Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips.
Our listing of Illinois field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Illinois field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.
Alton Museum of History and ArtAlton
The Alton Museum of History and Art was founded in 1971 to preserve the great heritage of our community. Through the exhibits, we share with you our past and present so that you too may discover the people, places and events that influenced our ancestors and continue to shape our destiny.
Aikman Wildlife and Prehistoric AdventureArcola
Come visit Aikman Wildlife Adventure for a variety of adventures for the whole family! Each adventure provides a different experience from driving through our mile-long path of zebras, camels, water buffalo and more to walking among our hyenas, wolfdogs, petting zoo and others! You can also experience one of our more interactive adventures by feeding our large herbivores on a safari-like Wagon Adventure or getting Behind The Scenes to learn more about our animals. Take a trip to the past! In the Museum of Prehistoric Life see and interact with life size examples of animals from the past. Then experience encounters with some of the animals of today in our Walk-Thru Adventure.
Arlington Heights Historical MuseumArlington Heights
The site of the Frederick W. Muller home and soda pop factory, the museum complex includes the original 1882 Victorian home, the coach house, 1906 soda pop factory, the 1908 Banta house and a replica 1830's log cabin.
Aurora Regional Fire MuseumAurora
The Aurora Regional Fire Museum is a nonprofit, tax exempt educational institution whose purpose is to preserve Aurora's old Central Fire Station for use as a museum. The Aurora Regional Fire Museum will preserve and exhibit the artifacts and history of Aurora and surrounding area fire departments, as well as teach and promote fire safety and prevention.
Batavia Depot MuseumBatavia
The city’s past comes alive through exhibits detailing the history of rail transportation, the manufacture of windmills, agriculture, banking, commerce, and a brief stay by Mary Todd Lincoln at Bellevue Place. The museum offers several educational programs and events throughout the year.
Labor & Industry MuseumBelleville
The Labor & Industry Museum, is based in the Conrad Bornman House on historic Church Street in Belleville. This 1837 building, rescued from the wrecking ball by the Belleville Historic Preservation Commission, was a witness to the enormous development of the 19th-century industry. The building, which has undergone an extensive renovation, houses permanent and special exhibition galleries, as well as an educational center and archives. See industry exhibits ranging from casting and machining to glass-making, brewing, brick-making, and stencil-making. The museum's collection includes 1,073 historical objects. Take a step back in time and see how southwestern Illinois was built.
Bishop Hill State Historic SiteBishop Hill
We invite you to taste the history of this once-bustling 19th century settlement. Sample our fascinating museum, quaint eateries, unique gift shops, and art galleries. Peek into the past at our seasonal festivals and holiday celebrations. Spend hours or days here with family & friends. Renew your spirit in this peaceful prairie retreat.
McLean County Arts CenterBloomington
One of the oldest, community-based, non-profit, art organizations in the midwest. Our mission is to support and encourage the visual arts in McLean County. MCAC features 12 exhibitions yearly, which include the works of local, regional and nationally known artists. MCAC offers classes for children and adults that include painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, jewelry, art history, appreciation and printmaking. MCAC performs a vital function in our community by encouraging and promoting the work of local artists.
Prairie Aviation MuseumBloomington
Exists to collect, preserve, and display aircraft and related items, keeping alive the story of flight, and to have visitors feel educated, entertained, and inspired. Exhibits include 9 aircraft and 2 helicopters, as well as three jet engines. Group tours are available with advance registration.
McLean County Museum of HistoryBloomington
A nationally accredited award-winning museum with five permanent exhibit galleries and two rotating galleries. This educational institution is dedicated to telling the rich story of McLean County through programs that serve people of all ages. The museum features seven exhibit galleries, preserves more than 18,000 objects, makes available more than 15,000 rare and hard-to-find books on local history and genealogy, and manages 2,000 feet of historical papers and images in its archives.
Millers Park ZooBloomington
Featured exhibits include the Tropical America Rainforest, ZooLab, Katthoefer Animal Building, Wallaby WalkAbout, Children's Zoo and Animals of Asia.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center NatureBolingbrook
Hidden Oaks Conservation area ensures that visitors of all ages and backgrounds have opportunities to connect with nature. Through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, Hidden Oaks Nature Center inspires curiosity and exploration of the natural world in guests of all ages. Whether hitting the trails, participating in innovative nature programs, coming out for a special event, or joining our summer/winter camps, there's something for everyone at Hidden Oaks.
Exploration StationBourbonnais
Exploration Station is a hands-on exploration and discovery museum for children and their families, teachers and other caregivers. Children of all ages are welcome at the museum, however, the majority of the exhibits are designed for children between the ages of 2-8 years old. There is a toddler area for the little ones, children 36" and under are allowed in the toddler area.
Bourbonnais Grove Historical SocietyBourbonnais
Visit the George R. Letourneau Home Museum, built in 1852, and displaying many artifacts from Bourbonnais' past. The museum campus also includes a log structure built in 1837, that was Bourbonnais Grove's first school and a meeting place for Methodist circuit riders.
Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife AreaBraceville
Mazonia is well known for Pennsylvanian-age fossils. A day permit is required to collect fossils and may be obtained from the park office or website. A reporting form also is available for reporting what was found. Excavations and collecting for commercial purposes are prohibited. In addition, fossil collecting is restricted to March 1 to September 30.
