Chicago's diverse assortment of museums are a treasured part of the metropolis'southward cultural scene.  Explore the museums open now and reopening soon in Chicago, and see our guide to what's open up in Chicago for more. And don't forget to check out the exciting museum exhibits coming to Chicago this year.

Field Museum

Sue at Field Museum
Photograph by Lucy Hewett

At present open
One of Chicago'southward most love institutions, the Field Museum showcases everything from ancient cultures to the latest scientific discoveries. Visitors tin can meet the largest dinosaur to ever walk the world, mummies in their tombs, giant-sized bugs, the almost complete T.male monarch always found, and more.

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

Now open
The Shedd'south penguins accept been decorated exploring Chicago's iconic institutions, merely now they're back home at this lakeside aquarium. Visit them in their natural habitat, along with body of water otters, turtles, beluga whales, ocean lions, jelly fish, reptiles, and more.

Art Plant of Chicago

Now open
The Art Plant of Chicago, one of the most respected art museums in the world, will be reopening their doors to the public at the end of the month. Many of the museum'due south master galleries will exist open, forth with their newly extended special exhibits on the works of Monet and Bisa Butler.

Illinois Holocaust Museum & Educational activity Eye

Resistance Gallery at the Illinois Holocaust Museum
Photograph by Kathleen Hinkel

Now open up
The Illinois Holocaust Museum is now open in nearby Skokie. Their current special exhibition, M andela: Struggle for Freedom, covers the life of the civil rights icon through immersive experiences, including a replica of the prison cell where Mandela spent xviii years in jail.

International Museum of Surgical Science

International Museum of Surgical Science
Photo by Ryan Robinson_Michael Robinson

Now open
The International Museum of Surgical Science is the country's but museum dedicated to the history of surgery. The stunning Gold Coast space includes more than 10,000 square feet of public galleries that display a fascinating collection of art and artifacts related to medicine, from ancient past to modern day.

Chicago History Museum

Clayton Hauck for Choose Chicago

Now open
The Chicago History Museum is open and sharing fascinating stories of Chicago through a multifariousness of unique exhibits. Don't miss their newest showroom, Millions of Moments: The Chicago Sun-Times Photo Collection, which includes famous and never-published photos of awe-inspiring events and everyday occurrences in Chicago

Frederick C. Robie House

Now open up
Take a t our of the house Frank Lloyd Wright called "a cornerstone of modern architecture". Frederick C. Robie Firm , located in Hyde Park, is perhaps the well-nigh famous example of Wright'south Prairie-Fashion architecture. Choose from docent-guided tours, self-guided audio tours, or in-depth private tours.

Museum of Science and Manufacture

MSI Storm exhibit
J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago

At present open
The Museum of Science and Industry is a hands-on wonderland for all ages. Explore new and reinvented exhibits that volition thrill the whole family unit, including their blockbuster special exhibition Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes.

Museum of Illusions Chicago

Museum of Illusions

Now open
This new museum celebrates the globe of illusions, with more than 80 visual exhibits that challenge the way you see the world. The all-ages exhibitions feature holograms, optical illusions, and immersive rooms that are designed to fob the senses and educate almost the truth behind the illusions.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago
Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago

At present open
In The Magnificent Mile area, Museum of Gimmicky Art presents provocative and thought-provoking exhibits by local and global artists. With an emphasis on contemporary works, the museum presents a variety of compelling exhibitions, performances, collections, and educational programs throughout the twelvemonth. Their popular Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago exhibit has been extended into September.

Hyde Park Art Center

Jonathan Castillo, Will, Ni Yi Xuan Gift Shop, Chicago(Chinatown), 2019, Archival pigment print, 23 x 34.5 inches. Courtesy of the Artist..jpg

Now open
The Hyde Park Art Center is a community hub for contemporary works, that typically offers dozens of exhibits and hundreds of classes each year. Catch the final days of Ground Floor, the current iteration of their biennial program showcasing select work past recent graduates from each of Chicago' southward five MFA programs.

Museum of Contemporary Photography

At present open up
Museum of Contemporary Photography is a leading higher museum dedicated to international photography, with a mission to foster a deeper understanding of photos as an art grade. The drove, which is always free for the public to explore, includes more than 16,000 objects by over 1,500 artists.

Pritzker Armed services Museum & Library

At present open up
Located only across from Millennium Park, the
Pritzker Military Museum & Library is dedicated to educating the public about armed forces history. The unique museum hosts a permanent exhibition on the Medal of Honor and is currently showing a special exhibit nigh Allied forces during World War II.

Intuit: The Eye for Intuitive and Outsider Fine art

Intuit Chicago exhibit
Intuit Chicago Calling: Fine art Against the Menstruum

Now open
This unique museum, defended to work past cocky-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced impact points, and enhanced sanitation. They've even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Bang-up to increase spacing and allow more than distancing.

Driehaus Museum

Eternal Light at Driehaus Museum
Photography by Michael Tropea at the Driehaus Museum, 2019

Now open
Chicago'south Driehaus Museum celebrates the art and architecture of the tardily 19th century through present day. Housed within the stunning Nickerson Mansion just off The Magnificent Mile, the ornate interior is but as fascinating as the exhibits. All galleries are open to view besides equally the special exhibition, PAN: Prints of Avant Garde Europe, 1895-1900.

Chicago Architecture Center museum

Photo credit: James Steinkamp

At present open up
The riverfront
Chicago Architecture Centre is home to an array of fascinating exhibits about the city's most legendary buildings. Explore the Skyscraper Gallery, bank check out an interactive model of the city featuring iv,000 structures, and take a expect into the future of urban life.

Wrightwood 659

Wrightwood 659
Wrightwood 659

Now open
This cutting-edge space volition exist reopening presently with a brand new showroom. Wrightwood 659 presents Yannis Tsarouchis: Dancing in Real Life, the first U.South. exhibition devoted to the work of 1 of the greatest Greek painters of the 20th century. Plus, the museum itself is a piece of work of fine art and worth a visit simply to admire the architectural beauty.

American Writers Museum

Now open up
The American WritersMuseum, the first institution of its kind,
celebrates American writers and their works. The museum's interactive exhibits strive to honor the total breadth of American writing from the past to the present. Their latest exhibit focuses on the impact of immigrant and refugee writers.

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

Now open up
Learn more almost the Chicago River and its famous movable bridges at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. The 5-story museums allows visitors to explore a historic bridgehouse, watch the massive gears of a moving span, have in stunning h2o views, and learn about the history of the Chicago River. Exist some of the first to see a make new showroom refresh throughout the museum.

More Chicago museums open up now:

  • Glessner House is at present open
  • Ukrainian Plant of Modern Art is now open
  • Oriental Institute is at present open up
  • wndr museum is now open
  • Smart Museum of Art is now open
  • DuSable Museum of African American History is at present open
  • National Museum of Mexican Art is at present open
  • Adler Planetarium is now partially re-opened
  • National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is at present open