Chicago History Museum, Illinois

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Chicago, Illinois · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Museum with a major rail exhibit

The Chicago History Museum, at Clark Street and North Avenue, cares for more than 23 million artifacts that tell the story of the city, including Chicago's central role in American railroading and the history of its elevated trains.

  • More than 23 million artifacts
  • Free research center
  • Trolley and walking tours
  • Free field trips for Illinois students
  • CTA gifts in the Museum Store

Chicago History Museum at a glance

Hours
Check chicagohistory.org; the Museum Store is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4:15 pm and Sunday 12:30 to 4:45 pm
Admission
General admission is ticketed; see chicagohistory.org. Groups of 10 or more adults get a discount when booked four weeks ahead
Plan for
About 2 hours
Best for
History lovers and older kids curious about Chicago's trains and 'L'
Best ages
Ages 6 and up
Accessibility
A TRS line is available at 1 (800) 526-0857.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Chicago History Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Chicago.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

How a city museum tells Chicago's railroad story

The Chicago History Museum sits at the south end of Lincoln Park and serves as a museum and research center for Chicago and United States history. With more than 23 million artifacts and over 20,000 linear feet of archives, its collections reach into almost every part of city life, and transportation is a big part of that story. The museum describes Chicago's role in the history of the railroads as a prominent one, and it has built teaching materials around railroad and transit artifacts past and present.

Local teachers wrote the museum's History in Your Hands lessons, funded by a grant from the Polk Bros. Foundation. They include a lesson on the ceremonial Golden Spike, one on working on the railroad and the creation of time zones, one tracing transportation through Chicago's history, and one on the elevated trains called "L" Stands for Elevated. The museum does not post a permanent railroad gallery list online, so check its current exhibitions before a rail-focused visit.

Exhibitions, tours and an archive

Exhibitions rotate, and 2026 featured shows include Aquí en Chicago, Facing Freedom, and US at 250: Civic Action in Chicago. For rail fans, the best entry points are the events calendar, which includes trolley tours, walking tours and van tours of the city, and the Abakanowicz Research Center, which offers free admission for people researching archives, manuscripts and photographs. Adult groups can book behind-the-scenes tours led by conservators, collections managers and archivists.

Don’t miss

  1. Trolley ToursA recurring category on the museum's events calendar, a natural pick for transit-loving families.
  2. Abakanowicz Research CenterFree to use, with the museum's archives, manuscripts and photographs for anyone digging into Chicago rail history.
  3. Museum Store CTA gearCTA mugs, totes and umbrellas, plus books for readers of all ages.

Family programs and 'L' history for young learners

The museum lists family-friendly activities on its calendar, and its classroom lessons give a sense of how it teaches rail history to kids: building a construction paper 'L' car, playing an 'L' trivia game, and writing an inscription for a Golden Spike. Field trips are free for Illinois students from pre-K through grade 12. Behind-the-scenes tours are adults only, so pick public programs when visiting with children.

Plan your visit: tips for Chicago History Museum

  • Check the events calendar for trolley, walking and van tours of the city.
  • Book school field trips in advance and in writing; they are not confirmed until you get a letter.
  • Members get 10% off at the Museum Store.
  • The museum is at Clark Street and North Avenue, at the south end of Lincoln Park.

Members, volunteers and donors

The Chicago History Museum is supported by members, donors and visitors, and every Museum Store purchase helps its mission. Community volunteers also judge Chicago Metro History Day, the museum's student research program for grades six through twelve. To donate objects, images or documents related to Chicago transportation, review the museum's collection donation guidelines online.

More rail stops around Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority heritage equipment is about 2 miles away (see our CTA historic fleet page), and the Museum of Science and Industry and its train exhibits are about 4 miles south. Pullman National Historical Park is about 15 miles. Browse every train museum in Illinois for more.

Every train museum in Illinois

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Chicago's trains are called the 'L' because they run up high, and that means stairs, lots of them. I think about little legs on those steps every time I read our stairs page aloud. Rally is a corgi, so the big train stairs are too much for him, and Dad gives him a boost while Mom carries the bag. If your kids love that part too, find it on our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Chicago History Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Chicago History Museum and rail history: 20 questions

Where is the Chicago History Museum?

The Chicago History Museum is at 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614, at the south end of Lincoln Park where Clark Street meets North Avenue. The main phone number is (312) 642-4600, and a TRS line is available at 1 (800) 526-0857 for callers who need it.

Does the Chicago History Museum have railroad exhibits?

The museum explores Chicago's prominent role in railroad history through its collections and educational programs, but its exhibitions rotate and it does not post a fixed list of railroad galleries online. Check the current exhibitions on chicagohistory.org before a rail-focused visit, or call (312) 642-4600 to ask what is on view.

What are the Chicago History Museum hours?

