Free Museums in Wheaton

"When this museum opened in its new aluminum-lined facility in 1996, it became the country's largest museum of contemporary art. Featured works go far beyond two dimensions and include such diverse media as sculpture, photography, dance, performance and music. Three large exhibition floors showcase more than 7000 objects, including pieces by Sol LeWitt, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and Rene Magritte."

"Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art holds one of the world’s largest collections of post-1950 art. You can easily explore the museum by foot in just a couple of hours, making it perfect for an afternoon activity. In addition to world-famous works, they also host exhibits dedicated to local artists and put a lot of care into the local community."

"$15, $8 seniors, students and teachers, free members and age 18 and under; advanced registration required. Family Days on the second Saturday of each month give parents and kids an opportunity to dive into art using different mediums. The program has continued online during the pandemic."

"Founded in 1982, this vibrant museum – the largest Latinx arts institution in the US – has become one of the city’s best. The vivid permanent collection sums up 1000 years of Mexican art and culture through classical paintings, shining gold altars, skeleton-rich folk art, beadwork and much more."

"It was the first Latino museum in the country to be accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It has built its permanent collection to 10,000+ objects, making it one of the largest collections in the nation. The museum has remained free to all since originally opening in 1987."

"Then, head over to the Mexican Art Museum. This is the largest collection of Latino artwork in the United States. If you’re at all interested in the fascinating, diverse world of Mexican art, it’s worth spending at least two hours here. It even has free admission."

"Chicago's Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is operated by the Chicago Academy of Sciences. The museum highlights Chicago's natural history. It is best known for its live butterfly house, which is both an exhibit for visitors and a laboratory that studies how to best preserve the region's population of butterflies."

"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has the most hands-on activities of any museum in the city. They offer suggested donation days on July 22, July 29, August 5, August 12, August 19, and August 26."

"At the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, You’ll find thousands of artifacts, books, posters, photographs, maps, and manuscripts, ranging from military medals to swords, that tell America’s history through the eyes of the citizen soldier. Take a tour any day of the week (free with admission) or wander collections ranging from WWII and Korean War training comics to medical research files on topics like early ambulances and Civil War nurses. Pritzker Military Museum & Library, 104 S."

"Now open Located just across from Millennium Park, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library is dedicated to educating the public about military history. The unique museum hosts a permanent exhibition on the Medal of Honor and is currently showing a special exhibit about Allied forces during World War II."

"The Pritzker Military Museum & Library in Chicago is dedicated to highlighting and studying military history. Founded in 2003, the museum now has more than 115,000 objects, 67,000 books, and 9,000 photos. The collection includes rare military memorabilia, glass negatives, posters, artwork, and videos."

"Arranged on the University of Chicago grounds in Hyde Park, the Smart Museum of Art was considered as an establishment where researchers could examine expressions of the human experience and foster displays. Today, it’s available to general society (affirmation is in every case free) and is home to the school’s assortment of compelling artwork and artifacts, including parchments and ceramics from China just as contemporary works by any semblance of Kerry James Marshall and Andy Warhol. Investigate shows committed to rambling establishments and neighborhood craftsmanship developments prior to sitting down in the gallery’s yard mold garden."

"5550 S Greenwood AveHours: Galleries are closed for reinstallation until September 11th, 2015. Regular hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-3pm) resume September 12th."

"If you are dining out in the Wicker Park district of Chicago, then the top option for Italian cuisine enthusiasts is Tortello. Dario Monni is the owner of this counter-serve restaurant, which is famous for its authentic Italian pasta. One of the best dishes on the menu is the Tortelli, which is pasta stuffed with burrata and then topped with sage brown butter and toasted hazelnuts."

"Restaurants Italian Wicker Park. There are few things in this world that taste better than authentic Italian pasta that's made by hand. Dario Monni, the owner of this sweet counter-service restaurant in Wicker Park, understands that, and his upbringing in Italy only adds to the legitimacy of this operation."

"Oz Park is an ode to author L Frank Baum’s most famous book, The Wizard of Oz. Baum was a resident of the surrounding Lincoln Park neighborhood back in the 1890s, before it became the established community it is today. Between 1995 and 2007, the Oz Park Advisory Council commissioned sculptures of the book’s characters including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Dorothy and Toto."

"OZ Park is a community garden that celebrates a fun-filled “The Wizard of Oz” theme. The park features “Dorothy’s Playlot”, with play equipment for young children to climb, swing, and run. Families can then leisurely enjoy their afternoon among the beautiful flowers in the “Emerald Garden”."

"If German-style lagers are your thing, then head straight for Metropolitan Brewing—they’ve been making this sort of beer since 2009 and they’re quite good at it. Krankshaft, the flagship brew, is made year-round and offered at Soldier Field, O’Hare and Midway International Airports, and at the home of the White Sox. Once a bit under the radar, the popularity of Metropolitan Brewing has increased since the addition of the Rockwell Taproom (listed on their website as dog, kid and freak-friendly) in Avondale, overlooking the Chicago River."

"Another north-side brewery that knows their specialty and sticks to it, Metropolitan has a huge industrial-style space on the Chicago river a few minutes from Bucktown. Their outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy their German-style lagers while taking in a view of the Windy City skyline. The staff here are incredibly welcoming, and the taproom manages to retain a friendly neighborhood feeling to it while serving up some world-class beers."

"Tucked down Rockwell Avenue in the Avondale neighborhood, Metropolitan Brewing’s Tap Room sits right on the banks of the North Branch of the Chicago River. They’re currently building a massive outdoor patio right on the river, but in the meantime, you can get a beer, order food from the rotating delivery partners, and gaze at the green views out the massive floor to ceiling windows. ➙ Need a place to stay?"

"With walls covered in blonde wood and decor accented in forest green, Hopewell Brewing’s taproom is lighter, airier and less industrial-feeling than most craft breweries. Long tables fit for communal sipping fill up quickly with large groups of friends and family (kids and dogs are welcome), so get there early. On tap, you’ll always find Hopewell’s Swift IPA (a citrus-y ale) and the crisp, refreshing First Lager."

"The Hopewell Brewing Co. brews, sells and self-distributes all their own beer. In doing so, they can connect with beer drinkers on a more personal level than some brewing companies. This fuels their mission to provide accessible, high-quality beer for all."