Chicago Museums: Book Tickets Now

Chicago's museums go deep. Pick one, or work through a few. Book your tickets today.

American Writers Museum

From $16.00

Chicago Architecture Center Exhibits

From $14.00

Chicago History Museum Admission

From $19.00

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA)

From $22.00

The Art Institute of Chicago: Fast Pass

From $40.00

The Art Institute of Chicago: Skip The Line Ticket + Exclusive Guided Tour

From $84.00

The Art Institute of Chicago: Skip-The-Line & Semi-Private Tour

From $90.10

The Field Museum of Natural History: General Admission

From $29.00

Chicago has more than 50 museums, which sounds overwhelming until you realise most of the heavyweights sit within a short distance of each other. The Museum Campus on the lakefront alone puts the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium within walking distance of one another. Add the Art Institute and the Museum of Contemporary Art a mile or so north, and you could spend three days without leaving a fairly compact stretch of the city.

Browse what's below and book ahead, especially for the bigger institutions on weekends.

Which Chicago Museums Should I Visit?

Art and contemporary museums

The Art Institute of Chicago has been on Michigan Avenue since 1893 and holds a collection of around 300,000 works spanning everything from ancient Greek artifacts to American modernism. Grant Wood's American Gothic and Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte are both here.

A few blocks north, the Museum of Contemporary Art focuses on work made after 1945, with rotating exhibitions and large-scale installations that change the feel of the building entirely from one visit to the next.

Natural history and science

The Field Museum opened after the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and hasn't really stopped growing since. SUE, one of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found, is its most famous resident, but the collections extend through ancient Egypt, gemstones and the cultures of the Pacific. It's the kind of museum where four hours disappear without you noticing.

The Chicago Architecture Center, a block from Millennium Park, is smaller but focused, with exhibits that trace the city's building history from the Great Fire through to current construction projects.

History and literature

The Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park holds more than 20 million items covering the city's past, from its indigenous history and the Great Fire of 1871 to the jazz age and the rise of the modern city. It's thorough without feeling academic.

The American Writers Museum on Michigan Avenue takes a different approach, using interactive displays and touchscreens to trace five centuries of American writing, from Mark Twain through to contemporary voices, across 10,000 square feet on one floor.

Guided museum visits

Several of Chicago's museums are large enough that a guide makes a genuine difference to what you get out of a visit. A guided tour of the Art Institute, for example, takes you directly to the highlights of the permanent collection and explains the context behind them, which is a better use of two hours than navigating the galleries alone.

Skip-the-line options are worth considering at the busier institutions, particularly the Art Institute and the Field Museum on peak summer days.

Good to Know About Chicago Museums

The Art Institute, the Field Museum and the Chicago History Museum all offer free or reduced admission days for Illinois residents at certain times of year.

Booking tickets online in advance is recommended for the Art Institute and the Field Museum, especially on summer weekends when queues can be long.

The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium sit on the Museum Campus near the lakefront, making it easy to combine two or three in a single day.

Most of Chicago's major museums are indoors and open year-round, making them a reliable option in any season.

A guided tour is worth considering at larger institutions like the Art Institute, where the permanent collection alone covers multiple floors.

The Museum of Contemporary Art is a short walk from the Magnificent Mile and easy to combine with time in the surrounding neighborhood.

The American Writers Museum is a compact, one-floor experience that typically takes under two hours to explore fully.

Photography policies vary by museum and by exhibition, so check before you start snapping in temporary galleries.

Chicago Museums - Gallery

Chicago's Top 5 Picks

The Art Institute of Chicago

Explore 5,000 years of global masterpieces in Grant Park. Book your tickets for this iconic landmark.

Chicago History Museum

Discover 200 years of iconic stories and sightseeing. Secure your official tickets for this premier Chicago attraction today.

Chicago Architecture Center

The city's premier hub for sightseeing and historical design. Secure your tickets to explore immersive exhibits.

Centennial Wheel

Discover 360-degree Chicago sightseeing from Navy Pier. Book your entry now for this top experience.

Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago

Discover innovative exhibits and immersive performances. Get your tickets for this iconic attraction.

FAQs about Chicago Museums

What are the best museums in Chicago?

The Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art are among the most visited, though the Chicago History Museum and the American Writers Museum are worth the time if your interests go that way.

How many museums are there in Chicago?

Chicago has more than 50 museums, covering art, natural history, science, architecture, literature and much more.

Are Chicago museums open year-round?

Yes, the major museums are open year-round, though hours can vary on public holidays so it's worth checking before you visit.

Do I need to book museum tickets in advance?

It's strongly recommended for the Art Institute and the Field Museum on busy days, and guided tours should always be booked ahead to secure your preferred time.

Are Chicago museums good for kids?

Many are well set up for families, particularly the Field Museum with its dinosaur specimens and the Chicago History Museum with its interactive displays.

Is a guided museum tour worth it?

At larger institutions like the Art Institute, a guide helps you focus on the highlights and understand the context behind what you're seeing, which makes a real difference at a museum of that size.

Which Chicago museums are close to each other?

The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium are all on the Museum Campus near the lakefront, while the Art Institute and Museum of Contemporary Art are both accessible from Michigan Avenue.

How long does it take to visit the Art Institute of Chicago?

Most visitors spend two to four hours, though the collection is large enough that you could return multiple times and still find new things.

What is the Chicago Architecture Center?

It's a museum and tour hub near Millennium Park that focuses on Chicago's architectural history, with exhibits tracing the city's buildings from the 19th century to the present day.

What is the American Writers Museum?

It's a compact, interactive museum on Michigan Avenue dedicated to American literary history, tracing five centuries of writers through touchscreens, timelines and immersive displays.

Are Chicago museums wheelchair accessible?

The major museums are wheelchair accessible, but it's worth checking specific details for each venue before your visit.

Can I visit multiple museums in one day?

Yes, particularly if you're on the Museum Campus, where the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium are within easy walking distance of each other.