10 Best Museums and Galleries in Chicago
Where to Discover Chicago History, Art and Culture?
Chicago’s best museums and galleries celebrate the city’s rich history, diverse communities, and forward-thinking spirit. Chicago is an incredible destination for art lovers whether you’re looking to explore fascinating history or see impressive works of historical and contemporary art.
The local history museums cover a variety of topics, with some focusing on the Chicago area and others featuring remnants from ancient cultures of the Far East. The art museums and galleries are filled with all sorts of works on various mediums and are sometimes organised by time period and sometimes categorised by culture.
1. Chicago History Museum
Fascinating stories about the Windy City’s history
Ideal para: História, Casais, Famílias
The Chicago History Museum contains numerous collections highlighting the history of both the city and America as a whole with fascinating permanent and temporary exhibitions. The Crossroads of America exhibit focuses on Chicago’s growth, while the Facing Freedom display offers insight into fights against oppression.
The temporary exhibitions throughout the years have been fascinating, featuring such displays as a collection of Chicago art along with the history of LGBTQ people in Chicago. You’ll find it all in the southwestern corner of Lincoln Park.
Localização: 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Abre: Tuesday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefone: +1 312-642-4600
Chicago History Museum
2. Museum of Contemporary Photography
Celebrating some of photography’s best
Ideal para: História, Foto
The Museum of Contemporary Photography is home to a permanent collection of incredible photography pieces by more than 1,500 artists and includes works from the Midwest Photographers Project. All in all, the collection contains more than 15,000 pieces, including photos and photographic objects like digital pieces and gelatin-silver prints.
In their collection, you’ll find photos captured by some of the best artists in the medium. These include legends like Ansel Adams, Harry Callaham, Julia Margaret Cameron and Dorothea Lange. See it all for yourself just a few steps west from Buckingham Fountain.
Localização: 600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Abre: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm
Telefone: +1 312-663-5554
Museum of Contemporary Photography
3. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Calling all modern art fans
Ideal para: História, Casais, Viagens alternativas
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is a comprehensive art museum that presents its exhibitions gallery-style using a mix of its own collection and loaned pieces. Amongst the collection, you’ll find a wide variety of works created after World War II, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and Kara Walker.
Numerous art styles are on display here, allowing you to see late surrealism and minimalism alongside postmodernism. The art takes on many forms, from paintings and sculptures to more uncommon mediums like installations and videos. Make your way to this intriguing museum just west of Lake Shore Park and explore its vast collections.
Localização: 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Abre: Tuesday from 10 am to 9 pm, Wednesday–Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefone: +1 312-280-2660
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
4. DuSable Museum of African American History
Thousands of artifacts and a world of stories
Ideal para: História, Casais, Famílias
The DuSable Museum of African American History is home to a comprehensive collection of history, art, and culture from African-Americans and holds 13,000 unique artefacts. You’ll find several books, photos and memorabilia alongside stunning works of art dating back to the US slavery era.
This museum also features a 466-seat auditorium that frequently hosts events like poetry readings, film screenings and music performances primarily focusing on jazz and blues. The DuSable Museum of African American History is located on the east side of Washington Park next to Stagg Field. Hop on a train or bus and exit at Cottage Grove station or bus stop.
Localização: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Abre: Wednesday–Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Telefone: +1 773-947-0600
DuSable Museum of African American History
5. Oriental Institute Museum
Ancient worlds at your fingertips
Ideal para: História, Viagens alternativas
The Oriental Institute Museum is home to numerous archaeological artefacts collected from digs in Asia and Africa, with some dating back well into the Bronze Age. Amongst the collection, you’ll find remnants from Egypt, Israel, Syria, Türkiye, Iran and Iraq, including several pieces from Persepolis, the old capital of the Achaemenid Empire.
This museum is one of the top contributors to Near Eastern studies specifically focusing on the origins of human civilisation. You won’t find a better source for fascinating history anywhere else in the city. Explore it for yourself by the University of Chicago, just north of Midway Plaisance Park.
