Top Museums in Illinois

Check the museum's website for free admission days! I saved a bunch by visiting on one of those days – totally worth it.

Make sure to wear comfy shoes. This place is huge and I regretted wearing my stylish sneakers after a few hours of walking!

Grab a map when you enter and mark the things you wanna see first. I didn't do this and got super sidetracked. It’ll help save time wandering around.

I suggest checking out the special exhibits first when you enter. They tend to get busier later in the day. I missed out on a cool one the later I waited.

If you’re interested in the U-505 submarine, make sure to reserve a ticket in advance. I waited too long and ended up missing that exhibit, which was a bummer!!!

I recommend using the app for guided exploration – it helped us discover hidden gems throughout the museum and made it more interactive for the kids!

I think visiting on a Wednesday or Thursday can save you from long weekend lines. We went midweek and practically walked right in!

If you plan to visit the café, my advice is to try the seasonal specials. They were surprisingly delicious and not overpriced compared to other museum venues.

I recommend getting there right at 10 AM when they open. The exhibits are a bit less crowded first thing, so you can really take your time looking at everything up close

I suggest booking your tickets online in advance to skip the long lines. I didn't do that, and I wasted a lot of time waiting. The house is super cool, but getting in took forever!

Wear comfy shoes! You'll be doing a ton of walking, and my feet were sore by the end. I do wish I had my sneakers instead of sandals.

I recommend buying your tickets online before your visit. It saved me some time in line, and I ended up getting a discount too. Plus, you can easily pick your time slot.

Make sure to check out the schedule for the live shows before you go. I missed the one I wanted because I didn't plan it out and it would’ve been so worth it!