Billed as the city’s oldest cultural institution, the Chicago History Museum has a collection of over 23 million objects and documents. Housed in a beautiful, federal-style building that dates to 1932, the museum is the perfect place to learn more about the Windy City’s wealth of history. In addition to its expansive permanent collection, the museum hosts a range of temporary exhibitions, which focus on topics ranging from food and design to music and architecture. The Chicago History Museum’s busy events calendar also includes tours, talks, themed happy hours, and more.
The Chicago History Museum can be seen during Lincoln Park neighborhood tours. It can also be visited as part of the Chicago Explorer Pass scheme, or discovered independently.
To reach the Chicago History Museum via public transportation, take the Brown Line to Sedgwick station or the Red Line to Clark/Division station, both of which are roughly a 10-minute walk away. Alternatively, the museum is served by the 22, 36, 72, 73, 151, and 156 bus lines, and can be reached on foot, by car, and by bike.
The Chicago History Museum is open from morning to mid-afternoon on Monday and Wednesday–Saturday, but opens until late in the evening on Tuesday, with a shorter day on Sunday. The café opens during the day only and closes earlier than the museum.
Conveniently, the Chicago History Museum is just a quick walk from other Lincoln Park highlights. Combine your visit with a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo, venture to North Avenue Beach, or drop by the Ulysses S. Grant Monument.
