BEST MUSEUMS in IL
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Founded in 1879 shortly after the Great Fire of 1871, The Art Institute of Chicago is a prestigious museum and art school. The museum’s permanent collection has grown from plaster casts to nearly 300,000 works of art in fields ranging from Chinese bronzes to contemporary design and from textiles to installation art. The Art Institute is internationally recognized as one of the leading fine arts institutions in the United States.
Field Museum
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
The Field Museum, founded in 1893 to house collections from the World's Columbian Exposition, is one of the world's largest natural history museums, with nearly 40 million specimens. Its exhibits cover diverse topics like dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, and Native American cultures. Notable exhibits include Sue, the largest T. rex skeleton, and a three-story mastaba, a type of Egyptian tomb.
The Driehaus Museum
40 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611
The Driehaus Museum is housed in the historic Nickerson Mansion, near the Magnificent Mile. The mansion itself has been saved twice - first by a collective of over 100 Chicago citizens in 1919 and then by philanthropist Richard H. Driehaus who sponsored its restoration in 2003 and founded the museum. The Driehaus showcases the art, architecture, and design of the late 19th century, focusing on the Gilded Age. Art Nouveau furniture and decorative arts surround the artworks from the private collection of Richard Driehaus.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
212 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield is dedicated to preserving Abraham Lincoln's legacy. This three-building complex includes a museum, library, and theater. The museum tells Lincoln’s story through state-of-the-art full-immersion exhibits, special effects theaters, and displays of original artifacts. The library houses millions of documents, photographs, and artifacts, where experts track down new Lincoln material, repair and preserve old material, and share their knowledge. Together, they offer valuable insights into American history, the presidency, and the human costs of slavery and war.
Riverfront Museum Park, Rockford
Ste 3, 711 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103
Opened in 1991 as part of the Rockford Park District's outreach program, the Riverfront Museum Park is a unique arts and humanities complex that houses the Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Dance Company, and Rockford Symphony Orchestra offices. The park is connected to the Burpee Museum of Natural History by a walkway tunnel and also has a sculpture garden, riverwalk, and children's playground. The “Under one Roof” concept naturally generates collaborative programming, making it a hub for cultural activities and encouraging the revitalization of Rockford's downtown area.
Superman Museum
517 Market Street, Metropolis, Illinois
The Superman Museum is a family-owned and operated museum located in Metropolis - the official hometown of Superman. The museum was opened in 1993 and features items from the life’s work of longtime Superman enthusiast and collector, Jim Hambrick. The museum is organized around particular eras and portrayals of Superman, spanning television, movies, and comics. Exhibits are changed frequently, rotating through Hambrick's collection of over 70,000 items of Superman memorabilia.
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chicago was founded in 1967 to focus on contemporary art. It has a collection of over 3,000 works of art and presents a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. The MCA is also a leader in arts education and programming, and it has a strong commitment to community engagement.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
The Chicago Cultural Center was built in 1897 as the city's first central public library. In 1991, it was transformed into a cultural center, offering a variety of free programs and events throughout the year. The Chicago Cultural Center is a place where creativity and learning converge. Its studios offer artists a nurturing space to create and collaborate, while workshops and classes foster creativity and personal growth in the community at large.
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum
339 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302
The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the life and works of the legendary Ernest Hemingway. The house was restored to its original condition and opened to the public in 1996. The museum, just steps away from the original home, houses an impressive collection of Hemingway artifacts, manuscripts, and personal memorabilia. Visitors can engage with the writer's personal anecdotes, read letters penned in his distinctive style, and discover the inspiration behind some of his greatest works.
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
The National Museum of Mexican Art (NMMA) in Chicago was founded in 1982 to celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Mexican and Mexican-American people. The NMMA's collection includes over 15,000 works of art, and it presents a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. The NMMA is also a leader in arts education and programming, and it has a strong commitment to community engagement.
Krannert Art Museum
500 E Peabody Dr, Champaign, IL 61820
The Krannert Art Museum (KAM) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1961. It has a collection of over 48,000 works of art from around the world and from all periods of history. The KAM is a valuable resource for students and faculty at the University of Illinois and the surrounding community with a variety of educational programs and events throughout the year.
