Best History Museum in Downtown Chicago

"Washington ParkCelebrate the achievements of African-Americans in the past and present Named for Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a Haitian who is credited for establishing Chicago in 1779, the DuSable Museum of African-American History celebrates African-American history, culture, and art through world-class exhibits and programming, including permanent exhibits highlighting African-Americans in the military and telling the story of the African-American experience, from the Transatlantic Slave Trade through Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements, and the US’s first black president. What to know before you go: The DuSable Museum of African-American History is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5pm Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, $3 for children ages 6-11 and free for children 5 and younger, with discounts for Chicago residents and free admission every Tuesday."

"Cool fact… the DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Another cool fact… Chicago-proud musician and celebrity Chance the Rapper added some star power to their efforts when he joined as a museum board trustee this year. It’s pretty special to be so rooted in history and heritage, but also very future forward."

"Nobel Peace Prize-winner Jane Addams was the leader of the settlement housing reform movement, which encouraged middle-class people to move into poor urban areas in order to share their knowledge and skills, contribute essential services and encourage economic integration. Addams founded Hull-House in 1889 with the goal of providing everything from childcare for working mothers to acculturation classes for immigrants. Now a museum, Hull-House displays pictures, furniture and a collection of artwork by individuals who lived in the house, offering historical insight into what life was like during the turn of the 20th century."

"Near West SideCelebrate social change and activism Jane Addams was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, and the Hull-House Museum celebrates the social change she and her colleagues made in this very space in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Addams founded the Hull House as a social settlement for changemakers. The work that came out of the house includes initiatives for immigrants and juveniles."

"Social reformer Jane Addams was one of the most influential people of her time. Her work helped immigrants and to shape national and international policy. The museum preserves the Nobel laureate’s legacy and helps further her vision through research, education, and social engagement."

"ChinatownLearn how one of the country’s oldest Chinatowns developed Chinatown is a favorite stop among visitors to Chicago, and the Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is a must-see of the neighborhood. With a permanent exhibit that tells the story of Chinese immigration to the Midwest, plus rotating exhibits on things like Chinese clothing, art, and more, this museum is sure to teach visitors something new about an important culture that has been rooted in Chicago's community for more than 100 years. What to know before you go: The Chinese-American Museum of Chicago is open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday and 9:30am to 2pm Tuesday-Friday."

"The Chinese American Museum of Chicago opened in 2005 in Chicago's Chinatown. Three years after its opening, the museum suffered a fire and lost a considerable amount of its collection. Today, the museum is a hotbed of cultural artifacts from the Chinese culture and hosts a popular Chinese New Year celebration in the city each year."

"238 W 23rd StHours: Tues-Fri, 9:30am-1:30pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pmSuggested donation: $5. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town."

"Gone are the days of chunky scoops, and here to stay are the finely crafted, thin slices of ice cream that trick you into thinking you’re ingesting fewer calories than you really are."

"Description: Aha Crepe is known for serving Crepes and Dessert, ranging from sweet to savory. Location: 2435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061"

"Little Goat is a perfect interpretation of modern-day diner with swivel counter seating, tufted leather booths, and mid-century lighting. And one glance at the menu is bound to spark smirks here, thanks to names like This Little Piggy Went to China (a sesame-cheddar biscuit with eggs and Sichuan pork sausage). Leave it to "Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard (also behind Chicago favorites The Girl & the Goat and Cabra) to ensure the food is every bit as fun and flavorful as their printed descriptions."

"Restaurants Bakeries West Loop. Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard puts her gourmet spin on the old-school diner model with this sweet West Loop restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Dig into reimagined classics like the Bull's Eye French toast on sweet onion brioche with eggs, crispy chicken and barbecue maple syrup."

"Chips drenched in cheese and sour cream and covered with bbq pork, beans, peppers, and avocado. It’s food porn heaven. Just don’t forget to share them, so you leave room for the rest of the meal."

"This Evanston hole-in-the-wall has earned a devoted cult following among North Shore denizens. They flock here for Loretta—a sandwich, not a woman. A feast for $7, the Loretta layers white cheese, mayo, peppers, tomatoes, onions and your choice of bacon, ham, turkey or chorizo on a six-inch French roll."

"West LoopWhen this West Loop pioneer opened back in 2003, the elegant yet approachable eatery quickly made a name for itself thanks to sleek communal tables, a forward-thinking wine list, and, most importantly, the juiciest medjool date dish the Midwest had ever encountered. Plump dates undergo the full hog treatment here, plied with spiced chorizo sausage before being wrapped in a thick slab of bacon, fired until crisp and crackling, and doused in a warm piquillo pepper tomato sauce that practically demands a hunk of good, freshly baked bread. Don’t think, just order.How to book: Reserve via Tock or order take-out and delivery via DoorDash, GrubHub, and Caviar."

"Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space has seating for only 48 people, and it's a tight fit....Read More"

"Most dishes at Handlebar can be vegan upon request|© Handlebar. Veg lovers flock to this Wicker Park hipster haven for comfort food with a vegetarian twist. Most guests come for the fried avocado tacos, jammed with cabbage slaw, tomatoes, refried beans and house-made ranch, but there’s a bevy of other vegetarian dishes, too, such as a pepita scramble flanked by sweet potatoes, veggie chili mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy slathered in seitan sausage gravy."

"Bars Beer bars Wicker Park. The multiple bike racks out back are packed with every kind of two-wheeler imaginable, no matter the time of year at this biker bar (and by biker, we mean bicycle-r). Eco-minded folks come together over tasty meat-free fare, like fried avocado tacos, sambal tofu and something called Vegan Chili Mac Attack (just trust us on this one)."

"The Field Museum of Natural History is one of the biggest natural history museums in the world. The Field Museum is considered a leader in its scientific and educational programming. The Field Museum's permanent collection includes more than 24 million different specimens, including fossils, meteorites, and gems."

"The Field Museum has come along way since 1893 when it was built for the World’s Columbian Exposition. This place is truly a natural history heaven with towering dinos, Egyptian tomb jewels, and so many more archaeological gems. It’s even home to the world’s largest T-Rex."

"The big thing to see these days is literally big: Maximo the Titanosaur, the largest dinosaur that ever lived. And, the world's most famous T. Rex, Sue, got the royal treatment with brand new digs on the 2nd floor."