Brookfield ZooBrookfield
Brookfield Zoo has had an international reputation for taking a cutting-edge role in animal care and conservation. The primary goal of the zoo is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.
Cairo Custom HouseCairo
Constructed in 1872 this historic building once housed a post office, a courtroom, and other government agencies. Today the building contains a museum exhibiting local memorabilia.
Southern Illinois University MuseumCarbondale
The University Museum serves Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the greater Southern Illinois community and beyond as a steward of the past and a gateway to the future. We collect, preserve, research, display and educate using a diverse and engaging range of artifacts and objects and educational methods. The Museum illuminates the local and world connections behind the arts, humanities, and sciences. As a teaching museum, we offer hands-on opportunities in progressive museum practices and provide leadership to museum across the region.
Krannert Art MuseumChampaign
Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion is a catalyst in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the extended community to support interdisciplinary collaboration and the synthesis of knowledge for the benefit of current and future generations. The museum is a cultural destination and a virtual presence that strives to enrich the human experience by inviting visitors to make connections through the visual arts between the past and present, between what is understood and what is unknown.
Champaign Country Historical MuseumChampaign
The museum features three rotating exhibit rooms and several smaller exhibit areas. The museum strives to use our artifact collection to bring the stories of Champaign County alive in unique and engaging ways.
Channahon State ParkChannahon
Channahon State Park is the official trailhead for the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail. Channahon is an Indian word meaning "the meeting of the waters" and signifies the joining of the DuPage, Des Plaines and Kankakee Rivers. An Interpreter is on site four days a week to provide information on the restored Locks 6 & 7 and the locktender's house. Public programs and tours are available as well as organized group and school group programs.
Piney Creek Ravine State Natural AreaChester
Piney Creek Ravine is a dedicated state Nature Preserve. Piney Creek Ravine contains the largest body of prehistoric rock art in Illinois.
Shedd AquariumChicago
Shedd Aquarium offers exhibits that allow you to explore the world’s oceans, lakes, rivers, and reefs. The aquarium's programs also include animal encounters, virtual reality, 4-D experiences, and more.
eta Creative Arts FoundationChicago
Provides training and performance opportunities for youth and adults on Chicago's South Side. eta has become one of Chicago's leading performing arts organizations in the Black community, with a commitment to the production of new works and the development of individual artists. eta houses a 200-seat theater, art studio, and event space with stage. Annual programming features five plays, 8-week Summer Arts camp for the youth, Multiple pop-up workshops, acting, dance, and playwriting classes for young adults, and a host of community events and performances!
Art Institute of ChicagoChicago
With free admission for kids under 14 and Chicago teens under 18, the Art Institute is the perfect place for a creative outing with the whole family. The museum has many galleries and a learning center, as well as educational programs.
Ukrainian Institute for Modern ArtChicago
To leave home and start a new life in an unfamiliar place is at the core of the immigrant experience. For the artist, there is much to process--new cultures, colors, forms, sensations, and environments, all different from those left behind. New roots form atop old ones, and the past never strays far from reach. Since the beginning of the 20th century, more than five million Ukrainians have emigrated from their homes in Ukraine, Poland, and Russia to settle abroad. Then, as now, artists have been among the most vibrant and vital figures of emigre society. The permanent collection of the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art traces their experience.
National Vietnam Veterans Art MuseumChicago
The National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum inspires greater understanding of the real impact of war with a focus on Vietnam. The museum collects, preserves and exhibits art inspired by combat and created by veterans.
DePaul University Art MuseumChicago
DePaul Art Museum (DPAM) is a world-class museum located in the heart of Lincoln Park on DePaul University’s campus. DPAM is open to the public and presents three to five temporary exhibitions per year with a permanent collection of more than 4,000 objects with strengths in international modern and contemporary art.
David and Alfred Smart Museum of ArtChicago
Located on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus, the Smart Museum of Art houses a permanent collection of over 10,000 objects, spanning five millennia of both Western and Eastern civilizations. The scope of its permanent collections, combined with groundbreaking special exhibitions, a focus on research and teaching by University of Chicago scholars, and distinguished outreach and educational programs geared to both adults and school age children, make the Smart one of the Midwest's most dynamic and innovative educational institutions in the visual arts.
Museum of Contemporary Art ChicagoChicago
One of the nation's largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) offers exhibitions of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945. The MCA documents contemporary visual culture through painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the MCA boasts a gift store, bookstore, restaurant, 300-seat theater, and a terraced sculpture garden with a great view of Lake Michigan.
Loyola University Museum of ArtChicago
The Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) is dedicated to the exploration of the spiritual in art. The Museum’s Martin D’Arcy, S.J. Collection is one of the finest collections of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art in the Midwest. Changing exhibitions highlight world faiths and other forms of spirituality. LUMA is located in the historic Lewis Towers on the Magnificent Mile, the heart of Chicago’s cultural and shopping district.
Terra Foundation for American ArtChicago
The Terra Foundation for American Art is dedicated to fostering exploration, understanding, and enjoyment of the visual arts of the United States for national and international audiences. Recognizing the importance of experiencing original works of art, the foundation provides opportunities for interaction and study, beginning with the presentation and growth of its own art collection in Chicago. To further cross-cultural dialogue on American art, the foundation supports and collaborates on innovative exhibitions, research, and educational programs. The Terra Foundation collection of American art includes over 750 paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, and sculptures by 242 artists.
