MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
The pick of the collection, reviewed.
A hand-picked shortlist of the 13 chicago museums travellers rate highest, with the prices, the run times and who you actually book each one through.
Chicago’s Medieval Torture Museum combo with audio guide and a ghost-hunting app. Dim-lit, hands-on, and darkly educational.
Most Popular“Super interesting facts brought to you in a wonderfully interactive way. Loved the visual displays with the interactive audio and signs.”
Skip the lines at Chicago’s Field Museum and see Sue and Maximo, plus other natural history hits, with optional early VIP access.
Advance tickets for Chicago’s Field Museum: see SUE, Egyptian mummies, gems, and dinosaurs with flexible hours and free docent tours.
“Even though sometimes it is annoying to have to pay extra for some installations, it is worth it here at the Field. The extra admission (I am sure) helps with the installation and creation of the "extras". We saw "After the Dinosaurs" and the detail, stories, timeline and everything made it a wonderful experience for…”
Museum of Ice Cream Chicago: timed entry, unlimited ice cream samples, putt-putt, speakeasy frozen shakes, and a sprinkle pool.
“It said we would have an hour and 45 minutes but it seems like we booked it for 6 PM and we were very rushed. Some of the staff was not friendly for the amount we paid. It was not worth it.”
Chicago lakefront and Museum Campus by Segway: 2-hour ride with helmet, training, and live guide stops at icons like Soldier Field.
“The segway tour is a great way to see the downtown and some areas and history you maybe wouldn't know about. Greg was a very knowledgeable guide.”
Step into Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream with 14 interactive stops, unlimited ice cream, a sprinkle pool, Sprink-L ride, and mini golf.
Timed entry to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry with hands-on labs, a 1.2M-volt Tesla coil, space exhibits, and optional add-ons.
Cruise Chicago’s top sights by Segway with a small group, helmeted training, and standout skyline views from Buckingham Fountain to the lakefront.
“Excellent tour. Kolton was fabulous. Very clear instructions, and he us very calm. I loved this tour. Saw a lot, and got a lot of breaks. Do It for sure.”
Glide Chicago’s lakefront and Museum Campus on a 2-hour Segway tour with fountain shows, skyline views, and guided stops for great photos.
Field Museum All-Access Pass in Chicago: choose entry time, see SUE, Egypt, gems and dinosaurs, plus free docent tours. 3D movie costs extra.
“Overall it was a nice visit. Basic museum quality. Not a lot of interactive stuff, mostly just viewing. Definitely one of the larger rock collections I've ever seen.”
Timed entry to the Museum of Illusions Chicago in the Loop—interactive rooms, big photo-ops, and a Smart Playroom for memory puzzles.
American Writers Museum Chicago with flexible entry: interactive timelines, vintage typewriters, and writing games for all ages at $16.
Self-led admission to Chicago’s MCA with a mobile ticket. Explore rotating contemporary shows at your pace for about 1–3 hours.
“So not interesting hardly anything to do there and I think I could’ve gotten in without paying. They didn’t even check my ticket.”