Localização: 1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Abre: Tuesday–Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm, Friday from from 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefone: +1 773-702-9514
Oriental Institute Museum
6. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Your gateway to nature’s wonders in the heart of the city
Ideal para: História, Famílias, Foto
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum houses a wide array of exhibits focusing on the natural history of the Chicago region, including living botanic recreations. Local plants can be found all around the building, but the most popular feature is the Butterfly Haven, which houses more than 200 species.
Other attractions at this museum include the Water Lab and the Wilderness Walk, which showcase the natural world in the region based around streams and natural woods. You’ll find the thrilling Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park, in between North Pond and Diversey Harbor. Check out the museum store for unique gifts, apparel and books.
Localização: 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Abre: Daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Telefone: +1 773-755-5100
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
7. Smart Museum of Art
A free art museum with a vast collection of modern and international art
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico
The Smart Museum of Art is a massive gallery containing a variety of modern and international works, and it’s free for the public to visit. Within the collection, you’ll find more than 15,000 pieces in total, and a fair amount of that collection is on display at any given time.
Amongst the works at this museum, you’ll find 4 primary categories: modern art, contemporary art, Asian art and European art. Some famous artists are represented in the collection, including Cecco Bravo, John Chamberlain, Andy Warhol and Joan Mitchell. You’ll find the Smart Museum of Art on the northern end of the University of Chicago campus next to Stagg Field. Leia mais
Localização: 5550 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Abre: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefone: +1 773-702-0200
Smart Museum of Art
8. National Museum of Mexican Art
The nation’s largest Latino cultural institution
Ideal para: História, Econômico
The National Museum of Mexican Art showcases a variety of Mexican, Latino, and Chicano art and culture in an effort to present Latino culture without borders. You’ll find numerous permanent and rotating temporary exhibits which explore Mexican history in detail. The museum also hosts cultural programmes, from theatre and dance to music, authors and performance companies to share the rich diversity of the Mexican culture.
If you visit during October, you can see the Dia de los Muertos exhibit that shows off this popular cultural celebration along with themed artworks by Chicago-area and international artists. Make your way to this thrilling, free museum on the southern edge of Harrison Park and discover it all for yourself. Leia mais
Localização: 1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
Abre: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefone: +1 312-738-1503
National Museum of Mexican Art
9. Chicago Architecture Centre
Your guide to the city’s architectural wonders
Ideal para: História, Viagens alternativas, Foto
The Chicago Architecture Center offers valuable insight into architectural accomplishments with a scale model of Chicago and city tours of some of the most prominent designs. The scale model of Chicago depicts the central area of the city, and it was 3D printed for permanent display.
When you’re looking to take a tour of the top designs in the city, you’ll find yourself with 85 different tour options. Many of the tours will take you to see iconic structures like the Chicago Board of Trade and the Monadnock Building. Check out the popular architecture river cruise where you’ll hear fascinating stories behind more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River.
Localização: 111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Abre: Sunday–Thursday from 9 am to 5 pm, Friday–Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm
Telefone: +1 312-922-8687
Chicago Architecture Centre
10. Driehaus Museum
An homage to the glory of the Gilded Age
Ideal para: História, Foto
The Driehaus Museum is a historic house that has been outfitted with collections from the art nouveau era and décor that makes you feel like you’re in the Gilded Age. Inside, you’ll find high-end marble, carved wood, stained glass, and onyx materials that evoke an undeniable opulence.
Much of the interior work was done by Louis Comfort Tiffany, and it’s one of the largest collections of his work anywhere. You’ll even find Favrile glassworks here. The Driehaus Museum is located on the Magnificent Mile, just south of the St. James Cathedral. If you’re travelling on a budget, note that Wednesday evenings admission to the Museum is free.
Localização: 40 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Abre: Wednesday from 11 am to 7 pm, Thursday–Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Telefone: +1 312-482-8933
Driehaus Museum
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