has a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan. Read more »

The largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, The Museum of Science and Industry is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and 14 acres of hands-on exhibits. Read more »

Newly redone in 2001, this museum features artistic styles from many well-known artisans. The tour also discusses the works of art in relationship to Mexican culture. There are frequently special displays. There is also a very nice Mexican souvenir store. In the fall the museum features the largest "Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibet in North America. Read more »

The Museum houses over 700 works of fine art created by 117 artists who participated as soldiers in the Vietnam War. All of the pieces chronicle their individual experiences in that conflict. The artists come from the United States, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, and North and South Vietnam. Read more »

This museum is located on the campus of the University of Chicago and is dedicated to the study of the area of the ancient Near East. The Oriental Institute has many interesting and educational exhibits to view and special programs may be available for school groups. Read more »

The Peace Museum is the first and only museum in the United States with peace as it's curatorial focus. Since 1981, The Peace Museum has served Chicago and the world as a unique source of educational information about the history and practice of peace. The Museum's mission is to motivate children, teens and adults to achieve creative solutions to the problem of violence. The Museum is home to more than 10,000 peace-related artifacts and artworks, some of which are shown in exhibitions that change quarterly. Read more »

Housed among its permanent exhibits are: The Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, a sanctuary of 75 species of beautiful butterflies, educates guests on the life cycle of these amazing creatures. The Hands-on Habitat offers little explorers the chance to climb aboard the Tree of Life or dress up like a beaver! Kids can play in the underground prairie and challenge the wiggly-worm slide, all while learning more about trees and tree-dwelling creatures. Guests can also view live animal behaviors at the Mysteries of the Marsh exhibit, home to the Massasauga, a native and endangered Illinois rattlesnake. Read more »

The four-level Oceanarium brings you face to face with the Pacific Northwest natural habitat of dolphins, whales, sea otters and seals. The Shedd Aquarium is the world's largest indoor aquarium and house some 8,00 aquatic animals.
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