Chicago Museums & History

Chicago Museums & HistoryAs the third-largest city in the United States, you know Chicago has to be steeped in art, culture, history...and maybe even a little something extra. Explore these museums for the greatest insight to local, national and world-renown artists from all walks of life, and the most intense dissections of city history available. Art lovers and history buffs rejoice!

Enjoy the great works of contemporary art displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. The museum is one of the largest in the world and showcases pieces by Jasper Johns, Chuck Close, Francis Bacon, and Andy Warhol.

Address: 220 East Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60611 - MAP
Phone: (312) 280-2660
Web: www.mcachicago.org

National Museum of Mexican Art
Expand your knowledge of Latino art and culture at the National Museum of Mexican Art. The museum showcases artworks in the fields of Pre-Cuahtemoc, Ephemera, textiles, folk art, prints and drawings, photography, painting, and sculptures. Learn more...

Address: 1852 West 19th St., Chicago IL 60608 - MAP
Phone: (312) 738-1503
Web: www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org

DuSable Museum of African Art
Get an in-depth view of African American history and culture at the DuSable Museum of African Art. The museum was the first of its kind in the nation and explores topics like the history of African Americans in the military, the career of Chicago's first African American Mayor and the Civil Rights Movement. Learn more...

Address: 740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637 - MAP
Phone: (773) 947-0600
Web: www.dusablemuseum.org

Museum of Science and Industry
Be ready to discover things you never knew about the Earth, the human body, technology, science and much more at the Museum of Science and Industry. In all, the museum has over 2,000 exhibits to educate and enlighten its patrons. Learn more...

Address: 5700 South Lake Shore Dr., Chicago IL 60637 - MAP
Phone: (773) 684-1414
Web: www.msichicago.org

Glessner House Museum
Step foot into one of the most innovative residences built in the 19th Century. The Glessner House Museum allows the opportunity to walk through its rooms, restored and furnished to their original appearance.

Address: 1800 South Prairie Ave., Chicago IL 60616 - MAP
Phone: (312) 326-1480
Web: www.glessnerhouse.org

Museum of Contemporary Photography
Find the art, beauty and cultural significance of print photography at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. The museum is the only one of its kind in the Midwest and features over 7,000 pieces of photography by renowned photographers like Ansel Adams, Harry Callahan, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Irving Penn, and Julia Margaret Cameron. Learn more...

Address: 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60605 - MAP
Phone: (312) 663-5554
Web: www.mocp.org

Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design
Discover the key features and history of Chicago's 20th century architecture at the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. The museum also showcases early examples of modern technological inventions like the television, the telephone, a toaster and other appliances.

Address: 601 South Prospect St., Galena IL 61036 - MAP
Phone: (815) 777-4444
Web: www.chi-athenaeum.org

Learn about the history of railway transportation and its impact on the country at the Illinois Railway Museum. The museum displays more than 400 pieces of original equipment like horsecars, steam locomotives and passenger cars from the days when railroad transportation was vital for industrial purposes and everyday life in America.

Address: 7000 Olson Rd., Union IL 60180 - MAP
Phone: (815) 923-4000
Web: www.irm.org

Chicago History Museum
Browse through unique exhibits and more than 22 million artifacts detailing the history of Chicago. The Chicago History Museum currently houses objects like Abraham Lincoln's death bed and the city's first passenger car. The museum's research library displays important reference materials like books, manuscripts, paintings, sculptures and photos significant to Chicago history. Learn more...

Address: 1601 North Clark St., Chicago IL 60614 - MAP
Phone: (312) 642-4600
Web: www.chicagohistory.org

Also...

Field Museum of Natural History

Address: 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago IL 60605 - MAP
Phone: (312) 922-9410
Web: www.fieldmuseum.org

Art Institute of Chicago

Address: 111 South Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60603 - MAP
Phone: (312) 443-3600
Web: www.artic.edu

Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

Address: 600 East Grand Ave., Chicago IL 60611 - MAP
Phone: (312) 595-5024
Web: www.navypier.com