Chicago Museums

Founded in the year 1893, the Field Museum is one the best Chicago museum to visit. Initially home to the biological and anthropological collections, the museum now houses over 20 exhibitions, across an area of 480000 square feet. You can indulge in experiences such as viewing the towering Dinos, knowing about the historical artefacts from ancient Egypt, and relaxing in the Chinese rock garden. If visiting with your kids, you can go for the “Evolving Planet” exhibit, displaying dinosaur remains and extensive natural history.

Home to an extensive marine life, the Shedd Aquarium is a must visit Chicago museum, housing species such as piranhas, frogs, and snakes of the Amazon. You can also find here, the rays and turtles from the Caribbean. Other marine animals to look out for when visiting this museum are the sharks, jellies, penguins, sea lions, and the beluga whale. The aquarium displays over seven exhibits, offering varied and interesting experiences.

One of the most popular structures in Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago is a significant cultural building. This Chicago museum houses over 300,000 artworks and artefacts in the collection, and you will also find several beautiful sculptures along with art. Some of the notable attractions here are the,” A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” by Georges Seurat, and the contemporary collection in the Modern Wing. You can also explore the Thorne Miniatures rooms, located in the museum’s basement.

Initially known as the Chicago historical society, if you are a history enthusiast then the Chicago History Museum is a must visit for you. This is among those museums in Chicago which display the past of the city in the most extensive way. You can find exhibitions related to Abraham Linclon and other historical figures, and regarding the traditional lifestyle of people in Chicago. You can also indulge in the “Chicago: Crossroads of America” experience by boarding the vintage L car. Since this Chicago museum is located along the lake, it is a great place to take a stroll.

One of the largest institutions across the world devoted to art, the Museum of Contemporary Art was built post the 1950. Known for hosting several popular art exhibitions, this is one of the most exciting museums in Chicago to visit. Famous personalities such as Virgil Abloh, David Bowie, and Takashi Murakami have participated in the exhibitions as well. You can find artworks created by various local and international artists, and the museum also has a gift shop from where you can bring back souvenirs for your loved ones.

Appealing to both younger and older crowds alike, the Museum of Science and Industry is a must visit Chicago museum if you are a technology enthusiast. You can find exhibits such as the U-505 German Submarine, a Coal mine, and a rebuilt version of the Chicago street circa 1910. Experiences are both fun, and informative here. This museum was originally built to cater to the World’s Columbian Exposition, which took place in 1893.

With ongoing research for about 100 years by the Oriental institute at the University of Chicago on the subject matter, the collective human history, this museum is home to artefacts as old as 6000 years. You can view objects such as saddles, ceramic items, and Megiddo Ivories from ancient Assyria, Anatolia, Israel, Egypt, Persia, and Mesopotamia. One of the most notable attractions here is the 40-ton winged bull structure, human-headed in appearance, procured from Khorsabad.

Located in Hyde park, in the campus of University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art, was a place dedicated to researchers and scholars to learn about art, and create exhibitions. Now, this Chicago museum houses the collection of fine art from the university, and also comprises scrolls from China. You can also spot famous works by Kerry James Marshall and Andy Warhol. Do not forget to go by experiences dedicated to installations and local art museums.

The Adler Planetarium is among the first planetariums in the Western World, and is one of the must visit museums in Chicago. You can indulge in the permanent exhibits present here, related to science and technology. Immerse in the sky theatre experience here, and do attend the dazzling sky shows at Grainger Sky Theatre. Also, you can indulge in the Doane Observatory experience, once you have learnt about the skies.

Founded in 1961, the DuSable Museum of African American history is the oldest Chicago museum related to the African American community. You can view exhibits, artefacts and documents related to the famous activist, Ida B. Wells, and poet Langston Hughes. You can go through the rich collection of African American art present here. If you are a Grammy awards fan, you can also view Chance the Rapper’s Grammy award here. This Chicago museum also hosts several literary events, and is the one the most interesting museums to visit.

Located in Harrison Park, the National Museum of Mexican Art is one of the biggest Latinx cultural organisations in the US. This Chicago museum highlights more than 10,000 exhibits of art from artists from either side of the borders. One of the most notable attractions here is the Nuestra Historias, which includes paintings from the 18th century and objects such as a tricked-out lawn mower. There are several shows which are hosted here, and works of Frida Kahlo’s personal collection are also displayed.