Museums in Chicago

Updated April 9, 2019

The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has some fantastic museums! Below, you will find well-known and well-advertised museums, and you may also find some that you have not heard of before.

Use this page to find:

  • Museum addresses and website links.
  • General information regarding free admission. Many museums offer free admission to members, teachers, military personnel, and other groups. Visit each museum's website to learn more about free and discounted admission. The following programs also offer free admission to certain people (click on the links to learn more about the programs and to see if you qualify):
  • Current and upcoming temporary exhibitions.
  • An interactive map of Chicago's museums.
  • A calendar showing free days at Chicago museums (click on the link).

Check back regularly to get the latest updates.

Whether you're visiting an old favorite or exploring a museum you've never been to before, enjoy!

Adler Planetarium, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
On Illinois Resident Discount Days, Illinois residents who present a valid ID with an Illinois address receive free general admission, which includes all exhibitions and experiences (excluding the Atwood Sphere Experience and sky shows). On Illinois Resident Discount Days, Illinois residents can purchase the All Access Pass at a discounted price to access the Atwood Sphere Experience and sky shows. Upcoming Illinois Resident Discount Days: September 19–20, 26–27; October 7–9, 14–16; November 8, 11; December 2–3, 7, 12–13

American Writers Museum, 180 North Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chicago

Current temporary exhibits:

Upcoming temporary exhibit:

Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue/159 East Monroe Street, Chicago
Illinois residents receive free general admission from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday (except Thanksgiving, when the Art Institute of Chicago is closed). Proof of residence is required. If you do not have a state ID, please bring a lease, bill, or piece of mail that shows your name and Illinois address.

Current temporary exhibitions:

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago

Bronzeville Children's Museum, 9301 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago

Busy Beaver Button Museum, 3407 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago
Admission is free.

Charnley-Persky House Museum, 1365 North Astor Street, Chicago
Tours are free on Wednesdays at 12 noon.

Chicago Children's Museum, Navy Pier, 700 East Grand Avenue, Chicago
Admission is free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
Visitors age 15 and under receive free admission on the first Sunday of each month.

Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago
On Illinois Resident Discount Days, Illinois residents with a valid Illinois ID receive free admission. Illinois Resident Discount Days are on Tuesdays (excluding December 17, December 24, and December 31) from 12:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Note: In 2019, the Chicago History Museum will also offer Illinois residents free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 21), Presidents' Day (February 18), Chicago's Birthday (March 4), and July 4.

Current temporary exhibitions:

Upcoming temporary exhibition:

Chicago Maritime Museum, Bridgeport Art Center, 1200 West 35th Street, Suite 0E-5010, Chicago

Chicago Sports Museum, Water Tower Place, 835 North Michigan Avenue, Level 7, Chicago
Guests of Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch restaurant (located next to the Chicago Sports Museum) receive free admission with minimum purchase ($10 adults ages 12–64 and $6 children ages 4–11 and seniors age 65 and up). Children under the age of 3 always receive free admission.

Chinese-American Museum of Chicago, 238 West 23rd Street, Chicago
The suggested donation is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and $3 for seniors.

Clarke House Museum, 1827 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago
Tours are free on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

DePaul Art Museum, 935 West Fullerton Avenue, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibitions:

Design Museum of Chicago, Expo 72, 72 East Randolph Street, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibition:

Driehaus Museum, 40 East Erie Street, Chicago

Current temporary exhibitions:

DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 East 56th Place, Chicago
Admission is free on Tuesdays.

Edgewater Historical Society Museum, 5358 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago
Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
On Free Admission Days, Illinois residents who present a valid proof of residency (current Illinois driver's license, state ID, or Chicago CityKey card or a valid photo ID and one of the following: Illinois lease, Illinois library card, Illinois student ID with photo, Illinois utility bill, or Illinois work ID or check stub) receive free basic admission, which includes entry to general admission exhibitions. On Free Admission Days, Illinois residents can purchase a discounted Discovery Pass or discounted All-Access Pass to see ticketed exhibitions and 3D movies. Upcoming Free Admission Days: September 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13

Current temporary exhibitions:

Fire Museum of Greater Chicago, 5218 South Western Avenue, Chicago
Currently, the Fire Museum of Greater Chicago is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month, excluding December.
Admission is free.

Foodseum, Chicago
Foodseum had a pop-up location. Visit Foodseum online until its next location opens.
Admission is free.

Glessner House Museum, 1800 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago
Tours are free on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

Haitian American Museum of Chicago, 4654 North Racine Avenue, Chicago

International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Illinois residents with a valid Illinois ID or other proof of residency receive free admission on Tuesdays.

Current temporary exhibitions:

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, The University of Illinois at Chicago, 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago
The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum suggests a donation of $5 per person.

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Latvian Folk Art Museum, 4146 North Elston Avenue, Chicago

Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 North Greenview Avenue, Chicago

Loyola University Museum of Art, 820 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Loyola University Museum of Art will no longer be open to the public for daily admission, but it will function as both a special event and exhibition space for internal and external groups. READ MORE

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago (southwest bridge tower at North Michigan Avenue and East Upper Wacker Drive)
The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum is open seasonally from May through the end of October/beginning of November.
Admission is free on Sundays.

