Museums in Illinois

Discover 31 unusual museums in Illinois.

1810s English Rotunda, Thorne Miniature Rooms

Chicago, Illinois

Thorne Miniature Rooms

Each of these gorgeous, intricately decorated rooms is painstakingly crafted to the scale of 1 inch: 1 foot.

Permanently Closed

Ecclesiastical angels by Tiffany Studios at the Driehaus Museum of Stained Glass.

Chicago, Illinois

Stained Glass at Navy Pier

A display of magnificent stained glass windows is the first exhibit of its kind.

A detail of the chapel walls.

Chicago, Illinois

Hidden Egyptian Temple in Field Museum Break Room

Years of archaeology, just chillin' by the water cooler.

Lincoln at the top of the pole in Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

Proud Raven Totem Pole

Abraham Lincoln's likeness rests at the top of this giant totem pole.

Evanston, Illinois

The American Toby Jug Museum

More than 8,000 drinking jugs say “Cheers!” to a guy named Toby.

International Museum of Surgical Science

Chicago, Illinois

International Museum of Surgical Science

A monument to the art of slicing people open.

Chicago, Illinois

Leather Archives & Museum

Chicago's museum dedicated to the history of bondage and fetishism is more textbook than titillation.

U-505

Chicago, Illinois

U-505

The unluckiest U-boat in the entire German fleet is now on display in a Chicago museum.

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum

Oak Park, Illinois

Ernest Hemingway Birthplace and Museum

The famous author's birthplace is preserved in a town that he once described as narrow-minded.

Permanently Closed

McDonald's First Store Museum

Des Plaines, Illinois

McDonald's First Store Museum

Despite its name, this fast food museum is actually a replica of the ninth McDonald's store.

The Money Museum

Chicago, Illinois

Money Museum

This museum celebrating the almighty dollar lets visitors literally stand in the shadow of a million bucks.

Permanently Closed

Rock N Roll McDonald's and Museum

Chicago, Illinois

Rock N Roll McDonald's and Museum

The palatial McDonald's that inspired Wesley Willis.

Chicago, Illinois

The DNA Discovery Center

At Chicago's revered Field Museum, visitors are invited to learn about and literally explore DNA.

The front of the store. (Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop)

Evanston, Illinois

Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop

Shop of curiosities with a dinosaur museum tucked in its basement.

Shirley, Illinois

Funk Gem and Mineral Museum

Eclectic collection of rare and beautiful stones in a historic home.

Sadorus, Illinois

National Museum of Ship Models and Sea History

An amazing collection of scale model ships.