museums in chicago downtown

The MCA Chicago is one of the nation's largest multidisciplinary museums devoted to the art of our time with an international reputation for presenting ground-breaking exhibitions. Although not on permanent display, works from the collection appear regularly in our many rotating exhibitions. Its collection features artists such as Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Kara Walker, and Alexander Calder.

The MCA boasts an award-winning store and Marisol, the restaurant and bar, featuring innovative flavors in an immersive art environment. The performing arts program features leading performers from around the globe in its 300-seat theater. The museum offers tours and programs for all ages and is free for all youth 18 and under. When this museum opened in its new aluminum-lined facility in 1996, it became the country's largest museum of contemporary art. Featured works go far beyond two dimensions and include such diverse media as sculpture, photography, dance, performance and music. Three large exhibition floors showcase more than 7000 objects, including pieces by Sol LeWitt, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and Rene Magritte.

Don't miss the sculpture garden, which covers more than an acre. If you're there in the summer, check out the summer solstice celebration that includes a number of unique, art-related events. Admission is free for children under 12 throughout the year and for all Illinois residents on Tuesdays. This accredited museum in the Pilsen area is dedicated to preserving and facilitating knowledge about Latino life and history. Exhibits focus on Mexican culture as it's represented in the US and in Mexico, and the permanent collection includes folk art, ephemera, sculpture, textiles and drawings. Performing arts are also featured and the center hosts special events throughout the year to advance the museum's objectives.

The Museum proudly houses more than 7,000 objects and its permanent collection is one of the largest of Mexican art in the country. After visiting the Museum, opt to have some authentic Mexican food nearby since Pilsen in loaded with great Mexican restaurants and bakeries. The Field Museum of Natural History is one of the biggest natural history museums in the world. The Field Museum is considered a leader in its scientific and educational programming.

The Field Museum's permanent collection includes more than 24 million different specimens, including fossils, meteorites, and gems. The Field Museum also houses an extensive library with more than 275,000 works. An estimated two million people visit Chicago's Field Museum annually.

Outside of Warsaw, the biggest Polish population lives in Chicago with more than one million people of Polish ancestry residing here. This museum is one of the oldest and largest ethnic museums in the United States and has been collecting pieces of its history since the first immigrants settled here. The museum's library, with English and Polish titles in history and literature, is one of the most significant Polish libraries in the United States. It offers visitors a range of exhibits, resources and activities related to Polish history, culture and heritage, as well as Polish American history. Tour guides are available to assist visitors and provide additional information and events and exhibits are planned throughout the year.

The DePaul Art Museum is located on DePaul University's campus in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The DPAM has a permanent collection of more than 3,500 different objects with a heavy focus on international contemporary and modern art. Phenomenal architecture, breathtaking landscape design and memorable art all come together at Millennium Park. It's a remarkable space to take in awe-inspiring perspectives of the city and experience cultural events at the same time. From concerts to exhibits to family activities, you're sure to discover great things to do at this state-of-the-art park.

For more cultural immersion, the city boasts some of the best museums in the world. Check out the 1944 German submarine – the U-505 – at the Museum of Science and Industry. On the same museum campus you will also find dolphins and sharks at the Shedd Aquarium, and all the mysteries of the skies at the Adler Planetarium.

If art is your thing, you can visit the French Impressionist Gallery at the Art Institute, home to one of the largest collections of Impressionist art outside of Paris. Just up Michigan Avenue from the Art Institute you will find the Museum of Contemporary Art, a state of the art museum focusing on surrealism, minimalism, conceptual photography and work by area based artists. Located just steps from the famous Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, and renowned museums in downtown Chicago, contemporary art surrounds and inspires you at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. Discover a new kind of cultural and travel experience with this multi-venue museum and 297 room boutique hotel featuring 106 suites. Immerse yourself in American literary traditions, and enjoy a host of interactive exhibitions, during a visit to Chicago's one-of-a-kind American Writers Museum.

Conveniently located on Michigan Avenue, the museum was established in 2017, and is one of the city's newest highlight institutions. Guarantee your admission, and prevent any travel hassles, by securing your tickets in advance. An ape house, a birdhouse and a working model of a five-acre Midwestern farm are just a few examples of what makes this zoo special. Founded in 1868 and known as America's oldest free public zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo still manages to charge no admission and remains open year-round. Set on scenic park grounds with lush lawns and pleasant walkways, the zoo greets visitors with the beauty of Georgian Revival buildings and a spectacular greenhouse. See a white blotched river stingray in a rainforest habitat; a dynamic, new exhibit home to African penguins; snap a selfie at the swan pond; and then there are the elephants, giraffes, sea lions, gorillas and reptiles.