Current temporary exhibition:

Money Museum, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago
Admission is free.

Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 North State Street, Chicago

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Illinois residents receive free admission on Tuesdays.

Current temporary exhibitions:

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago, 600 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibition:

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
On Illinois Free Days, Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency receive free museum entry. Giant Dome Theater films, Coal Mine, optional U-505 onboard tours, and certain temporary exhibits are not included with the free museum entry and require separate admission fees. Upcoming Illinois Free Days: September 16–19, 23–26; October 29; November 18

Current temporary exhibits:

Upcoming temporary exhibits:

National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial, 2831 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago

National Hellenic Museum, 333 South Halsted Street, Chicago

National Indo-American Museum, Chicago
The National Indo-American Museum does not have its own physical location. Visit the website to view virtual exhibit galleries.

The National Indo-American Museum provides specially scheduled presentations to groups on request. Programs are held at Chicago’s Indo-American Center at 6328 North California Avenue. Donations are accepted to support educational activities.

National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 West 19th Street, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibitions:

Upcoming temporary exhibition:

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture, 3015 West Division Street, Chicago
Admission is free.

National Public Housing Museum, 625 North Kingsbury Street, Chicago

National Veterans Art Museum, 4041 North Milwaukee Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibition:

The Oriental Institute Museum, The University of Chicago, 1155 East 58th Street, Chicago
The Oriental Institute Museum has a suggested admission of $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago
Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents. This means admission is free for Illinois residents, but the admissions staff member may suggest that you make a donation.

The Polish Museum of America, 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago

Pritzker Military Museum & Library, 104 South Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, Chicago

2019 Free Admission Days
April 6 – Centennial of WWI
May 9 – Birthday of the Illinois National Guard
May 25 – Saturday before Memorial Day (in conjunction with Chicago’s observance of Memorial Day)
May 27 – Memorial Day
June 14 – Birthday of the United States Army
July 4 – Independence Day
August 4 – Birthday of the United States Coast Guard
September 11 – Anniversary of 9/11
September 18 – Birthday of the United States Air Force
October 13 – Birthday of the United States Navy
November 10 – Birthday of the United States Marine Corps
November 11 – Veteran’s Day
December 7 – Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor
December 13 – Birthday of the National Guard

Current temporary exhibits:

A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, 10406 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago
Enter at 817 East 104th Street, Chicago.
The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum is open seasonally for walk-in visits from April 14 through December 1.

The Renaissance Society, The University of Chicago, 5811 South Ellis Avenue, Cobb Hall, 4th Floor, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibition:

Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
On Illinois Resident Free Days, Illinois residents who present a valid ID receive free admission. Free admission includes all permanent exhibits, special exhibits, animal presentations, and Stingray Touch (open seasonally from late May to October). Shedd's 4-D Experience is not included; admission can be purchased for $4.95 ($2.95 for members). Upcoming Illinois Resident Free Days: September 16–18, 23–25, 30; October 1–2; and December 4

Current temporary exhibit:

Smart Museum of Art, The University of Chicago, 5550 South Greenwood Avenue, Chicago
Admission is free.

Current temporary exhibition:

Upcoming temporary exhibitions:

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Museum, 2245 South Wentworth Avenue, 3rd Floor, Chicago
Open Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Swedish American Museum, 5211 North Clark Street, Chicago
Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration, 5211 North Clark Street, Chicago
Admission is free on the second Tuesday of each month.

Current temporary exhibits:

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, 2320 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago

Current temporary exhibition:

Upcoming temporary exhibition:

Ukrainian National Museum, 2249 West Superior Street, Chicago

If you are aware of a Chicago museum that has not been included on this page, please send the museum's information via DM using Twitter (@InspiredChicago).

If you have questions regarding the interactive map, please read the Tips for Using This Map section.

Tips for Using This Map

Google My Maps Zoom In, Zoom Out
Use the Zoom In (+) and Zoom Out (–) features, located at the bottom of the map, to show more or less map detail.

Google My Maps Yellow IconClick on a map icon to open a panel showing detailed information about the museum (name, address, phone number, website address, rating, and photos). Choose the View in Google Maps link to get directions, see area street views, and access other features. To close the panel, click on the left-pointing arrow next to the museum's name.

Google My Maps OpenGoogle My Maps CloseUse these features to open and close a panel showing a description of the map and a list of all the museums on the map. To reveal more information in each section, click the section's ∨. To see less information in each section, click the ∧. Select a museum's name from the list to open a panel showing detailed information about the museum (name, address, phone number, website address, rating, and photos). Choose the View in Google Maps link to get directions, see area street views, and access other features. To close the panel and return to the list of all the museums, click on the left-pointing arrow next to the museum's name.

Google Maps Street View PersonWhen in Google Maps, drag and drop the Google Person onto the map to see the area in street view. You can then move up and down the streets to see what is in the neighborhood.

Google My Maps View Larger MapSelect this feature to open a new tab in your web browser and view a larger map. The map opens with the list of museums panel open. You will now have access to a search feature and more menu options. Click on the menus and try the different features to find those that work best for you.

Google My Maps Share
Share the map via Google+, Facebook, Twitter, or email. You can also embed the map on your own website.