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Things to do in Illinois, United States: The Best Art Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including The Art Institute of Chicago, Richard W. Bock Sculpture Museum, Ukrainian National Museum, Thorne Miniature Rooms, Wabash Arts Corridor, Lombard Historical Society, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, National Museum of Mexican Art, National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, Block Museum of Art.
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1. The Art Institute of Chicago
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24,057 reviews
See why the Art Institute of Chicago is the only museum in the world to be top-ranked by TripAdvisor four years in a row! Experience the greatest Impressionist collection outside Paris, and view contemporary masterpieces in the spectacular Modern Wing. Stand before classics like Nighthawks, and travel the globe through galleries devoted to the art of ancient Greece, Japan, Africa, and the Americas.
Reviewed By nemeshek - Mexico City, Mexico
This is the best Chicago Museum for me. All the classical paints such as Francesco de Mura, Peter Paul Rubens, El Greco, Luca Cambiaso, Tintoretto, Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne, Edvard Munch, Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh are incredible. This is a must to visit in Chicago.
2. Richard W. Bock Sculpture Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
3. Ukrainian National Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
A collection of artifacts and archives relating to 1,000 years of Ukrainian culture.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Founded in 1952, the Ukrainian National Museum in Chicago is home to thousands of artifacts, artwork, musical instruments, weavings, agricultural tools, folk arts, embroidered folk costumes, rare books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, periodicals, memorabilia and exhibits that focus on the history and heritage of the Ukrainian community. Located at 2249 West Superior Street in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood, it also contains souvenir materials from the former Soviet Union, artwork by Ukrainian immigrants, Ukrainian embroidery and an exhibit dealing with Chicago's unique Ukrainian community. One of the most interesting displays highlights decorated Easter Eggs or "Pysanky," a Ukrainian staple folk art. The oldest designs are called ideograms but the painted eggs share a common theme--the sun, a rose and stars in various patterns. Also a fascinating and highly educational exhibit called "Ukrainian Genocide-Holodomor of 1932-1933," which showcases photographs, documents and newspaper articles dedicated to informing the public about the little known forced famine in Ukraine.
4. Thorne Miniature Rooms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
My wife and I have browsed the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago on previous occasions. But after seeing the display of the Thorne collection at the Phoenix Art Museum during our recent two-week vacation in Arizona, we decided to make another visit to larger Thorne collection in Chicago. It is an exhibit unlike any other, a child's dream. Thorne Miniature Rooms are a set of about 100 miniature models of rooms created between 1932 and 1940 under the direction of Narcissa Niblack Thorne, who was born in 1882 in Vincennes, Indiana. As a child, she began to collect miniature furniture and household accessories. Her uncle, a U.S. Navy vice admiral, sent her many antique dollhouse miniatures from around the world. When she was 19, she married Montgomery Ward department store heir James Ward Thorne, whose fortune helped to finance her hobby. Ninety-nine of the rooms are still believed to be in existence. The majority of them, a total of 68, are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, located at 111 South Michigan Avenue. We saw 20 of them at the Phoenix Art Museum. The Art Institute's rooms document European and American interiors from the late 13th century to the 1930s and the 17th century to the 1930s, respectively. Constructed on a 1:12 scale, the rooms are largely made of the same materials as full-sized rooms and some even include original works of art, including paintings and sculpture, silver bowls and crystal chandeliers. They are among the most popular attractions at the Art Institute with an authentic appearance and attention to detail that boggles the mind.
5. Wabash Arts Corridor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
The WAC is an urban outdoor exhibition featuring world class, large-scale works of public art. The heart of WAC is Wabash Avenue from Van Buren to Roosevelt and is framed to the east by Michigan Avenue and to the west by State Street.
Reviewed By Mudge828 - Chicago, United States
We took a walking tour of murals in the Wabash Arts Corridor, organized through Columbia College. Great fun! Although it was a very warm day, we found lots of shade. Our docent was excellent, providing us with lots of information about the history of the murals and why they were done in this area. If you're interested in a deep dive into art and history, this is a great tour to take.
6. Lombard Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
The Lombard Historical Society operates the Victorian Cottage, Carriage House, and Sheldon Peck Homestead. So come and play in the Pioneer Playhouse, give your senses a treat in the Sheldon Peck Accessible Garden, see how the Victorians lived, trace the Underground Railroad through northern Illinois at the Peck Homestead, step into the Carriage House for exhibits (rotating on diverse topics) or, if your timing is right, take a guided tour of Lilacia Park (month of May). There is an extensive archive for research please make an appointment in advance.
7. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The Lizzadro Museum recently relocated to Oak Brook. We opened our doors in our new facility on November 12, 2019. Our museum was founded by Joseph Lizzadro in order to share his love of Lapidary Art with others. The Museum opened its doors in Elmhurst on November 4, 1962 with this statement of purpose from the Lizzadro Family, "To share with others our enjoyment of the eternal beauty in gemstones and our appreciation of the art with which man has complemented the works of nature". The museum is still owned and operated by the Lizzadro Family.
Reviewed By 53Ruta_R - Chicago, United States
The Museum has just reopened with limited visitation (due to the Covid-19 Pandemic). I went on a Saturday and was the only visitor, otherwise it was just the staff. Although they wanted/preferred reservations, I was allowed in without one since there weren't others. The Museum boasts a large collections of Jade carving, Rocks from different countries and interactive screens. I spent about an hour at the museum.
8. National Museum of Mexican Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 237 reviews
Enjoy one of the country's largest collections of Mexican art and culture, including a vibrant textile collection including indigenous outfits and weavings, folk art including masks and Día de los Muertos artifacts and ephemera documenting the Chicano Movement. Open daily 10am-5pm, closed Mondays.
Reviewed By bettyc552
This museum is small but there is a lot to see. It is a great way to learn the Mexican heritage, culture and history. There are lots of artwork ranging from painting, sculptures, pictures and photos. We went in early November and they had amazing artworks for Dia de Los Muertos on display. The museum is free and there are donation boxes in the hallway. The gift shop is worth a visit. There are beautiful home decorations, toys and jewelry. They do not have a parking lot but there are plenty of street parking
9. National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
10. Block Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
The Block Museum of Art is a dynamic, imaginative, and innovative teaching and learning resource for Northwestern University and its surrounding communities, featuring a global exhibition program that crosses time periods and cultures and serves as a springboard for thought-provoking discussions. The Block mounts exhibitions; commissions new work; organizes lectures, symposia, and workshops; and screens classic and contemporary films at its in-house cinema. With over 5,000 artworks, the permanent collection of the Block Museum boasts rich and diverse holdings of prints, drawings, and photography and continues to expand its holdings of works in every medium that that support the museum’s global and interdisciplinary mission. Always free and open to all.
Reviewed By O6378WFannag - Park Ridge, United States
Very nice modern building and an amazing location on university campus and by the Michigan Lake. Very interesting expo.
