From popular Rembrandt masterpieces to recent works by lesser-known artists, the Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest art collections in the world. Spanning centuries of human creativity, exhibits include a distinguished collection of prints and drawings, an internationally acclaimed collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, sculptures, photographs, Asian, African, and American arts, architectural drawings, textiles, and more. Many pieces are on loan from the famed Terra Foundation for American Art. Educational programs and guided museum tours are available. Artbooks, reproductions, postcards, and other items are available in the museum shop.

Travel from ancient civilizations through modern times to view the remnants of bygone cultures and traditions at The Field Museum. Get the inside story on Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaur skeleton, or view preserved man-eating lions and other animals. For a truly subterranean experience, check out the Underground Adventure, an exhibit dedicated to soil and how it sustains life, or just relax at one of several places to eat. Admission to the museum is free for members, teachers, and military personnel. Moreover, Chicago residents receive a discount.

It’s the age of modern art, and if you love and appreciate contemporary collections of art, then you cannot afford to miss the Museum of Contemporary Art while in downtown Chicago. This museum, which may seem small but boasts stylish architecture and cutting-edge interior design, will astound you with its incredible collection. This innovative gallery next to Lake Michigan features avant-garde works produced by well-known worldwide painters, sculptors, and video artists between 1945 and the present. Works by Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Franz Kline, and other artists are included in the permanent collection. The museum's cutting-edge 296-seat theater hosts performances, talks, seminars, and lessons. There are guided tours available, and you may check for free visit days here on their website before scheduling a tour.

The Chicago History Museum, which is situated in Lincoln Park, originally housed some amazing relics, including Abraham Lincoln's final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire. The museum still has an extraordinary collection that chronicles the history of the Windy City today. Find out more about Chicago's colorful past in the museum's permanent collection, Chicago: Crossroads of America, which includes information on the city's diverse neighborhoods, entertainment, and business. The museum is guaranteed to inform and amuse everyone with its varied collection of historical relics, which includes the first elevated railway car in the city and Lincoln's deathbed.

At the National Museum of Mexican Art, explore the vibrant and varied aspects of Mexican heritage through a range of exhibitions. Pre-Cuauhtémoc antiquities, modern painting and sculpture, photography, prints and drawings, and popular art are the main themes of the permanent collection. Incredible compositions by renowned and up-and-coming musicians, writers, and artists highlight Latin America and its strong sense of community. The museum's yearly "Day of the Dead" show, which takes place in October, is well-known and brings a sizable throng to the city.

Connect with science and nature through innovative exhibits exploring the bio-diversity of the world around us at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. One of the most popular exhibits is the large glass Butterfly Haven, which visitors can wander through. In addition to providing thousands of children with an accessible scientific education, this cornerstone center of the Chicago Academy of Sciences supports environmental research and conservation programs. Challenge yourself to do your part in protecting the natural environment.

Without leaving Chicago, you can see far-off and ancient civilizations thanks to the Oriental Institute Museum. The Institute Museum, a part of the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, houses top-notch anthropological and archaeological displays regarding the first human civilizations that emerged in the East. Visitors can reflect on man's accomplishments as they examine rare artifacts from historic nations including Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Iran, and Palestine. Afterwards, browse the "Suq" (Arabic for "market") for Eastern finds and unusual gifts. Guided group tours and workshops are available to ease the trip for you.

The Museum of Science and Industry makes science fun with interactive, educational exhibits that stretch the imagination. Spend time in a 13-foot (4.0-meter) heart as you learn about how yours works. Find out how technology has influenced history by stepping back in time on "Yesterday's Main Street." Marvel at the life-size replica of the German submarine U-505 and also the command module of Apollo 8. Watch action-packed films in the museum's giant-screen Omnimax Theatre or take a ride down a coal mine. And don't leave without picking up some great souvenirs at The Big Idea museum shop.

Visit the home of the famous architect and his family during the formative years of his career. Tours of Frank Lloyd Wright's design masterpiece show off the soaring great room, private gardens and more where the beginnings of his Prairie style came to life. Visitors can also wander through the studio where he produced his landmark designs that challenged conventional architectural ideas. Special events and programs take place year round, be sure the visit the website for more details.