Best Museums in Naperville

"DowntownWalk among the Warhols If the modern wing at the Art Institute of Chicago isn’t enough, lovers of modern art can’t miss the Museum of Contemporary Art. In fact, the building itself (home to the MCA since 1996) is a modern marvel and an ode to Chicago in both its nods to famous architects from the Chicago School and in its design, which was inspired by the city’s grid system. Featuring a collection that includes Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, and countless more modern art heavy-hitters, the museum will leave you dazzled for hours."

"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. To encourage more people to visit and visit often, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away."

"PilsenImmerse yourself in Mexican culture The Pilsen neighborhood in itself is rich with Mexican murals and culture, but the National Museum of Mexican Art holds a 10,000-piece permanent collection by artists from both Mexico and America, offering a 3,000-year overview of works that often go overlooked in the American art world. Enjoy folk art, photography, sculpture, paintings and more, and make a visit here a priority during October for the museum’s Día de los Muertos exhibit, which features altars and other Day of the Dead art. What to know before you go: The museum is open 10am to 5pm Tuesday through Sunday, and admission is always free."

"Located in Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art is the only museum dedicated to Latino culture that’s a member of the American Alliance of Museums. The museum has over 9,000 examples of Mexican art from ancient Mexico to the present as well as special exhibitions. While technically free, they do ask for a donation if you can spare it."

"Located in Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Museum is dedicated to expanding knowledge of nature and environmental science. While this might sound advanced for a young child, the museum is actually very toddler-friendly with numerous hands-on exhibits. From an up close visit with critters to an obligatory “burn some energy” play space, the Peggy Notebaert is a gem in the city."

"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has been a Chicago staple for more than 160 years!. Located in Lincoln Park, the museum is dedicated to educating visitors about our natural world, conservation, preservation, and restoration through hands-on fun. Toddlers love exhibits and museum areas such as:"

"Just beyond the aquarium is the Adler Planetarium, which when constructed in 1930 became America's first planetarium. The building is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom, and a community exploring the Universe together. Each year half a million visitors experience the museum's interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on educational programs, and world-class collections."

"Art Institute of Chicago* – Fast PassOR Adler Planetarium* – VIP Entry *Your CityPASS tickets include the option for you to choose between two attractions. There’s no need to decide upfront where you’d like to visit. You can choose when you get there."

"Taking you on a journey through the stars to unlock the mysteries of our galaxy and beyond, the Adler tells amazing stories of space…"

"The Water Tower Place-based family-friendly gallery serves as dedicated space for Dr. Seuss's artwork. Visitors may view the various collections--which include sculptures, illustrated art and "secret" art--and have the option to buy. Some of the works have never been exhibited before."

"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."

"The DuSable is the nation's oldest museum dedicated to the exploration, documentation, and celebration of the African-American experience. It's in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Its holdings include 15,000 paintings, sculptures, and historic memorabilia that illuminate the African-American experience."

"Every Tuesday throughout the year, The DuSable Museum of African American History offers free admission to its Chicago museum. Children under 5 and DuSable members are also free."

"Nestled on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, the Smart Museum houses more than 15,000 artworks, ranging from European paintings and Asian arts to contemporary and modern art. This is also home to The H. C. Westermann Study Collection, which is one of the most significant public collections of artwork and archival material related to the artist’s life and work. Bonus: the Smart Museum is free."

"Plan ahead to pack a few stops in the surrounding area of this museum. You could explore the beautiful campus setting (University of Chicago in the leafy Hyde Park neighborhood) as well as other Museum Campus South attractions — like DuSable Museum of African American History — with budget-friendly admission prices. At the Smart Museum, everything is free."

"Founded in 1974, the Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago and is home to acclaimed special exhibitions and a permanent collection that spans five thousand years of artistic creation."

"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."

"Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, video consultant, three-time Emmy®-award winning TV producer, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical and traveled around the world for three years. She has been blogging atLLworldtour.comsince 2006."

"The timeless Chicago hotel has all the fame and historic charm to make your green-eyed followers even more envious of your travels."

"The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S., 5 Rabbit infuses Hispanic culture into American beer styles. The brews, named for days on the Aztec calendar, include an avocado stout, Mexican lager, and fruit-forward styles inspired by Mexican paletas. Try them all in their cozy taproom — they’re the perfect complement to the tacos (served on Thursday evenings) and tamales (every Saturday afternoon)."

"This beloved hangout offers tacos to-go with all the necessary fixings. Their Big Star DIY Taco Kits equip at-home diners with everything needed to assemble the ultimate taco, from tortillas and sauces, to veggies and proteins. Go for some of the house specialties — namely the al pastor, with pork shoulder and pineapple, or the barbacoa, with braised beef and guajillo."

"Big Star is a perennial favorite thanks to its relaxed, huge patio, cheap and tasty tacos and large menu of beers and bourbon. It’s always the perfect place to bring visiting friends for that chill Chicago neighborhood vibe. A second location is now open across from Wrigley Field on Clark Street, also with its own massive patio."

"I obviously had to throw in one of my favorite Chicago Mexican spots on this list… Sometimes you just want lunchtime tacos and margs!. And a patio when it’s nice out!!. Big Star has all of these things, at two different locations: Wicker Park and Wrigleyville."

"Mexican food plus hand-crafted beer equals a powerful and tasty combination. That is just what you will get when you pay a visit to the Cruz Blanca Brewery and Taquerìa. Start your meal with, of course, the Chips & Salsa."

"American , Pizza"

"Motor Row Brewery is located in Chicago’s historic Motor Row neighborhood|Courtesy of Motor Row Brewery. Frank Lassandrello, the head brewer of Motor Row, learned the tricks of his trade while at college in Vermont, creating home brews with his roommate. It wasn’t until 2007 that Lassandrello partnered with his son and purchased a space in Chicago’s historic Motor Row neighborhood to start his own legitimate brewery."

"Motor Row Brewing is a microbrewery with a tasting room and taproom. It produces and serves seasonal beers. As it is located in the neighborhood of automobile manufacturers and dealers, their name is conceived."

"Michigan Ave. (between 24th and 23rd streets), the brewery is the highest-rated brewery in Chicago, boasting 4.5 stars out of 80 reviews on Yelp."