Please note: Due to gallery maintenance, visitors will not have access to Early Chicago, Commerce, City in Crisis, Neighborhoods, or the theater. We aim to finish all maintenance work by Friday, August 7. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Climb aboard L car no. 1, visit a jazz club, picture yourself in the fashions of the Marshall Field’s store window, and learn what makes Chicago home sweet home. Explore the city’s history through a series of galleries that highlight artifacts through interactive features and multimedia presentations.

Self-Guided Audio Tours

To experience these audio tours, stop by the Ticket Desk to borrow an iPod.

In Our Own Words
Developed, written, and performed by Lake View High School students, this tour features original interviews, vintage music, dialog, and dramatic readings on topics such as the Great Chicago Fire, gangland Chicago, jazz and blues music, and the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Running time: 40 minutes

Crossroads Authored
Add a literary dimension to your exploration of Chicago: Crossroads of America. This audio tour offers perspectives on Chicago’s evolution from its great literary traditions. Listen to works by a dozen beloved authors, including Theodore Dreiser, Lorraine Hansberry, and Studs Terkel. Running time: 40 minutes