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater ChicagoChicago
A place where children ages birth to 8 are Learning to Grow! Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago is a hands-on learning laboratory for children ages birth to 8. All of our exhibits and programs are aligned to the Illinois State Learning Standards and are designed to make learning fun and interesting for young children.
Chicago Children's MuseumChicago
Chicago Children's Museum's mission is to create a community where play and learning connect. The museum's primary audience is children up through the fifth grade including their families, along with the school and community groups that support and influence children's growth and development. The museum also offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and college internships. Fifteen permanent exhibits and programming spaces provide innovative learning experiences for children and their caregivers.
WhirlyballChicago
WhirlyBall is the most fun you can have going 4 miles an hour! WhirlyBall combines lacrosse, hockey, basketball, and bumper cars in a game of skill coupled with a touch of chance. We also have Lasertag and Bowling at our venue in Chicago.
360 CHICAGO Observation DeckChicago
Soaring 1,000 feet over legendary Michigan Avenue is one of the city's most unique attractions:360 CHICAGO. Located on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, 360 CHICAGO offers breathtaking views of Chicago's skyline, lakefront and four neighboring states. It's also the only place you can enjoy TILT; Chicago's highest moving experience. This one-of-a-kind marvel tilts guests out from the 94th floor providing the most thrilling views of the city. Included in admission are our interactive learning displays, construction exhibit, and Sky School!
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy MuseumChicago
Take a spin around the Universe and dive into the latest space science discoveries. The Adler Planetarium seeks to inspire the next generation of explorers and scientists. The Adler's array of educational offerings -- from interactive demonstrations to graduate level coursework--are designed to equip participants with the skills and desire to learn more about our Universe.
Field MuseumChicago
The Field Museum was founded to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. These objects form the core of the Museum's collections which have grown through world-wide expeditions, exchange, purchase, and gifts to more than twenty million specimens.
Chicago History MuseumChicago
Stands at the crossroads of America's past and its future. If you live in Chicago or visit here and are curious about the city's past, present, and future, the Museum should be your first stop.
Goodman TheatreChicago
Established in 1925, Goodman Theatre has been a part of life in Chicago for over 80 years. Every season, the Goodman presents the work of an extraordinary group of local, national and international artists.
Ukrainian National MuseumChicago
The folk art collection, with more than 10,000 objects, is one of the most important collections outside of Ukraine. It features wedding and festive attire from various regions of Ukraine, ritual cloths (rushnyky) and kylyms, and a broad selection of richly embroidered and woven textiles. This unique collection also includes ceramics, metalwork, and decorative wood-carved objects from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Museum holds an impressive collection of pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter eggs. The fine arts collection consists of some 500 paintings, drawings, graphic works, and sculptures by noted Ukrainian artists who worked in Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and elsewhere, primarily in the 20th century.
Sears Tower SkydeckChicago
The 99th floor Skydeck offers spectacular views spanning up to 50 miles and 4 states! Explore Chicago top to bottom......and from yesterday to today. Voted one of the 7 Wonders of Chicago by Chicago Tribune Readers. Chicago's most visited and highest observatory. You haven't seen Chicago until you've seen it from the Sears Tower Skydeck. The best view of Chicago and beyond from the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. Interactive displays highlight the character and characters of this great city. Knee High attractions for kids.
Chicago AthenaeumChicago
An International Museum of Architecture and Design, appropriately based in the world's first city of modern architecture and design - Chicago. Founded in 1988, the Museum is dedicated to the Art of Design in all areas of the discipline: architecture, industrial, and product design, graphics, and urban planning. The Museum's mission is the advancement of public education about the value of Good Design - from the "spoon to the city" - and how design can positively impact the human environment.
Garfield Park ConservatoryChicago
Visit the Conservatory, one of the largest botanical conservatories in the world and participate in a number of special events and activities! Reservations are required to enter. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Same-day reservations are prioritized for Garfield Park & West Side neighbors and members, if available.
The Renaissance SocietyChicago
For visitors, we offer opportunities to engage deeply with art and artists who provide critical responses to our present moment. All exhibitions and events are free to attend. Visitors to the Ren find a uniquely intimate platform for encountering artistic expressions that give form to, challenge, and complicate currents in contemporary thought. Events—including artist talks, lectures, screenings, concerts, readings, and more—offer further opportunities for discovery and discussion.
Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian CultureChicago
Today, Chicago is home to the largest Lithuania community outside Lithuania and is sister-cities to Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital. The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture was founded in 1966 during the height of the Cold War when Lithuania was subsumed into the Soviet Union and cut off from the rest of the world. Concerned about the plight of their ancestral land, leaders of Chicago’s Lithuanian community established the Museum to serve as a cultural ‘home away from the homeland’ for Chicago Lithuanians and a gateway to Lithuania, its language, history, culture, and traditions for all Chicagoans.
DuSable Museum of African American HistoryChicago
Developed to preserve and interpret the experiences and achievements of people of African descent, it is dedicated to the collection, documentation, preservation and study of the history and culture of Africans and African Americans. The DuSable Museum is proud of its diverse holdings that number more than 15,000 pieces and include paintings, sculpture, print works and historical memorabilia. Special exhibitions, workshops and lectures are featured to highlight works by specific artists, historic events or collections on loan from individuals or institutions.
