The 5 best museums in Chicago are the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. Together they cover art, dinosaurs, science, marine life and space. Three of them sit side by side on the lakefront Museum Campus, which makes planning much easier.

You will not see all five in one trip unless you stay several days. This guide helps you pick, because the right choice depends on your age group, your budget and how much walking you can handle. Prices and hours below are approximate and change often, so check each museum’s site before you go.

The 5 Best Museums in Chicago at a Glance

Museum	Best for	Adult ticket (approx.)	Plan on
Art Institute of Chicago	Art lovers, first-time visitors	About $32	3 to 4 hours
Field Museum	Dinosaurs, natural history, families	About $27 to $30	3 to 5 hours
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry	Hands-on science, kids, teens	About $26	Half a day
Shedd Aquarium	Young children, animal fans	About $40	2 to 3 hours
Adler Planetarium	Space fans, skyline photos	From about $25	2 to 3 hours

Note that the Museum of Science and Industry, often shortened to MSI, now goes by the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. It took the new name in May 2024. Older guides still use the MSI name.

1. Art Institute of Chicago

Is it worth visiting? Yes. If you only choose one Chicago museum, make it this one. It sits in Grant Park at 111 S. Michigan Avenue and holds nearly 300,000 works across 5,000 years.

Visitors come for famous paintings such as American Gothic and Nighthawks, plus a large Impressionist collection. The Modern Wing, the Thorne Miniature Rooms and the Frank Lloyd Wright gallery add variety.

• Cost: Adult admission is about $32. Children under 14 and Chicago teens under 18 enter free. Illinois residents get free evening hours on select dates, including third Thursdays from 5 to 8 pm.
• Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Thursday runs until 8 pm.
• Practical tip: Thursday evening is usually calmer than a weekend afternoon. Plan three hours for the highlights. Seeing everything takes several visits.

Check the museum’s official FAQ page for current free hours and ticket rules.

2. Field Museum

Is it good for kids? Yes. The Field Museum is Chicago’s natural history museum, and SUE the T. rex is the headline attraction. It holds more than 24 million specimens and artifacts, from gemstones to Egyptian exhibits.

• Cost: Basic admission usually falls between $27 and $30 for adults, depending on the source and date. Discovery and All-Access passes add special exhibitions and 3D films.
• Hours: Generally 9 am to 5 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. Special exhibits may have earlier cutoffs.
• Free days: Illinois residents can enter free on Wednesdays through 30 December 2026. See the museum’s Illinois Free Wednesdays page for details.
• Practical tip: Basic admission covers the main halls, including Evolving Planet and Inside Ancient Egypt. Buy an upgrade only if a specific special exhibit interests you.

3. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Why go? It is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere. It sits in Hyde Park, away from downtown, in the last surviving building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.

Visitors remember the captured German U-505 submarine, the coal mine and the Apollo 8 command module. Kids can touch and test many exhibits.

• Cost: Adult general admission is about $25.95, and children ages 3 to 11 pay about $14.95. The U-505 tour and similar experiences cost roughly $17 to $18 extra.
• Hours: Generally 9:30 am to 4 pm. The museum extends hours on select dates in November, so confirm before you go.
• Getting there: Take the Metra Electric line to 55th–56th–57th Street, or CTA bus 6 along the lakefront.
• Practical tip: This museum is a trip in itself. Do not squeeze it between Museum Campus stops.

4. Shedd Aquarium

Is an aquarium a museum? It counts in most Chicago museum lists, and it earns its place. Shedd holds thousands of animals and anchors the Museum Campus next to the Field Museum and the Adler.

• Cost: General admission is about $39.95 for adults and $29.95 for children ages 3 to 11. Prices use plan-ahead pricing, so booking early for a quiet slot can cost less.
• Best for: Families with young children. Adults without kids can skip it without missing a core Chicago experience.
• Practical tip: Buy tickets from Shedd directly. Resellers often add a markup without shortening your wait.

5. Adler Planetarium

Why visit? The Adler opened in 1930 and is the oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. It sits on a peninsula at the tip of the Museum Campus, so it also has one of the best skyline views in the city.

• Cost: General admission starts around $25 for adults. Sky shows cost extra.
• Hours: The Adler offers extended Wednesday evening hours. Check the current schedule before you plan.
• Practical tip: Go near sunset on a clear day for the skyline view, then see the galleries.

Which Museum Should You Choose?

• First visit, one day only: Art Institute.
• Traveling with kids under eight: Shedd, then the Field Museum.
• Teenagers who like science: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
• Dinosaurs: Field Museum.
• Space and skyline photos: Adler.
• Tight budget: Pick one paid museum and add a free one (see below).

Saving Money on Chicago Museums

Free days exist, but most apply to Illinois residents only. Visitors from elsewhere usually pay the standard fare. Even so, a few options help.

• Chicago CityPASS or Go City: Both bundle several attractions, including some of the five above. They pay off if you plan three or more big sights. If you want just one museum, buy a single ticket. We explain the same logic in our guide on which Paris pass is worth it.
• Free museums: The National Museum of Mexican Art is always free. The Museum of Contemporary Art charges a suggested fee that is far lower than the big five.
• Always-free groups: Children under 14 at the Art Institute, plus active military at several museums.

Planning Your Museum Days

The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium share the Museum Campus. Reach it by taking the Red, Orange or Green Line to Roosevelt, then walking about 15 minutes east. Seasonal buses 130 and 146 also run there. Pairing two campus museums in a day works well. Three in one day is too much for most travelers.

The Art Institute is downtown and easy to reach on foot from Millennium Park. The Griffin Museum needs its own half day.

Traveling beyond Chicago? Compare Detroit’s art, music and car-history attractions or our guide to the top travel destinations in New York.

FAQ,s

What is the best museum in Chicago?

The Art Institute of Chicago is the best all-around choice. The Field Museum is the best pick for families and dinosaur fans.

Which Chicago museums are free?

The National Museum of Mexican Art is always free. Major museums offer free days, but mostly for Illinois residents. Check each museum’s site for dates.

How many days do you need for Chicago museums?

Plan two to three days for the five museums above. One day works if you pick the Art Institute or one Museum Campus pair.

Which Chicago museums are closed on Tuesdays?

The Art Institute closes on Tuesdays. Other museums keep different schedules, so check before you set your plan.

Is the Chicago CityPASS worth it for museums?

It is worth it if you plan three or more included attractions. For one or two visits, single tickets cost less.

Conclusion

The 5 best museums in Chicago work for different travelers, so choose by interest instead of trying to see everything. The Art Institute suits first-timers. The Field Museum and Shedd suit families. The Griffin Museum rewards curious teens and kids, and the Adler adds space and a skyline view.

Book timed tickets early, verify hours and free days, and pair only two Museum Campus stops in a day. That pace keeps the trip enjoyable and your budget under control.