Museums and Collections in Illinois

Discover 25 unusual museums and collections in Illinois.

Chicago, Illinois

The Insect Asylum

A small Chicago museum filled with thousands of preserved butterflies, beetles, and more.

Sauget, Illinois

National Building Arts Center

In a historic steel foundry east of the Mississippi River, thousands of wooden crates hold the architectural remnants of buildings long gone but not forgotten.

Union, Illinois

Illinois Railway Museum

At the largest railway museum in the United States, you can see everything from an early steam engine to a functioning Thomas the Tank Engine.

Volo Auto Museum

Its eclectic exhibits range from the world’s first motorcycle to Luke Skywalker’s Land Speeder.

Chicago, Illinois

Oriental Institute Museum

This surprising gem is a world-class archeological museum hidden at the University of Chicago.

Batavia, Illinois

Batavia Depot Museum

An exhibit of items from the mental institution where Mary Todd Lincoln lived after her son conspired to have her committed.

Roscoe, Illinois

Historic Auto Attractions

This deceivingly ordinary warehouse hides an enormous collection of pop culture treasures.

Chicago, Illinois

Michael's Museum

A curious collection of miniatures in a quiet corner of the Chicago Children's Museum.

Chicago, Illinois

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Honoring Italian greats from Joe DiMaggio to Rocky Marciano.

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

Chicago, Illinois

Stained Glass at Navy Pier

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

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.

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.

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.