Hellenic Museum and Cultural CenterChicago
"The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) is a public history museum whose mission is to share Greek history, art, and culture, and preserve the Greek American story. Through its collection and archives of more than 10,000 artifacts and oral histories, exhibitions, educational programs, and events, the Museum makes relevant connections to the Hellenic legacy for its audiences. Artifacts, replicas, and recorded histories are used in dynamic programming to teach skills such as critical thinking, researching, writing, and interviewing. Students gain appreciation for the arts, sciences, and humanities from lessons learned across thousands of years of Greek history. The Museum’s educational programs are professionally designed and delivered for all ages, and museum educators use dialogue, storytelling, and artifacts to cultivate a dynamic and fun learning environment. All NHM school programs and field trips are hands-on and meet state learning standards."
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, ChicagoChicago
Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, one of the largest science museum in the world, is home to more than 35,000 artifacts and nearly 14 acres of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.
National Italian American Sports Hall of FameChicago
Located in Chicago's historic "Little Italy" neighborhood, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame began in 1977, when George Randazzo founded the Italian American Boxing Hall of Fame as a way to raise money for a struggling local Catholic youth program. There are now over 270 inductees enshrined in the Hall of Fame. In 41 years, the collection of sports memorabilia the Hall has amassed is second to none. The priceless artifacts include Mario Andretti’s Indy 500 racecar, Rocky Marciano’s first heavyweight championship belt, Vince Lombardi’s last coat worn as coach of the Green Bay Packers, and swimmer Matt Biondi’s Olympic Gold Medals.
Museum of Broadcast CommunicationsChicago
Preserving History and protecting the Environment. The only museum dedicated to broadcast history in the nation and home to America's only National Radio Hall of Fame.
SpertusChicago
Spertus is a Jewish institution grounded in Jewish values that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the multi-faceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths, locally, regionally and around the world.
Swedish American Museum CenterChicago
The Brunk Children's Museum of Immigration is an interactive, hands-on museum for children ages 3-12. The facility is on the third floor of the Swedish American Museum Center and offers children the chance to experience the immigration phenomenon firsthand. They will engage in a myriad of historical tasks in a century-old Swedish farmhouse, or stuga, replicated in authentic detail. A 20-foot immigrant steamer will take them to America, where they will learn about life in a pioneer log cabin. A Viking ship and a refugees' raft enhance the immigration story, past and present.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumChicago
The Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum inspire people to learn about and care for nature and the environment. The Academy improves quality of life in Chicago and the region by delivering superior environmental and science education programs to students and teachers, by offering Museum exhibitions and conducting public programs that foster green living, and by restoring local ecosystems and advancing scientific knowledge through collections and research.
Jane Addams Hull-House MuseumChicago
The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, owned and operated by the University of Illinois at Chicago, is a historic site and memorial to Jane Addams, her innovative settlement house programs and associates, and the neighborhood they served. Housed in two original Hull-House buildings, the museum is an internationally recognized symbol of multicultural understanding, reflecting the long Hull-House tradition of social service and reform, educational innovation, and urban research.
Institute for the Study of Ancient CulturesChicago
With some 350,000 artifacts, excavated mainly by ISAC archaeologists, the ISAC Museum invites you to learn about the beginnings of our lives as humans together. Through galleries devoted to Egypt, Nubia, Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Anatolia, and the Levant, come take a look into the ancient past.
Woman Made GalleryChicago
Woman Made Gallery is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992. Its goal is to support women in the arts by providing opportunities, awareness, and advocacy. It specifically accomplishes this through monthly thematic exhibitions which raise public awareness and recognition of women's cultural contributions.
International Museum of Surgical ScienceChicago
Explore the history of surgery through the eyes of doctors, artists, and historians. The Museum's collections portray the mysteries and milestones that have shaped modern surgical science. Exhibits on surgery and its related science include, Anesthesia, Radiology, Orthopedics, Urology, Cardiology, and Ophthalmology, as well as the surgical history of various countries, give visitors a well-rounded sense of medical history.
Lincoln Park ZooChicago
Lincoln Park Zoo is located in the shadow of Chicago skyscrapers. Visit wildlife while the Sears Tower hovers in the distance. This zoo is free to the public and open 365 days a year.
Raging Waves WaterparkChicago
Whether a company event, church group, or rewarding employees with individual use tickets; Illinois' Largest Waterpark is the perfect place for your summer event!
Italian Cultural Institute of ChicagoChicago
"The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago is the cultural office of the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago. Founded in 1985, the Institute is one of six cultural agencies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the United States. It is located in the heart of Chicago along the Magnificent Mile. The Institute serves as a source of information on Italian life and culture and showcases Italy's classical and contemporary heritage with particular reference to art, music, cinema, design, architecture, literature, fashion, theater, cuisine, science and technology."
Dewitt County MuseumClinton
Discover the connection between C.H. Moore and Abe Lincoln.
Cahokia MoundsCollinsville
One of the greatest cities of the world, Cahokia was larger than London was in AD 1250. The Mississippians who lived here were accomplished builders who erected a wide variety of structures from practical homes for everyday living to monumental public works that have maintained their grandeur for centuries. Cahokia Mounds offers special events year-round. With such a variety of events from fine art shows to craft workshops, there's something for everyone. Museum exhibits and gallery will remain closed for most of 2025 due to renovations. The grounds are open daily, and guided tours are available with advance request.
