21 Chicago Museum Exhibits You Should See This Winter - Time Out

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The Watchman of Humboldt Park (I, Apostle),2020, mixed media
Tony Fitzpatrick | The Watchman of Humboldt Park (I, Apostle),2020, mixed media
Tony FitzpatrickThe best Chicago museum exhibits to see right now

Chicago's museums, galleries and pop-ups are hosting some intriguing exhibits throughout the winter.

Wednesday December 22 2021ShareCopy LinkFacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppZach LongWritten by Zach LongAdvertising

Too cold outside? You can always warm up in some of the best Chicago museums, where there are plenty of exhibitions to explore. If you missed out on major fall museum exhibits like the Barbara Kruger "anti-retrospective" at the Art Institute or local artist Tony Fitzpatrick's final gallery show at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, they're still on display. It's also your final chance to see "Immersive Van Gogh," which will be replaced with projections featuring the work of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in February. And there's also small new museum directly next to the Chicago Theatre devoted to the history of medieval torture. Not sure what to see? We've gathered the best Chicago museum exhibits you can visit right now.

While they're not required to do so, some museums are requiring guests ages 5 and up to show proof of vaccination for entry, just like Chicago bars and restaurants. Check each institution's website for details and don't forget your vax card!

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Best Chicago museum exhibits

1. Medieval Torture Museum

  • Things to do
  • Weird & Wonderful
Medieval Torture MuseumMedieval Torture Museum
Photograph: Emma Krupp

See a replica of a Holy Roman Empire-style breaking wheel or learn what exactly a Viking-era “bloody eagle” is at this small eight-room museum, located directly next to the Chicago Theatre. Many of the gruesome displays are inspired by historical tales that you'll learn about if you walk through with an audio guide, which provides naration to accompany the gallery of silicone dummies and interactive guillotine blades. It's more than a little kitschy (there's a ghost-hunting app that you can download to find "spirits" amid the displays), but the Medieval Torture Museum could be a fun diversion if you've tired of Chicago's more serious institutions.

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2. Museum of Illusions Chicago

  • Things to do
  • Exhibitions
  • Loop
  • price 2 of 4
Museum of Illusions ChicagoMuseum of Illusions Chicago
Photograph: Courtesy Museum of Illusions

Part of a chain of trippy “edutainment” destinations founded in Zagreb, Croatia, the Museum of Illusions Chicago is packed with mind-bending photo-ops. Loaded with more than 80 exhibitions, the interactive experience allows you to become a part of various illusions (and snap some primo Instagram pics along the way). Popular installation include a scale-distorting Ames room, a mirrored Infinity room, a glowing Vortex tunnel and an Anti-Gravity room.

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