Museums give you a chance to get to know some of the world’s top creative minds and can provide quite a relaxing reprieve during a trip. Here are the seven best museums in Chicago, Illinois to add to your next trip.
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MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, one of the largest science museums in the world, is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity. Besides its impressive displays, this museum also offers a whole host of tours and experiences. Board an actual U-505 German 252 feet submarine from World War II or step inside Science Storms – a 40-foot simulated tornado with the forces of nature of lightning, fire in action.
| Address: 5700 Street Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA Opening hours: Daily 9.30 am – 4pm Cost: $21.95 at door, $19.95 if bought online |
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
Located in downtown Chicago in the USA, the Art Institute is one of the world’s great art museums, housing a collection that spans centuries and the globe. It is home to roughly 300,000 works of art, from ancient to contemporary. Made up of eight buildings and covering nearly 1 million square feet, the museum is a work of art in and of itself, displaying elements of historic Beaux-Arts architecture while simultaneously showcasing Greek and Roman influences with its Corinthian columns and friezes.
| Address: 111 Street Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60603, USA Opening hours: Daily 10.30am – 5pm; Thursday until 8pm Cost: $25 adults / $19 students |
SHEDD AQUARIUM
Located on Museum Campus, Shedd Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium in downtown Chicago, is home to over 19,000 aquatic creatures from around the world. Explore amazing galleries and cool ocean exhibits including Waters of the World, Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising. Discover beluga whales, sea otters and sea lions at the Oceanarium and witness the dolphins dance at the beloved Aquatic Show. Save time for a 4D movie about sharks and predators in the deep blue for a must-see viewing experience.
| Address: 1200 Street Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA Opening hours: Weekdays 9am – 5pm (6pm in the summer); Weekends 9am – 6pm Cost: $39.95 adults / $29.95 children. 50% discount for Chicago residents |
THE FIELD MUSEUM
For ornithology enthusiasts or would-be archeologists, you will find your thrills at the massive Field Museum. Home to more than 20-million specimens placed in a 480,000-square-feet exhibition space, the Field is one of the most prestigious institutions in the USA. Impressive exhibitions include SUE, the largest Tyrannosaurus rex ever unearthed while around the corner is a reconstructed Egyptian tomb and the hands-on lab for kids.
| Address: 1400 Street Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605, USA Opening hours: Daily 9am – 5pm; Closed Christmas Cost: $38 adults / $33 students for general admission |
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO
If you are looking for a kid-friendly museum in Chicago, then the Museum of Contemporary Art or MCA is a must to add to your bucket list. There is a constant rotation of thought-provoking works and artist retrospectives in the galleries; a cutting-edge mix of dance, music and theatre on the stage and a menu of seasonal cuisine from a top Chicago chef in the kitchen. Alfresco concerts and outdoor installations would be added in the warm-weather months.
| Address: 220 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA Opening hours: Daily 10am – 9pm Cost: $15 adults / $8 students, teachers and seniors. Free for kids under 18 years of age |
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
From fashion to photography, this museum in Chicago is well worth a visit. The Chicago History Museum is home to an excellent collection of 600 objects which allow you to better understand both Chicagoan and American history such as the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Souvenir shopping is great at the museum store.
| Address: 1601 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614 – 60638, USA Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.30am; Tuesday until 9pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm Cost: $19 adults / $17 students |
DUSABLE MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
Founded in 1961 by historian Dr. Margaret Burroughs, the DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the USA. It is home to more than 15,000 significant pieces, including art, print pieces and historical mementos that illustrate the role of African Americans in major events throughout US history, culture and art. In addition, this museum hosts special temporary exhibits throughout the year, topics of which might cover the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panther Party or the Emancipation Proclamation.
| Address: 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, Illinois 60637-1408, USA Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm; Sunday 12pm – 5pm; Closed Mondays Cost: $10 adults /$7 students |
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