Chicago’s museum scene is bustling with extraordinary exhibitions, each offering a unique way to explore history, art, and culture. Whether you’re looking to engage with nature’s resilience, immerse yourself in the world of Spider-Man, learn about the planet’s evolution after the dinosaurs, or experience a powerful art exhibition by Theaster Gates, there’s something for everyone. These exhibits promise fun, education, and inspiration for visitors of all ages.
Read more: Chicagoland Museums Families Should Visit At Least Once
New Chicagoland exhibits to check out with kids
By A Thread: Nature’s Resilience at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Now-June 30, 2026
- Address: 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $15-$17/ages 13+, $8-$10/ages 1-12, free/under 1
This exhibit allows visitors to uncover the challenges of biodiversity loss and help them to discover how they can be part of the solution.
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Now-Feb. 8, 2026
- Address: 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: Not included in general admission. This exhibit requires an additional ticket with a specific time slot. $18-$22 adults, $14 kids ages 3-11, free for kids ages 2 and under.
This immersive exhibit is great for ages 4 and up. See rare comic books, view props and costumes, explore cutting-edge interactive installations and take photos with life-size statues.
After the Age of the Dinosaurs at the Field Museum
Aug. 29, 2025-Jan. 7, 2027
- Address: 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: All Access Pass ($43/adult or $34 for Chicago residents)
This immersive, cross-disciplinary experience explores what happened after the dinosaurs went extinct, when life on Earth dramatically changed, diversified and evolved in surprising ways. This exhibition focuses on the Paleocene and early Eocene epochs and features fossils, striking scientific artwork, immersive media and sensory-rich displays.
Theaster Gate: Unto Thee at Smart Museum of Art
Sept. 23, 2025-5-Feb. 22, 2026
- Address: 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free admission
Check out Theaster Gates’s first solo museum exhibition in his hometown of Chicago. A self-designated “keeper of objects,” the artist investigates the value of things and their potential to hold layered meanings.
This article was recently updated on Aug. 5, 2025, by Chicago Parent’s Content Writer, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her featuring new museum exhibits to check out this fall. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