Check chicagohistory.org for current museum hours before you go. As of October 2026, the Museum Store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4:15 pm and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:45 pm, which gives a rough sense of the museum's open days. Evening events and tours have their own times.

How much are Chicago History Museum tickets?

General admission tickets can be bought through the museum's website, which lists current prices. As of October 2026, groups of ten or more adults get a discount when booking at least four weeks ahead, with a posted group rate of $17 for adults and $15 for seniors and college students on some group visits.

Does the Chicago History Museum run trolley tours?

Yes. Trolley Tour is one of the event categories on the museum's calendar, along with walking tours and van tours of the city. Dates and routes change, so filter the events calendar on chicagohistory.org by tour type to see what is scheduled and book a spot.

What is the History in Your Hands railroad lesson set?

History in Your Hands is a set of classroom lessons written by local teachers with Polk Bros. Foundation support. The transportation lessons cover the ceremonial Golden Spike, working on the railroad and time zones, transportation through Chicago's history, and the 'L', with downloadable materials on the museum's website.

What does the Chicago History Museum teach about the 'L'?

Its "L" Stands for Elevated lesson has students play a trivia game about the history of Chicago's public transit system, build their own construction paper 'L' car and write advertising slogans for elevated trains. It is a good at-home activity before or after a visit, and it is free to download.

Can kids visit the Chicago History Museum?

Yes. The museum lists family-friendly activities on its calendar alongside exhibitions and tours. Behind-the-scenes tours are for adults and university students only, but public galleries and family programs are open to children. Check the calendar for family events on the day you plan to visit.

Are field trips free at the Chicago History Museum?

Field trips are free for Illinois students from pre-K through grade 12, and out-of-state students are $8 each. Because school visits are popular, reservations must be made in advance and in writing through the field trip form, and a visit is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation letter.

Can adult groups book tours at the Chicago History Museum?

Yes. Groups of ten or more adults get a discount when reserving at least four weeks ahead, with options such as guided and self-guided museum tours, city walking tours, a history pub crawl and virtual experiences. Email grouptours@chicagohistory.org or use the request form on the Adult Group Visits page.

What is the behind-the-scenes tour at the Chicago History Museum?

It is a 60-minute tour led by conservators, collections managers or archivists, showing items not on display, storage areas or conservation labs. Groups must be 10 to 15 adults, give two weeks notice, and tours run only on the fourth Friday of the month at 11 am. Masks are requested in storage areas.

Can I research Chicago railroad history at the Chicago History Museum?

Yes. The Abakanowicz Research Center holds the museum's archives, manuscripts and photographs and offers free admission. Its online catalog, ARCHIE, has a new interface for searching. If you cannot visit, the museum suggests using its online research resources or its contact form.

How big is the Chicago History Museum collection?

The museum cares for more than 23 million artifacts and over 20,000 linear feet of archival material. It welcomes more than 66,000 general admission visitors and 27,000 student field trip visitors each year, and runs dozens of city tours annually.

Does the Chicago History Museum store sell train gifts?

The Museum Store sells all things Chicago, including CTA mugs, totes and umbrellas, books for readers of all ages, historic prints of the city and sports gear. Members get 10% off, and every purchase supports the museum. As of October 2026, the store is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4:15 pm and Sunday 12:30 to 4:45 pm.

Can I donate a railroad artifact to the Chicago History Museum?

If you have objects, images or documents you believe fit the collection, review the museum's collection donation information online. It explains the collecting scope and includes the correct online form and contact details. The museum reviews offers against that scope rather than accepting everything.

Is the Chicago History Museum accessible?

The museum offers a TRS line at 1 (800) 526-0857 for visitors who need telecommunications relay service. For details on wheelchair access, elevators or other accommodations in the galleries, call (312) 642-4600 or use the contact form on chicagohistory.org before your visit.

How long should I spend at the Chicago History Museum?

Plan on about two hours to see the main exhibitions at a comfortable pace, longer if you add a guided tour or time in the research center. City walking and trolley tours run separately and can take two hours or more, so check the event length when you book.

What events are coming up at the Chicago History Museum?

The events calendar lists film screenings, walking tours, gallery talks, family activities and member events. In fall 2026, programs included Chicago International Film Festival screenings and the Aquí en Chicago closing program on November 8. Filter the calendar on chicagohistory.org to find tours and family events.

How do I contact the Chicago History Museum?

Call (312) 642-4600, or use the online contact form at chicagohistory.org for general and research questions. Group tour questions go to grouptours@chicagohistory.org. Written correspondence can be mailed to Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614-6038.

What train museums are near the Chicago History Museum?

Chicago Transit Authority heritage equipment is about 2 miles away, the Museum of Science and Industry railroad exhibits are about 4 miles, and Pullman National Historical Park is about 15 miles. Farther out, the Fox River Trolley Museum is about 35 miles and the Illinois Railway Museum about 51 miles.

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