Best Museums in Downers Grove Township

"Dedicated to art from 1945 to the present, the Museum of Contemporary art is endowed with a serious collection, spanning surrealism, conceptual art, pop art and minimalism. You’ll get to see works by Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Francis Bacon, René Magritte, Alexander Calder, Ann Hamilton and Richard Serra. When we wrote this article in 2018 there was a haunting exhibition by the Nigerian multidisciplinary artist Otobong Nkanga, combining installations, photography and textiles."

"Children under 18, members of the military and police and fire departments, and veterans are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free every Tuesday. Proof of residency is required."

"A group of art patrons who felt the great Art Institute was unresponsive to modern work founded the MCA in 1967, and it has remained…"

"The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago is home to more than 5,000 pieces by Mexican, Latino, and Chicano artists. It is considered the largest Latino cultural institution in the United States and the only Latino museum to have received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. The National Museum of Mexican Art is perhaps best known for its annual Día de los Muertos exhibit."

"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."

"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."

"Museum admission is always free for anyone with an active military ID, the Chicago police and fire departments and children under 18. General free admission days for 2020 are:. April 6 – Centennial of WWI"

"The Smart Museum of Art has impressive collections of European, American and Asian art|© Andre Jenny / Alamy Stock Photo. Located on the University of Chicago campus, the Smart Museum of Art bills itself as “an intimate museum for bold encounters with art.” The collection – which includes pieces by Edgar Degas, Frank Lloyd Wright, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko and Pablo Picasso – is renowned for its extensive array of fine art and objects representing a plethora of eras, continents and genres."

"In the warmer months, kids of all ages will love visiting the outdoor sculpture garden and all year long families can try their hands and Family Day on the first Saturday of the month. Located on the University of Chicago campus, students, faculty and alumni often contribute to the exhibitions."

"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."

"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."

"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."

"The Goat team decided that having 84 great West Loop restaurants wasn’t good enough, so they opened Sugargoat in the space next to Little Goat Diner. It’s a dessert shop specializing in treats with fun flavor combinations. So you can get things like pickled raisin oatmeal cookies, a gjetost apple pie, or Cheez-it cake filled with cheddar caramel and topped with strawberry Nesquik buttercream and peanut butter and chocolate-covered Cheez-its."

"Who hasn't been quarantine baking and snarfing more sweets than ever?. That includes Chicago Chef Stephanie Izard and Pastry Chef Faith Taheny who launched Sugargoat, a walk up bakery and sweets shop inside of Little Goat Diner in late 2020. Sugargoat stocks luscious items to-go (and national delivery), including cakes, pies, cookies and cupcakes, as well as muffins, bagels, scones, and croissants in the morning."

"Creative Brazilian-style cakes and treats are baked at Fabiana’s Bakery, a cute space on 53rd Street in Hyde Park. Chocolate cakes and banana cream pies are highlights. Fabiana Carter also provides booze-infused desserts down the street at Bibliophile, the gastropub/cafe she and her husband run down the street."

"Walk by the cashier and pass through two bars with old-school charm. Find a deep beer selection, classic cocktails, and even beer from the owners’ brewery, Marz. Food comes from Kimski, the Ko-Po fusion spot the meshes Korean and Polish, and Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream."

"Maria's has been in operation for years as what they call a 'slashie' - half tavern, half liquor store. Recently remodeled with recycled and refurbished hardwood floor-to-ceiling, this joint has been shaking up the Chicago suburbs ever since.[Learn more]"

"Don’t even bother coming to this homey Bridgeport staple if you’re not interested in making new friends and toasting to warm Chicago nights. There’s also outdoor seating at Kimski next door if you need a food-filled break from the bar."

"Founded in 2004, Corbett vs Dempsey has been committed both to the historical and contemporary legacy of Chicago art, and to the task of presenting major international artists in the Windy City. Since its inception, the gallery has been involved in an intensive exploration of the well-known and the unseen in Chicago, bringing solos exhibitions by artists such as Richard Artschwager, Albert Oehlen, Joyce Pensato, Terry Winters, and Christopher Wool, continuing to represent some of them. Featured image: Corbett vs Dempsey, the view of Christopher Wool exhibition, via Corbett vs Dempsey."

"The duo behind this Wicker Park gallery has quite a pedigree in the Chicago art scene. John Corbett has taught at the School of Art Institute of Chicago for more than 30 years, while Jim Dempsey was the house manager and occasional programmer at the Gene Siskel Film Center for more than 20 years. They founded Corbett vs Dempsey in 2004, and the gallery’s exhibitions and events reflect the pair’s multidisciplinary backgrounds, with film and music pieces showcased alongside a variety of contemporary art."

"One of the premier private art galleries in Chicago, Corbett vs Dempsey has for many years been a pioneer in showcasing midwestern American art. Exhibitions focus on modern and contemporary Chicago paintings, sculpture and prints. The gallery is named for its founders, John Corbett and Jim Dempsey, who met at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago."

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"