Explore Chicago » Museums

Field Museum

One of Chicago's most popular museums, the Field has exhibits on natural history, ethnography, science, and history. See one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian mummies outside Egypt, the most complete T-rex skeleton ever found, or the taxidermied remains of the infamous Tsavo Lions. The huge museum can easily occupy a full day, even without the addition of their impressive special exhibitions.

Adler Planetarium

Although a relatively small museum, the Adler takes you on an in-depth exploration of space, from the Big Bang and the formation of our solar system to human interpretation of the stars and the future of space travel. The museum is set on the end of the Museum Campus with breathtaking 360 degree views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

Museum of Science & Industry

Another of Chicago's huge and popular museums, the MSI has exhibits on any type of science or technology you could be interested in.

Explore the science of tornados or the technology of modern agriculture, tour a real U-class German submarine or an inactive coal mine, walk through galleries on genetics and muscle structure or one filled with models of historic sailing ships.

There is also an IMAX theater which shows science and tech documentaries, as well as travelling exhibits.

Art Institute of Chicago

Located in the heart of downtown, visitors to the Institute are greeted by the famous AIC lions. Inside, check out Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, or works by Monet, Dali, Picasso, O'Keefe, and van Gogh.

Don't miss famous American paintings Nighthawks (E. Hopper) or American Gothic (G. Wood) either. There are also galleries full of Medieval European armor, glass paperweights, and painstakingly-crafted dollhouses.

Oriental Institute

Tucked away on the campus of the University of Chicago in Chicago's Hyde Park, the Oriental Institute reflects the University's long involvement in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Levantine archaeological research.

See panels removed from Assyrian palaces, a massive collection of cuneiform tablets, imposing statues of Tutankhamun, and an Iamassu (human headed-winged bull). Although small, the museum is densely packed. Enjoy a pastry in one of the University's quirky coffee shops after your visit.