Chicago has no shortage of museums. From history to art to various cultures, you can find a museum for all kinds of things in the Windy City. But if you’re in a time crunch while visiting Chicago, you won’t be able to go to every museum.
So if you only have a few days to explore Chicago, I’ve narrowed down the list to the best Chicago museums. Below are must-visits while in the Windy City, my absolute favorite museums to explore. You won’t want to miss out on these.
To make the most of your time here, check out how to get around Chicago like a local!
The Best Chicago Museums
Prepare for your trip to Chicago and enjoy as many museums as you can. This city is a sight to see and has so much to offer. Maximize your time here and take a look at my Chicago travel guides.
Field Museum
History
Full of historical artifacts, dinosaur bones, unique exhibits and more, the Field Museum is the perfect place to start your Chicago museum exploring. If you’re a history buff, or if you enjoy learning about ancient artifacts and other cultures, the Field Museum is filled to the brim with information for you to digest.
Shedd Aquarium
Aquarium
If you’re a lover of the ocean and marine life, the Shedd Aquarium is a fantastic place to go. It is one of the best aquariums in the US, even though it’s located in the middle of the midwest! You can run through and admire the main attractions in a couple of hours, or spend the day here thoroughly exploring every exhibit.
Art Institute of Chicago
Art & History
A huge museum filled with art from all around the world from all different time periods. If you enjoy all things art, this is the perfect place for you. It would take you all day to see every exhibit in the AIC, in fact, it might take longer, but it is a great place to spend several hours seeing what you like!
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Art Gallery
If you want to explore a smaller art museum and have time to visit others, then the MCA is the place for you. There are still multiple levels with several exhibits created by different artists. The exhibits here change every few months, which is fun because it makes every visit unique.
National Museum of Mexican Art
History & Art
This is a fantastic museum to visit and learn about Mexican history and Mexican art. With beautiful creations by Mexican artists, you will find showcases of culture and emotion in these art pieces. And it’s free!
Museum of Science and Industry
Technology & Science
With interactive exhibits to walk through, here you will learn about weather, automobile evolution, space technology, biology, and more. Visiting the Museum of Science and Industry is like walking through time and seeing first hand how science and technology have evolved and changed our planet. A great place for people of all ages!
Adler Planetarium
Astronomy
This one is for all of you who love everything to do with space, planets, and stars. The Adler Planetarium has many different exhibits to admire. You can purchase general admission tickets and walk through every exhibit. Or you can choose to add a show to your ticket. There are several different shows about space and planets, etc. that rotate through the planetarium.
WNDR Museum
Interactive Art
An interactive art museum with displays from well known artists, such as Yayoi Kusama. The WNDR museum is great for all ages, and it’s always a fun time! You can scan a QR code and learn more about the artist and the installation, or you can just walk through and interact as you please. There’s also a really cool store at the end!
Chicago History Museum
History
Go for a walk through time and experience Chicago changing through the ages. With photos and all kinds of artifacts, you can experience history as though you were there. From Chicago food to women’s rights, learn all about what makes Chicago the city it is today.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Nature & Science
While Chicago is a big city filled with skyscrapers, trains, cars, and people, you can find a surprising amount nature in the Windy City. And there is no better place to learn about it than in the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. It’s very hands on which is great for kids, but its’ still a fun place to visit as an adult. They even have a butterfly room!
Before You Visit Chicago...
Make the most of your trip and prepare for it in advance. Chicago is a huge city with so much to offer. Make a plan for your visit so you can maximize your time here!
If you’re looking for other fun activities, check out the best things to do in Chicago for first-timers and how to celebrate the holidays in Chicago!
There are many incredible museums to explore in Chicago, but these are our favorites! They’re the best Chicago museums, and if you have time, you should visit them all. This midwestern city is an incredible place to travel to and we hope you fall in love with Chicago as much as we did!
If you’re planning a trip to the Windy City, take a look at the best restaurants and the coziest local coffee shops in Chicago! You can’t go wrong with a trip to Chicago. This city is well worth being explored by tourists and residents alike.
What kind of museums do you enjoy visiting? Let us know in the comments below!
