Chicago's Best: Top 5 Museums & Art Centers

Chicago, the heart of the American Midwest and the city of architecture, boasts a cultural richness as profound as its glittering skyline. WAUG carefully selects and introduces five essential cultural venues in Chicago where just a few visits can maximize your travel satisfaction with world-class collections.


1. Art Institute of Chicago

This museum is the cultural landmark representing Chicago and proudly stands alongside the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York as one of the top three art museums in the United States. Its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, featuring masters like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, is boasted to be world-class. Located next to Grant Park, accessibility is excellent, and you can fill your day with artistic inspiration by exploring its vast collection spanning American art, East Asian art, and many other periods.


2. Field Museum of Natural History

Located on Chicago's Museum Campus, the Field Museum of Natural History boasts a preeminent position in the fields of natural history and anthropology. The museum’s greatest pride is 'Sue,' the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever discovered in the world. From dinosaurs dating back millions of years to ancient Egyptian artifacts and anthropological exhibits from various cultures, you can embark on an exciting journey through the history of humanity and Earth. It is particularly popular with families traveling with children.


3. Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (MCA)

As one of the largest contemporary art museums in the United States, the MCA exhibits avant-garde and innovative contemporary artworks. It focuses on art created after the 1940s, showcasing experimental pieces such as installation art, performance art, and media art, which it proudly presents as leading the artistic frontier. This is a must-visit space for contemporary art lovers seeking to experience the cutting edge of art and find deep thought-provoking material.


4. Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) Exhibition

Chicago is the birthplace of modern architecture and a living architectural museum. The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is the best place to showcase the city’s dynamic architectural history. The massive scale model of downtown Chicago is particularly stunning, and it helps visitors vividly understand how the city's architecture has developed. After gaining knowledge here, joining the architectural boat tours operated by the CAC is boasted to be the perfect way to fully appreciate the charm of Chicago.


5. Museum of Science and Industry (MSI)

Located in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago, this museum occupies the historic building of the former World's Columbian Exposition. The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is filled with exhibits that are interactive and hands-on, going beyond simple viewing. From the full-sized German U-505 submarine and the historical coal mine experience to space exploration simulations, it offers tremendous enjoyment to both adults and children through its educational and fascinating exhibits. This institution proudly stands as one of the oldest and largest museums in Chicago.