Cernal Earth and Science Center PlanetariumCook County
The Cernan Earth and Space Center welcomes homeschoolers to attend their programs within a group or as individual families. There are programs for all ages of students covering astronomy, geology, biology, ecology, history, and engineering. They are pleased to work with you to find a program to fit your needs as a homeschooler.
Vermilion County War MuseumDanville
The Vermilion County War Museum is located in Danville, IL original public library building. Constructed in 1903, The Illinois war museum displays memorabilia and artifacts from the Revolutionary War to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Children's Museum of IllinoisDecatur
A hands-on, interactive museum for children ages two to ten! With over sixty exhibits and activities that simulate real-world scenarios, connecting children with familiar experiences and contexts designed to highlight and encourage healthy habits and critical thinking.
Hieronymus Mueller MuseumDecatur
In 1892, German immigrant Hieronymus Mueller received a patent for a water pressure regulator that is still the industry standard, and has played a large role in the Panama Canal to protect the locks. The Hieronymus Mueller Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Hieronymus Mueller, his family, and the company he founded. It also promotes an understanding and appreciation of this history and its association with local, regional, and national events. Group rates are available with advance booking.
The Macon County History MuseumDecatur
The Macon County History Museum offers tour opportunities for students of "all ages" to learn more about the history of Decatur and Macon County. As the only official "Looking For Lincoln" Coalition Site in Macon County, the Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the area's rich Lincoln Heritage while watching a short video about that heritage in the Abraham Lincoln Theater. Abraham Lincoln and his family made Macon County their first home in Illinois after arriving from Indiana 1830, with Lincoln giving his first political speech in Decatur, as well as practicing law in Macon County's first two courthouses. The story of Lincoln's life in Decatur and Macon County is chronicled in several informative exhibits, with visitors being able to tour the Lincoln Log Courthouse located in the Museum's Prairie Village Complex where Lincoln participated in numerous legal cases that was used in Macon County in the late 1830's.
Scovill ZooDecatur
Scovill Zoo's education programs offer opportunities designed to help animal lovers of all ages explore and discover the animal kingdom through unique and innovative experiences. From our Zoo Academy to our Mobile Zoo, our education programs provide fun, hands-on connections to the animal world. While you are here, take a spin on Scovill Zoo's beautiful Endangered Species Carousel! Specially designed for Scovill Zoo, the carousel is unique to Central Illinois. It features 30 colorful, hand-carved wooden animals, representing protected and endangered species from across the globe.
Ellwood House MuseumDeKalb
Ellwood House, a grand Victorian mansion, is located in a lovely park in the heart of DeKalb, Illinois. Inside, crystal chandeliers sparkle, gilt mirrors shine, and antique woodwork gleams. A visit to this elegant home brings the past to life! Built by barbed wire millionaire Isaac L. Ellwood in 1879, the mansion remains with its original furnishings just as when the Ellwood family lived there decades ago. Experience a by-gone era as you tour the great English living room with its vast stone fireplace, the mahogany-panelled dining room, and the magnificent rotunda with a three-story spiral staircase. The many restored bedrooms, servants rooms, and service areas provide a glimpse of a complete household at the turn of the twentieth century.
Des Plaines Historical SocietyDes Plaines
The Des Plaines History Center collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Des Plaines and its people, highlighting Des Plaines' rich historical and cultural heritage with rotating history and art exhibits. The History Center is also home to the beautiful and historic Kinder House, a 1907 Victorian home open daily for tours, as well as a slate of entertaining, hands-on programs for people of all ages and abilities that encourage guests to explore history in an entirely new way.
Polish Museum of AmericaDes Plaines
The Polish Museum of America, founded in 1935, is one of the oldest and largest ethnic museum in the United States of America. Located in the heart of the first Polish neighborhood in Chicago, it promotes the knowledge of Polish history and culture, especially promulgates Polish and Polish American art in its paintings, sculptures, drawings and lithographs by well-known artists.
National Great Rivers Research & Education CenterEast Alton
The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center studies the ecology of large rivers and their watersheds. The Education and Outreach programs aim to create a more informed citizenry about large river systems and ultimately lead to a more sustainable use of this vital resource. The Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station is strategically located near the confluences of the Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi Rivers. The 32,000-square-foot research facility contains laboratories, classrooms, hydrologic and wildlife laboratories, and riverside access.
National Great Rivers Museum, Lock & DamEast Alton
Free, public tours of the locks and dam are available daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. (tours begin promptly). Tours last 45 minutes. Public tours are limited to 25 participants. Therefore, groups of 10 or more individuals should call the Alton Visitor Center at 1-800-258-6645 to schedule a tour outside of public tour times. Please allow at least 1 1/2 hours to visit both the museum and locks and dam. School/children groups require at least one adult chaperone per 10 students. Student activity sheets are available.
Santa's VillageEast Dundee
Santa's Village is the perfect field trip. Education Day is held in the spring and fall, and they also offer group special days on any operating calendar day. The park features 24 rides, animal attractions, live entertainment, games, and plenty of fun foods. They offer educational-based field trips, back-of-house tours, and much more.
Elgin Public MuseumElgin
Elgin Public Museum is the only natural history museum in the Fox Valley area. The museum offers exhibits and educational programs with natural history and cultural themes for families, school groups, scouts, clubs, organizations, homeschoolers, and anyone who wants to have fun while learning!
