When visiting our favorite local museums, families have so much to explore in science, history, arts and culture. There are also some great exhibitions that make the trip worthwhile.
With plenty of local museums for kids of all ages, there is something for everyone. You might be lucky enough to see one of these exhibits during a free museum day to help save some money! Check out these new exhibits in Chicago and the suburbs.
Note: We’re updating our website as quickly as we can, but changes may occur due to COVID-19. Please double check before heading out for the most updated information on safety precautions, vaccine requirements and any last-minute cancellations.
Resilience by HRH Prince Nikolaos
Sept. 16-Dec. 30, 2022 (Thursdays-Sundays)
- Address: National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: $10/adult, $8/senior and student, $7/child, free/under 3 and member
See a collection of photographs exploring Greece’s relationship with nature and the importance of environmental preservation at this exhibit.
Gather Together: The Street Photography of Diane Alexander White
Oct. 6, 2022-April 30, 2023 (Thursdays-Sundays)
- Address: National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St., Chicago
- Cost: $10/adult, $8/senior and student, $7/child, free/under 3 and member
In this exhibition, the Chicago-based Greek American photographer, Diane Alexander White presents 80 historic works showcasing Chicago’s Greek American celebrations, alongside other ethnic and cultural festivals and parades.
Día de Muertos, Memories & Offerings
Oct. 14-Nov. 20, 2022
- Address: National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Head to the main gallery to see the museum’s 36th Day of the Dead exhibition to remember the individuals who died from COVID and other tragedies in the last year.
Immersive King Tut
Oct. 14-Nov. 20, 2022
- Address: Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago
- Cost: $30-plus
Immersive King Tut uses stunning visuals to tell the story of the Amduat that was depicted on the tombs of pharaohs.
In Pursuit of Happiness: Immigrants in Our Communities
Oct. 28, 2022-May 14, 2023
- Address: Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Included in museum admission
Learn about the diverse stories and experiences of area immigrants and their descendants as told through first-person accounts, photographs, treasured objects and more.
Day of the Dead Xicágo
Oct. 29, 2022
- Address: National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the remembrance of your loved ones at the Museum and surrounding area this year. On this special day, guests can enjoy ofrendas created by community members, live musical performances, art activities and a large illuminated ofrenda projected outside of the museum.
Alebrijes: Creatures of a Dream World
Through Oct. 30, 2022
- Address: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
- Cost: Admission is included with $5 parking fee ($10 on summer weekends)
Visitors of this exhibit can see a five-month outdoor art exhibit featuring dozens of mythical animals inspired by Mexican folklore. The installation will feature nearly 50 “alebrijes” of all sizes created by artists from Mexico City.
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Nov. 16, 2022-Jan. 4, 2023
- Address: Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Free w/museum admission; $21.95/ages 12-plus, $12.95/ages 3-11, free/2 and under
The museum features a four-story, floor to dome Grand Tree surrounded by more than 50 other trees and displays. Each surrounding tree is decorated to represent holiday traditions in other cultures around the world.
The Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle
Nov. 19-Dec. 31, 2022
- Address: Lighthouse ArtSpace Chicago, 108 W. Germania Place, Chicago
- Cost: $30-plus
Enjoy this immersive event about the most beloved family holiday tale, The Nutcracker. You’ll see immersive projections and special effects, meet a life-sized Nutcracker, have photo ops and more.
Kohlights: A Mesmertastic Holiday Lightacular!
Dec. 17-29, 2022
- Address: Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
- Cost: $20/non-members, $15/members, free/under 12 months
Kids can take control over the light display at different activity stations along the way at this holiday event.
Wild Color
Through Jan. 8, 2023
- Address: The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Included in Discovery of All-Access Pass
Rooms at the Field Museum will be dedicated to different colors of the light spectrum and visitors can see how color is displayed in the natural world like gems, minerals and even animals.
Sentrock: The Boy Who Wanted to Fly
Through Jan. 15, 2023
- Address: Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: $15/adults, $12/seniors 65-plus, free/ages 18 and under and students with school ID
The Elmhurst Art Museum presents the first solo museum show of Pilsen-based street artist Sentrock, who uplifts and empowers youth through his murals and educational projects.
The Art of the Brick
Through Jan. 16, 2023
- Address: Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $14 adults, $11 children
Lego fans can explore the world’s largest and most elaborate display of Lego art. More than 100 works include re-imagined Lego version of iconic masterpieces like Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Vivian Maier: In Color
Through May 8, 2023
- Address: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free w/ admission
A multimedia exhibit featuring 65 color images made during Vivian Maier’s time as a suburban Chicago nanny from the 1950s to 1970s.
Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories
Through May 20, 2023
- Address: Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Included in basic admission
Field Museum’s Native North American Hall will be transformed into a new experience for visitors. Learn stories told by Native people of self-determination, resilience, continuity and the future.
Millions of Moments: The Chicago Sun-Times Photo Collection
Through Dec. 31, 2023
- Address: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free w/ admission
Featuring 150 images from the Chicago History Museum’s Chicago Sun-Times collection, Millions of Moments is a first look at highlights from five million negatives spanning the 1940s to the early 2000s—one of the largest newspaper photograph collections ever acquired by an American museum.
This post is updated regularly.
