Exhibition Tours
Self-Guided Exhibition Tours
Stroll through the galleries at your own pace on a self-guided tour. Experience the city's greatest triumphs and trials in the Museum's permanent exhibitions, Chicago: Crossroads of America and Facing Freedom. Get a bird's eye view of Chicago's transformation in the Imagining Chicago Diorama Hall. Celebrate the grandeur of Chicago's world fairs through Chicago Treasures installations throughout the Museum.
Discover the city's rich history through temporary exhibitions. Please schedule self-guided tours two to three weeks in advance. Audio tours of Chicago: Crossroads of America are available for an additional $2 per person.
Cost: $11 for adults; $9 for seniors and students
Duration: 2-4 hours
Group Size: minimum of 10
> Learn more about current and upcoming exhibitions
History Scavenger Hunt
How much do you know about Chicago? Test your knowledge with a scavenger hunt in the Museum. This tour is ideal for team-building or for a fun way to experience history.
Cost: $2 per person in addition to the self-guided tour fee.
Facing Freedom
Using images, artifacts and interactivity, this exhibition explores familiar and not-so-familiar stories from the nation’s past where Americans have struggled over the true meaning of freedom.
Magic
June 9, 2012 - January 6, 2013
Welcome to a one-of-a-kind experience with the history of magic! Witness live performances, experience an object theater, and examine artifacts of magic history. Find out how to become a magician. Explore how magicians learn the secrets of the craft. Discover the history of some of magic’s oldest and most popular illusions. And see what happens when the tricks in the magic shop come to life!
Guided Exhibition Tours
The Museum offers guided tours of several permanent and temporary exhibitions to help you make the most of your visit. Your visit includes a tour led by a trained docent in the gallery of your choice. Please schedule four to six weeks in advance.
Cost: $14 for adults; $13 for seniors and students
Duration: 50–60 minutes
Group Size: Minimum of 10; maximum of 50 for permanent exhibitions. Maximum group size varies for special exhibitions.
Highlights of Chicago
Discover Chicago's transformation from a smelly swamp to a thriving metropolis touring highlights of our permanent exhibition,Chicago: Crossroads of America. Experience the city's greatest triumphs and trials. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the past as you climb aboard ‘L' Car No. 1. Feel history come alive as you explore innovations in fashion, entertainment, and architecture. Discover how the city changed with each crisis—from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to the riots of 1968. Celebrate the city's love affair with its sports teams.
Chicago’s World’s Fairs
Experience the grandeur from the magnificent White City of 1893 to the rainbow-colored oasis created in 1933.
Chicago’s Innovations
Learn about Chicago’s many innovations that have impacted American Life, such as its renowned skyscrapers, modern retail practices, social reform and everyday products that have all shaped Chicago’s leading-city status.
Charles James
Through April 16, 2012
This exhibition presents the career of Charles James, one of America’s only fashion designers to have worked in the pure tradition of haute couture, and his renowned mastery of craft and technical details.
Jewish Chicago
October 21, 2012 thru January 5, 2014
Explore the rich history of Chicago’s Jewish community and discover its lasting impact on the city. From Maxwell Street and Lawndale to Hyde Park and suburban Skokie, Jews have helped shape the history of Chicago neighborhoods, religion, industry, labor, art, and politics. Guided tours available Sunday through Thursday.
Curator’s Guided tour
Get a first-hand account from one of our curators about their vision of a current exhibition’s scope and its development.
Cost: Call 312-799-2162 or e-mail grouptours@chicagohistory.org
Duration: 60 minute tours
Group size: Minimum of 10, maximum 25 people.