Elgin MuseumElgin
The Museum is housed in an 1856 landmark building known as Old Main that was once part of the Elgin Academy. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Through permanent and changing exhibits, the museum brings to life Elgin's rich heritage. Permanent exhibits include Elgin National Watch Company, the E. Maude and Carl Parlasca Native American Collection, and Elgin Road Race memorabilia.
Elmhurst Art MuseumElmhurst
The Elmhurst Art Museum is the cultural center of DuPage County, Illinois. Specializing in late 20th Century American Art, its award winning building was designed around McCormick House, one of only three Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed residences built in the United States and the first such residence in the U.S. to be reconceived as part of a regional art museum.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary ArtElmhurst
The Lizzadro Museum displays gemstone treasures created by ancient craftsmen as well as by contemporary artists. The building itself is a gem, designed to resemble a jewel box in a park setting.
Elmhurst Historical MuseumElmhurst
Elmhurst Historical Museum offers extensive resources for authors, researchers, residents, and students to discover more about Elmhurst history. The Elmhurst History Museum welcomes school groups, summer camps, and other groups to the museum by appointment on weekdays.
Theatre Historical Society of AmericaElmhurst
THSA is the only organization in the U.S. which exclusively records and preserves the rich architectural, cultural and social history of America's theatres. THSA is on the second floor of the York Theatre building. The Society also operates the following, located there: The American Theatre Architecture Archives, which contains an extensive collection of photographs, slides, negatives, books, blueprints, clippings, videos, printed programs, and other material on historic theatres, primarily in the U.S. The American Movie Palace Museum, featuring exhibits of photographs, artworks, antiques, artifacts, and other memorabilia relating primarily to the "golden age of the movie palace."
Mary and Leigh Block Museum of ArtEvanston
The Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, is the fine arts museum of Chicago's North Shore, offering focused visual arts programming for the Northwestern University community and the greater Chicago area. The Museum holds several exhibitions a year, organizes numerous lectures, symposia, and workshops with artists and scholars, and screens classic and contemporary films at Block Cinema. Their expanding permanent collection -- consisting primarily of works on paper -- distinguishes the Museum as an important repository of original works of art.
Frances Willard HouseEvanston
Willard's reform efforts helped transform the lives of women in nineteenth-century America. She became the first female president of the Evanston College for Ladies in 1871. When the college merged with Northwestern University, Willard became the first Dean of Women and Professor of Aesthetics. In 1873, she helped found the Association for the Advancement of Women. In 1874, she was secretary of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and five years later in 1879, she became its president. In 1883, she founded the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WWCTU). The Rest Cottage and its furnishings remain as they were before Willard's death on February 18, 1898. The Willard House is both an Evanston Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
Evanston History CenterEvanston
The Evanston History Center collects, preserves and shares Evanston history to educate, inspire and enrich the people of Evanston. Exhibits include a concise and comprehensive look at the prolific accomplishments of Charles Dawes, including his Nobel Peace Prize certificate, countless photographs, memorabilia, and film clips from his public and private appearances.
Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations MuseumEvanston
Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum (formerly Mitchell Museum of the American Indian) is the only museum in the Chicagoland area that focuses exclusively on the history, culture, and arts of the North American native people. The Museum's collections range from the Paleo-Indian period through the present day. Permanent exhibitions depict the Native American cultures of the Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, Northwest Coast, and Arctic.
Stephenson County Historical SocietyFreeport
The Stephenson County Historical Society Museum is located on a three-acre arboretum planted with many beautiful trees and gardens. Four buildings on the campus are open for tour year-round:
- The 1857 Taylor House
- 1920s Millerburg One-Room Schoolhouse
- Pre-1850 Irish Homestead Log Cabin
- National Museum of Arcade Cast Iron Toys & Industrial Museum
Galena & U.S. Grant MuseumGalena
Discover captivating exhibits that showcase the life and legacy of Ulysses S. Grant, along with the rich heritage of Galena. As you explore our museum, you’ll uncover fascinating artifacts, engaging displays, and stories that shaped a nation.
Ulysses S. Grant HomeGalena
On August 18, 1865, Galena celebrated the return of its Civil War hero General Ulysses S. Grant. Following a jubilant procession with much flag waving and speeches, a group of Galena citizens presented the General with a handsomely furnished house on Bouthillier Street. From his election as President in 1868 to his final visit in 1880, Grant visited only occasionally, but he claimed the home as his residence, and the house was maintained by caretakers and ready for occupation at any time. In 1955, the house was restored to its 1868 condition, using an 1868 newspaper for reference. The house is managed by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as the U.S. Grant Home State Historic Site.
Galesburg Railroad MuseumGalesburg
Railroad memorabilia housed in a Pullman parlor car and a collection of restored railroad cars that include a steam engine, postal and express agency and caboose.
Galesburg City ToursGalesburg
Our Illinois Social Science Standards curriculum-centered tours offer immersive, place-based learning experiences that cultivate & foster • students' knowledge, • a deep appreciation for local history, and • a sense of belonging within the vibrant tapestry of the Galesburg community and its rich historical heritage. Our tours serve as a dynamic platform for experiential learning, allowing students in grades 2-8 to engage firsthand with the sites, statues, streets, and structures, while also hearing captivating stories of the citizens, that shaped the cultural fabric of Galesburg. We offer 2 tour packages: The Iconic City History Tour and the Food & History Walking Tour. Contact us at 309.204.0844 for availability, minimums, discounts, and more.