The Zoo is open 365 days a year and constantly hosts events and activities. Check the website for announcements on newborns - always a treat. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is one of the world's most vibrant and exciting cities in the US. Ride the Centennial wheel at Navy Pier or stargaze at Adler Planetarium. Take a boat tour on the Chicago River, or soak up sweeping views from the Skydeck of Willis Tower, the second tallest building in the country.

The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago's campus. The Smart Museum has a permanent collection with more than 15,000 objects, ranging from modern art to Asian art to contemporary art to European art. The Smart Museum's collection is often used in teachings at the University. Guests come from all around the world to see towering dinos, marvel at ancient artifacts from a royal Egyptian tomb or relax in a Chinese rock garden hidden inside the Cyrus Tang Hall of China. While a gigantic titanosaur skeleton named Máximo now guards the lobby, you'll find the Field's former greeter, SUE the T.

There's something for everyone, and you can easily spend an entire day here. Today, visitors can explore historic exhibitions, borrow seeds from an heirloom seed library, learn about urban horticulture, eat soup and debate politics, and see contemporary art exhibitions. Visit the Field Museum like a VIP on this one- hour early access VIP tour. Head inside the Field Museum at 8am before it opens to the general public and see our most famous exhibition with a Museum expert. Start your visit with a personalized tour of the Field's awe-insipiring and ever-popular Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet and SUE the T. Get to know the many creatures that have roamed the earth throughout history.

Head down to Stanley Field Hall to learn about Maximo the titanosaur before stopping in the Field Bistro for a break. The VIP tour is limited to 20 people to ensure a more intimate experience. Delve deep into the world of natural history with this Field Museum admission ticket in Chicago.

Spend as long as you like exploring the museum's collection of more than 26 million artifacts. Time travel through 13,000 years of history in the Americas, from the Ice Age to Inca and Aztec temples. Take advantage of the free daily tours, led by Field Museum docents. The exterior of this hulking marble facility only hints at the historic treasures inside.

The architect's goal was boldness and he achieved it with massive columns and striking galleries filled with natural light. Visitors are immediately greeted by two massive elephants and Maximo the Titanosaur. Keep going and you'll delve into paleontology, geology, botany, anthropology and much more.

With nine acres of space to set up, curators can change displays regularly and still have more than 40 million items from which to choose. If time is tight, opt for the Basic Admission pass which doesn't include access to the special exhibits but allows visitors plenty to see and enjoy. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Chicago is designed to highlight the culture and arts of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican people living in the city. The museum focuses on exhibits, education, and hosts a variety of festivals for the city, including music shows and an annual Jazz extravaganza. The museum has enjoyed works from famed artists, including Osvaldo Budet, Lizette Cruz, and Antonio Martorell. The Arts Club of Chicago is an art museum with public exhibitions and private tours.

The club's first floors are open to the public at no admission cost; private tours of the permanent collection can be arranged. The Arts Club, which opened in 1916, was home to the first United States showing of Pablo Picasso's work. The club has an exclusive membership program despite being open to the public; to become a member, one must be invited by a current club member.

Founded in 1856 by the Chicago Historical Society, the museum burned down in the Great Fire of 1871. Three years later, another devastating blaze incinerated the remains of its collection. Things began looking up in 1920, when the Society bought paintings, manuscripts, and artifacts from the estate of confectioner Charles F Gunther, including a compass owned by George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's deathbed. A century later, the Chicago History Museum continues to dedicate itself to telling the story of Chicago and its people through engaging exhibits covering music, film, design, fashion and historic events. You can see bright, colorful murals by walking through the streets of Pilsen, but there's even more amazing art on display at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Harrison Park. One of the largest Latinx cultural organizations in the U.S., exhibitions draw from a permanent collection of more than 10,000 works, highlighting the creativity of artists on both sides of the border.

Start with the permanent exhibit "Nuestra Historias," which includes everything from 18th century religious paintings to a tricked-out lawn mower. Admission is always free, new shows debut regularly and you'll usually find vendors selling fresh churros just outside the museum's entrance, delicious. Situated on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park , the Smart Museum of Art was conceived as an institution where scholars could study the arts and develop exhibitions. Explore exhibits devoted to sprawling installations and local art movements before taking a seat in the museum's courtyard smartly sculpture garden. Learn more about the Chicago River and its famous movable bridges at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.

