Delve into Chicago history from wherever you are! Our new exclusive lectures with Chicago History Museum curatorial staff can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home, your virtual office, or incorporated into your next virtual event.  See the full list of offerings here.

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods with each one featuring distinct buildings and residences. Now that more of our house history resources are available online, you can get a personalized walk-through of them with Ellen Keith, CHM director of Research and Access. Get more information here.

Learn the backstory and see Chicago’s past and present from a historian’s perspective with guided or self-guided tours.

Highlights of Chicago

Discover the city’s vast history in Chicago: Crossroads of America. Whether you want to explore the grandeur of the world fairs of 1893 and 1933, or Chicago innovations that changed the world like skyscrapers and modern retail, or the diverse neighborhoods and lively cultural scene, this exhibition is a must see!

This is Chicago

City that Works, Second City, City of Big Shoulders–all are names the city has proudly earned. Meet the diverse people who have called Chicago home and imagined the city it is today.

Chicago’s World’s Fairs

From the White City of 1893 to the rainbow-colored oasis of 1933, experience the wonder of Chicago’s world’s fairs.

Duration: 50–60 minutes

Group size: Minimum 10, maximum 25 people

Cost: $21 for adults; $19 for seniors (65+) and college students

American Medina: Stories of Muslim Chicago

This exhibition draws from more than 100 interviews conducted with Muslim Chicagoans sharing their stories of faith, identity, and personal journeys. Dozens of objects from local individuals and organizations, such as garments, artwork, and photographs, as well as videos and interactive experiences expand on how and why Chicago is known as the American Medina.

Duration: 50–60 minutes

Group size: Minimum 10, maximum 30 people

Cost: $23 for adults; $21 for seniors (65+) and college students

Modern by Design

In the midst of the Great Depression, Chicago emerged as a vibrant center of streamlined design. The aerodynamic style expressed optimism and a desire for speed, power, and efficiency that suited life in the 20th century. Showcased at the 1933–34 world’s fair, this aesthetic and its enormous popularity prompted many local companies to hire new talent to design stylish yet affordable goods for middle-class consumers. Some of Chicago’s quintessential streamlined products, including Radio Flyer wagons, Sunbeam appliances, and Farmall tractors, became national best-sellers and remain icons of modern American design.

Featuring nearly 300 objects, photographs, and printed materials dating from the 1930s to 1950s, Modern by Design: Chicago Streamlines America celebrates Chicago’s role in shaping one of the most popular and enduring styles in our history

Duration: 50–60 minutes

Group Size: Minimum 10, maximum 30 people

Cost: $23 for adults; $21 for seniors (65+) and college students

Building Chicago

From tallgrass to tall buildings, frontier town to metropolis of the Midwest, tenacity, vision, and hard work built Chicago. Explore the innovations and ideas behind the city that is second to none.

Duration: 50–60 minutes

Group size: Minimum 10, maximum 50 people for permanent exhibitions, maximum varies for special exhibitions

Cost: $21 for adults; $19 for seniors (65+) and college students

Curators Guided Tour

Get a first-hand account from one of our curators about his or her vision of a current exhibition’s scope and its development.

Group size: Minimum 10, maximum 25 people

Duration: 60 minutes

Learn all about Chicago history as you stroll through the galleries at your own pace. Audio tours of Chicago: Crossroads of America are available for $2 per person

Group size: Minimum 10, maximum 100 people

Duration: 2–4 hours.The group rate of $17 for adults and $15 for seniors/college students applies. 

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.

Explore the city with your very own guide. Groups must supply motor coach transportation.

Best of Chicago

Experience iconic Chicago including our breathtaking skyline, architectural treasures, the Magnificent Mile, theater and financial districts, and Millennium Park.

Chicago’s Ethnic Neighborhoods

Discover the city of neighborhoods and get a flavor for the richness of other cultures from Bronzeville to Hyde Park, Chinatown to Greektown, and Little Italy to Pullman.

Devil in the White City

Imagine the grandeur of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 depicted in Erik Larson’s best-selling book as you tour sites from the Midway Plaisance to the Wooded Isle.

Hot Time in the City—The Great Chicago Fire

Blaze through town while visiting sites related to this amazing story of tragedy and triumph. Please leave all lanterns and cows at home.

Pour into the city’s famous drinking establishments for a unique perspective on Chicago history.

Chicago’s Greatest Dives

Visit the city’s celebrated dive bars and discover the history behind moonshine, bathtub gin, and other historic homemade concoctions.

Booze, Bars, and Bootlegging! Prohibition Era Chicago

Get a taste of the infamous speakeasies frequented by Chicago’s notorious gangsters. Learn how prohibition came to be and how it ultimately shaped the city and its image.

Drinkin’ With Lincoln

Lincoln, Lincoln, I’ve been thinkin’, what the heck have you been drinkin’? This three hour Abeventure includes visits to four taverns that lend themselves to discussing the life and legacy of one of our nation’s most important presidents. A historically great time is guaranteed, honestly.