List of museums in Illinois facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This list of museums in Illinois contains places that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest. They make their collections or related exhibits available for everyone to see and learn from. This includes non-profit groups and university art galleries. Museums that only exist online are not included here.

Awesome Museums in Illinois

Illinois is home to many fantastic museums. Let's explore some of the most exciting ones where you can learn and have fun!

Explore Science and Space!

If you love discovering how the world works, these museums are perfect for you.

Journey to the Stars at Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium in Chicago is a super cool place to learn about space, stars, and planets. You can explore the universe through amazing shows and exhibits. It's like taking a trip to outer space without leaving Earth!

Discover at the Museum of Science and Industry

Also in Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry is one of the biggest science museums in the world. You can walk through a real German submarine, explore a coal mine, or even see a giant tornado! There are tons of hands-on exhibits that make learning about science exciting.

Hands-On Fun at Discovery Centers

Many cities in Illinois have special museums just for kids! The Discovery Center Museum in Rockford and the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville offer interactive exhibits where you can play and learn about art, math, and science. The Orpheum Children's Science Museum in Champaign and the SciTech Hands On Museum in Aurora also provide great hands-on experiences.

Earth and Space at Cernan Center

The Cernan Earth and Space Center in River Grove has a public planetarium and exhibits about Earth and space. It's a great spot to learn about our planet and beyond.

Step Back in Time: History Museums

History museums help us understand the past, from ancient times to more recent events.

Lincoln's Legacy in Springfield

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield tells the story of the 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, and the American Civil War. You can see artifacts from his life and experience history through special effects. Also in Springfield, the Lincoln Home National Historic Site is the actual house where Lincoln lived before becoming president. You can tour his home and see what life was like in the 1800s.

Chicago's Past at Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum dives into the rich history and culture of Chicago. You can learn about famous events, people, and how the city grew.

Ancient Civilizations at Oriental Institute

The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago focuses on the history, art, and archaeology of the ancient Near East. It's like traveling back thousands of years to explore ancient Egypt and other early civilizations.

Native American Heritage

The Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island includes the John Hauberg Museum of Native American Life, which teaches about the history and culture of Native Americans in the area. Another important site is Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site near Collinsville, which was once a large ancient city built by Native Americans.

Historic Homes and Villages

Many museums are preserved historic homes, like the Dana–Thomas House in Springfield, designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in Oak Park is another must-see for architecture fans. For a full step back in time, visit places like Naper Settlement in Naperville or Midway Village Museum in Rockford, which are entire villages with historic buildings and people dressed in old-fashioned clothes!

Amazing Art and Culture Centers

Art museums showcase beautiful creations, while cultural centers celebrate different traditions.

World-Class Art at the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. It has an incredible collection of art from all over the world and from different time periods. You can see famous paintings, sculptures, and more.

Diverse Art at Krannert Art Museum

The Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has art from ancient Egypt to modern photography. It's a great place to see a wide range of artistic styles.

Celebrating Cultures

Illinois has many museums dedicated to different cultures. The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago shares the history and art of Lithuania. The National Museum of Mexican Art and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, both in Chicago, celebrate the vibrant arts and cultures of Mexico and Puerto Rico. The Swedish American Museum in Chicago explores Swedish heritage in America.

Outdoor Adventures and Living History

Some museums let you experience history and nature outdoors.

Farms and Mills

Garfield Farm and Inn Museum in St. Charles is an 1840s farm where you can see how people lived and worked long ago. Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook is a working grist mill with a waterwheel, showing how grain was ground into flour.

Forts and Settlements

Apple River Fort State Historic Site in Elizabeth is a recreated 1830s fort. Fort de Chartres in Prairie du Rocher is a reconstructed 18th-century French fort. These sites help you imagine life on the frontier.

Unique Collections You Won't Believe!

Some museums have really unusual and fascinating collections.

Cars, Trains, and Planes

If you love vehicles, check out the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, which has famous cars from movies and TV shows. The Illinois Railway Museum in Union is the largest railway museum in North America, with many historic trains you can even ride! For aviation fans, the Air Classics Museum of Aviation in Sugar Grove displays aircraft from different eras.

Cool and Quirky Finds

The American Toby Jug Museum in Evanston has a huge collection of Toby jugs, which are ceramic mugs shaped like people's heads. The Super Museum in Metropolis is dedicated to Superman, since Metropolis is his fictional hometown! You can see tons of Superman memorabilia there.

Medical History

The International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago explores the history of healing practices from ancient times to today. It's a unique look at how medicine has changed.

Defunct museums

Sometimes museums close down. Here are a few that are no longer open:

ABA Museum of Law, Chicago
African-American Heritage Museum and Black Veterans Archives, Aurora
American Police Center & Museum, Chicago
Americana Hollywood Museum, Metropolis
ArtWorks Children's Museum, Ingleside
Barb City Motorcycle Museum, DeKalb
Chester Gould-Dick Tracy Museum, Woodstock
Gardner Museum of Architecture & Design, Quincy
Illinois Museum of Natural History, campus of Illinois State University, from 1857-1877
Korean War National Museum, Sangamon
Lakeview Museum of Arts & Sciences, Peoria
Max Nordeen's Wheels Museum, Woodhull
McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, Chicago
Motorola Museum of Electronics, Schaumburg
Museum of Funeral Customs, Springfield
Museum of Holography, Chicago
National Museum of Surveying, Springfield
Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, Rantoul
Old Barn Museum, Newark
Oliver Parks Telephone Museum, Springfield
Park Ridge Historical Society Museum, Park Ridge
The Peace Museum, Chicago
Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum, Arcola
Shea's Gas Station Museum, Springfield
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, Chicago
Stuka Military Museum, Oregon
Terra Museum, Chicago
Under the Prairie Frontier Archaeological Museum, Athens
U.S. Senator Paul Simon Museum, Troy
Vinegar Hill Historic Lead Mine & Museum, Galena
Walter Payton Museum, Aurora