Peck Farm ParkGeneva
Peck Farm Park features 365 acres of restored prairie with walking trails for walking, biking, and hiking. Visitors can also enjoy a sensory garden, observation silo, outdoor amphitheater, seasonal Butterfly House, History Gallery, Nature Center and play ground. Peck Farm Park would also like to offer Homeschool specific programs on flora and fauna of the prairie, ecosystems, rocks, birding, amphibians and so much more.
Chicago Botanic GardenGlencoe
The Chicago Botanic Garden has 385 acres of nature, beauty, and respite to discover. Try one of their seasonal walks, let your kids roll down the hills of the Nature Play Garden, or explore what’s in bloom. Plan ahead and get the best admission pricing or learn about free admission opportunities on their website.
Glencoe Historical SocietyGlencoe
Promotes an understanding of Glencoe's history and heritage through programs, exhibits, activities, and events that highlight its archival resource collection.
Historic Wagner FarmGlenview
Step back in time to farm life from decades past. The 18.6 acre Historic Wagner Farm is one of the last working dairy farms in Cook County and is open to the public for recreation and learning. The farm provides a unique opportunity for families to learn about our farming heritage and experience first-hand "the way things used to be."
Pere Marquette State ParkGrafton
The park is famous the exceptional colors in the fall and for its winter bald eagles. Free guided hikes to the different scenic areas on the park are available to be scheduled for any group size. If interested in organizing one, call the visitor center to schedule. Schools and Scout groups may arrange reservations for a guided hike on the park's history and geology to McAdams Peak and Twin Mounds Peak.
Grayslake Historical SocietyGrayslake
The award-winning exhibit Embracing Change: the Growth of Grayslake is in the permanent gallery. Using graphics, photos, text, and original artifacts, the story of Grayslake is told. The story begins with the prairie, trees, and lakes attracting pioneers who farm. The coming of the train brings businesses. School and churches are formed. Factories provide employment. Residents and visitors enjoy the lake. Police and firemen give protection. This story is told in a room that was once a one-room schoolhouse, a room, which is still educating people today. A unique feature of this exhibit is the four scent stations. The museum also features two galleries with rotating exhibits, as well as the original candy counter from the town's old 5 & 10 store.
Wildlife Prairie ParkHanna City
Wildlife Prairie State Park is a zoological park that contains 50 different species of animal native to Illinois. Visitors learn about wolves, bison, waterfowl, black bears, elk, cougar, otter and much more. The park offers hiking, biking, fishing, and lodging, and a train ride.
Saline Creek Pioneer Village and MuseumHarrisburg
The Pioneer Village represents a pioneer settlement of the era 1800 to 1840. It contains a Blockhouse, a saddle bag cabin, a barn with a threshing floor (one of the few remaining in the United States), a post office, a school, a Quaker Church, a jail, and a regular cabin. Using authentic cabins of the era, the village was re-created by John Allen the noted author of the book Legends and Lore of Southern Illinois.
Lewis & Clark State Historic SiteHartford
Walk in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they plan their journey to explore the western United States in 1804 at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, IL. As National Trail Site #1 on the Lewis & Clark Trail, the site houses a museum dedicated to the planning and journey of the two explorers and their Corps of Discovery. Located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the site showcases how common men became soldiers and then embarked on a military expedition to explore uncharted territory west of St. Louis.
Putnam County Historical Society - Agricultural MuseumHennepin
The home of antique farm equipment, a permanent exhibit on the history of corn in the United States, a permanent exhibit on the Illinois River and area wildlife and many other exhibits too numerous to mention. While no regular hours have been established, the museum is available by appointment and at least once a year in August for our annual open house.
Putnam County Historical Society - Agricultural Museum website
Volo Bog State Natural AreaIngleside
Volo Bog State Natural Area offers year-round programs for individuals and groups. Guided one-hour tours of Volo Bog are held most Saturdays and Sundays at 11 am & 1 pm for individuals, families, and small groups. Groups of 10 or more can make arrangements for a private group tour. Seventeen different youth programs are offered for groups of 10 or more students. Adults count in the 10, but children younger than the minimum age do not. School classes, youth groups, home school families, or simply a group of friends, can arrange for a program. Guided bog tours are adapted to a variety of grade levels, beginning with second grade. Each level has its own specific, age-appropriate Activity Guide developed to help students prepare for their trip in school, BEFORE they arrive.
Pilcher Park Nature CenterJoliet
Pilcher Park Nature Center offers 18 field trips based on science and history. The goal of the park is to bring science and history alive in through hikes and hands-on activities. Programs cover topics including maple syrup, geology, trees, the Underground Railroad, wilderness survival, pond study, and much more. All field trips meet current state learning standards. Offers field trips year-round with special events for the general public. Programs last from one to four hours.
Joliet Area Historical MuseumJoliet
Your visit to the Joliet Area Historical Museum is a journey through time. Here you will experience how people lived, worked, traveled and built the foundation for today's thriving community. Walk through a life-size replica depicting the building of the historic Illinois Michigan Canal. Stroll down a turn-of-the-century street past store fronts showcasing fashions of yesteryear. Browse through a hardware store. Take a virtual ride on a replica trolley. Along the way, meet life-size models, interact with touch-screen visuals, view award-winning audio-visuals and learn how the past shaped the world you now enjoy.