The five-story museums allows visitors to explore a historic bridgehouse, watch the massive gears of a moving bridge, take in stunning water views, and learn about the history of the Chicago River. Be some of the first to see a brand new exhibit refresh throughout the museum. Field Museum Of Natural History, ChicagoOne of the best and largest natural history museums in the world, the Field Museum's museum collection has swelled to more than 24 million objects since it opened in 1893.

This a place to feed your fascination for the natural world, with grand Neoclassical halls housing fossils, priceless gemstones and animal and plant specimens. Millennium Park is one of Chicago's most popular tourist destinations. An award-winning center for art, music, architecture and landscape design, Millennium Park is the result of a unique partnership between the City of Chicago and the philanthropic community.

The 24.5-acre park features the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers. The Field Museum of Natural History, located just south of Grant Park features "Sue", the world's largest, most complete, and best-preserved T-Rex. On the same museum campus, you'll also find the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium.

Another must see on your Chicago Entertainment museum tour is the Museum of Science and Industry, the oldest and most visited science museum of its kind in the western hemisphere. And, don't forget the Art Institute of Chicago with its famous lions at the front entrance. The Grove is a unique outdoor experience, with 143 acres of nature preserve dotted with historic buildings. The picturesque Kennicott House was built in 1856 by doctor and agriculturalist Dr. John A. Kennicott. Today, it's a museum where docents offer hands-on activities and interpret The Grove's human and natural history. The nearby Tudor-style Redfield Estate, built circa 1929 by a Kennicott descendent, is rentable for private gatherings.

Buy your Field Museum Discovery Pass in advance to streamline your sightseeing experience in Chicago. With pass in hand, you'll save time waiting in line and get access to all general admission exhibits, as well as one ticketed special exhibition or a 3D movie. Your pass gives you the ability to explore on your own time, spending as long as you like in the Hall of Gems or checking out the titanosaur. Tower above the Windy City's world-famous skyline with admission to 360 Chicago . Ascend 94 stories to the observation deck of one of the tallest buildings in North America aboard its lightning-fast elevator.

Then check out bird's-eye views of landmarks like the famous Willis Tower and the lakefront shoreline, and enjoy a variety of educational exhibits on site. Upgrade your ticket to include TILT, a thrill ride that offers visitors unique, downward facing views from 1,030 feet. Or, choose the Sun and Stars package for two visits to the observation deck within 48 hours. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into 360 Chicago. The Chicago Children's Museum at the Navy Pier is an interactive educational experience for kids.

Whether you're a parent, aunt and uncle, or grandparents, this is the best place to take the young kids in your family for a day of exploration. From dinosaurs to water systems, to learning about firefighters, kids come to play and learn about science, engineering, art, and technology. The Adler isn't my favorite of Chicago's museums; I confess I found myself a bit disappointed in some of the exhibits which were a bit heavy on the reading. While those are great for kids and adults who are fascinated by space, younger kids and those with shorter attention spans might not be as enthralled.

There are some hands-on exhibitions and informative demos to help kids and adults learn about the wonders of the universe, I just wish there were more. If space is your passion, spring for the extra tickets to attend special movies or explore the night sky from a seat in the Adler's theater, where stars are projected onto the ceiling for viewing. When you see the price of admission to museums you'll be glad to know that most of our world-class museums offer free days - so check the web sites and plan your visit accordingly. Then, there are those that are always free such as the National Museum of Mexican Art (reopens Sept., 2021) and the Smart Museum of Art. Ice skating is free during the winter at Millennium Park and the Riverwalk just keeps on getting better with art installations, live music and nooks to hang out and watch the world go by. The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago is the United States' biggest museum dedicated to Lithuania.

The Balzekas Museum highlights the country's culture, politics, history, language, and traditions, all with a special focus on Lithuanian Americans. In addition to its exhibits and collection, the museum will often showcase various workshops and events dedicated to Lithuanian culture. Chicago is the perfect home for the Balzekas Museum; the Windy City has the largest number of Lithuanian people living anywhere in the world outside of Lithuania. The building itself was designed by architect Tadao Ando, who won the Pritzker Prize, which is an award to honor architects whose work shows a unique talent, vision and commitment. Ando specializes in the transformation of buildings from the 1920s. The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum displays its exhibits along Chicago's famous river and bridges.

The museum is all about the impact of the river and moveable bridges on the city. Museum guests are able to head down to the river level to check out the incredible gears on the bridge before they are taken through the river's story. After ascending the Bridgehouse, visitors will enjoy a stunning city view. The Polish Museum of America is located in Chicago's West Town, where Polish history in the city has been rich. The museum is considered one of the oldest ethnic museums in the country.