Best Museums to Visit in Chicago: Top 10 Picks

Chicago is an exciting getaway destination—great for a long weekend. Chicago’s museums are bright jewels in its crown and rank among the best in the world. They cover a wide array of interests, from art to history, science, nature, and astronomy. Here are the top 10 museums that consistently stand out as the city’s most popular, based on attendance. Consequently, it’s advisable to find accommodation in the Loop or on the Magnificent Mile for convenience as you explore many of these museums.

The Shedd Aquarium

Address: 1200 S Dusable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA

Phone: +1 312-939-2438

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The Shedd is dedicated to engaging, inspiring, entertaining, and informing the public about the life in oceans and waterways. You’re in a building on Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago, but you are immersed in a world of coral reefs, rainforests, and the Pacific Northwest coast. The Shedd, on the Museum Campus northeast of Soldier Field, prides itself on its dedication to conservation and the protection of wildlife habitats.

Museum of Science and Industry

Address: 5700 S Dusable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60637, USA

Phone: +1 773-684-1414

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Since 1933, this enormous museum in the Hyde Park neighborhood has been dedicated to educating the public about science and technology. From the coal mine exhibit with a working elevator to the captured German World War II submarine, the museum’s collections and hands-on exhibits never fail to thrill kids, and adults have a pretty good time, too. It also hosts special exhibits like “Brick by Brick,” a Lego structures challenge, and “Robot Revolution,” showcasing collections from around the world.

The Art Institute of Chicago

Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA

Phone: +1 312-443-3600

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The Art Institute of Chicago consistently ranks among Chicago’s most-visited museums and is the second-largest and one of the most prominent art museums in the United States. Its famous lions greet you on the steps as you enter from Michigan Avenue in the Loop. Renowned for its impressionist, post-impressionist, and American art collections, it boasts one of the largest collections of Claude Monet’s work in the country. The Thorne Miniature Rooms provide a unique and special exhibition that is quite captivating.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Address: 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

Phone: +1 312-280-2660

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Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art explores, exhibits, and collects art created since 1945. The museum’s mission allows the public to directly experience the work and ideas of living artists while understanding the historical, social, and cultural context of contemporary art.

National Museum of Mexican Art

Address: 1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608-2706, USA

Phone: +1 312-738-1503

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The National Museum of Mexican Art, southwest of the Loop, focuses on stimulating and preserving knowledge of, and appreciation for, Mexican culture. It is one of the largest collections of Latino art in the nation and the only Latino institution to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums, housing more than 5,500 objects.

Adler Planetarium

Address: 1300 S Dusable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA

Phone: +1 312-922-7827

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The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, located on Museum Campus just east of Soldier Field, is America’s first and oldest planetarium, having been founded in 1930. It features two stargazing theaters, a collection of antique instruments, extensive exhibit space, and many hands-on exhibits, all while providing stunning views of the city’s skyline.

The Chicago History Museum

Address: 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

Phone: +1 312-642-4600

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The Chicago History Museum, located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, showcases artifacts from its extensive 22-million item collection, highlighting the breadth of the city’s rich history. Covering topics from the Chicago Bulls to the Great Chicago Fire, the museum contextualizes Chicago’s past, making it relevant to contemporary audiences.

The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

Address: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637-1408, USA

Phone: +1 773-947-0600

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The DuSable is the nation’s oldest museum dedicated to exploring, documenting, and celebrating Black history in the U.S., located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. It’s an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, with holdings of 15,000 paintings, sculptures, and historic memorabilia complemented by educational programs and temporary exhibits.

The Field Museum of Natural History

Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA

Phone: +1 312-922-9410

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The Field Museum is particularly well-known for its dinosaur displays, which attract many young visitors. Additionally, it focuses on the diversity of relationships in nature and cultures, managing a collection of over 20 million objects. The museum has a rich history, with beginnings linked to the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893, and is located on Museum Campus alongside the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Address: 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA

Phone: +1 773-755-5100

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The Nature Museum in Lincoln Park is devoted to educating the public about the environment and nature, collaborating with the Chicago Academy of Sciences for exhibits and programs. The museum features a 27,000-square-foot greenhouse housing over 1,000 butterflies of 40 species. The tropical environment is quite a contrast in winter, making it a delightful visit. Visitors can witness exotic birds such as macaws and aracari, while also learning about diverse ecosystems like marshes, dunes, prairies, and savannas—all part of the rich Chicago environment.