Ingrams Pioneer Log Cabin VillageKinmundy
Ingram's Pioneer Log Cabin Village offers you the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely walk along the streets of the Log Cabin Village and be transported back in time to a pre-civil war era. Visit log cabins built from 1818-1860.
Garfield Farm and Inn MuseumLaFox
The museum offers a variety of educational, family, and entertainment events. Seminars are held on such topics as prairie, woodlands, and wetlands management; bat and bluebird box construction; and fruit tree grafting. Special shows bring rare breed livestock, heirloom garden products and seeds, and collections of antique farm tools. Prairie walks are conducted monthly. And there are social events like barn dances and a candlelight tavern reception at the Inn in December.
The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts: Arts Education SeriesLebanon
The Hett is pleased to present a wide variety of professional touring companies programmed specifically for K-12. The Arts Education Series offers daytime performances for students and exposes them to the transformational power of the arts. Attendance to any of these performances help students meet Illinois Arts Learning Standards by responding and connecting to the arts. The Arts Education Series offers programs for all ages.
The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts: Arts Education Series website
Argonne Information CenterLemont
Argonne welcomes all members of the public age 13 or older to take guided tours of our scientific and engineering facilities and grounds. For children under 13, Argonne offers a range of hands-on learning activities suitable for K-12 field trips and scout outings.
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic SiteLerna
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is an 86-acre working historic farm, and a part of the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. This site preserves the 19th-century home of Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln, father and step-mother of our 16th president. Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer living in Springfield by the time his parents moved here, but his burgeoning law practice often brought him to Charleston and the farm, especially during the 1840s. Abraham Lincoln also owned a portion of the farm which he deeded back to his father and step-mother for their use during their lifetime.
Dickson Mounds MuseumLewistown
The Dickson Mounds Museum, a branch of the Illinois State Museum and a National Historic Site, is one of the major on-site archaeological museum in the United States. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the world of the American Indian in an awe inspiring journey through 12,000 years of human experience in the Illinois River Valley. Visitors to the museum, in west-central Illinois, encounter innovative interpretive exhibits; exciting hands-on activities; archaeological sites; and a variety of special events in a rural setting.
Bess Bower Dunn MuseumLibertyville
Bess Bower Dunn Museum (formerly Lake County Discovery Museum) offers field trips, in-school programs, and virtual programs available throughout the year. Topics include a large variety of environmental and history education options that support Illinois Learning Standards. They also have self-guided options, and a variety of opportunities including hands-on workshops, storytelling, lectures, and seasonal events.
Lincoln Heritage Museum (LHM)Lincoln
Every second Tuesday of the month the Lincoln Heritage Museum offers discounted admission ($4) and a mini field trip experience to homeschool families. The field trip experience consists of an interactive tour through Abraham Lincoln's life, 19th century games and educational activities including stump speech writing and scavenger hunts. The Lincoln Heritage Museum allows visitors to appreciate the incredible life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln, particularly as it pertained to Illinois. Please call ahead if you have more than 10 people in your group.
Scrims Esports Gaming CenterLisle
Scrims Esports Gaming Center features 60 high-end gaming PCs in a fully networked LAN center. Field Trips to Scrims Center not only offer video gaming fun, but also allow students to see the connection between STEM education and the fast-growing video gaming industry. Scrims Center staff will provide a tour of our center and the inner workings of our 5TB server, our gaming software, and a hands-on tour of gaming computer hardware as we break one down and put it back together again. And, of course, we round out the visit with a little video gaming fun!
Morton ArboretumLisle
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. Its 1,700 acres hold collections of more than 4,000 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum offers extensive educational programming for all ages, conducts leading research on tree health and tree improvement, breeds and introduces hardy and disease-resistant trees and shrubs for distribution throughout the Midwest, and presents nature-related activities year-round for people of all ages and interests.
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine UniversityLisle
The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University welcomes all visitors to explore over 3,500 specimens from around the world. We promote science education and appreciation of the world's natural and cultural diversity through engaging programs, exhibits, and research. Our offerings focus on zoology, botany, geology, and environmental education. Our museum is open to the public and welcomes all ages and abilities. We offer museum visits, guided tour programs, outreach events, nature walks, and virtual programs. Parking is free on campus. Admission is free and by appointment. Donations are deeply appreciated!
Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University website
Lombard Historical MuseumLombard
The Museum house is original to the site on which it stands. - It was built in the early 1880's, but the interior rooms have been restored to the period of the 1870's. As Lombard was incorporated into a village in 1869, our house epitomizes middle class life of the very first year of the Village of Lombard.
Museum of the Grand PrairieMahomet
Collecting, preserving, and interpreting the natural and cultural history of Champaign County and East Central Illinois. Take a walk through Central Illinois history in The Grand Prairie Story, visit the Champaign County that Abraham Lincoln knew, get your hands on history in the Discovery Area, or as a blacksmith in Blacksmithing on the Prairie exhibit. In the immersive exhibits, you’ll learn and do! Admission and parking are free. Special program requests and groups with 12 or more patrons are required to arrange visits with staff prior to arrival. Requests for all programs, group visits, and tours must be made at least two weeks in advance.
Giant City State ParkMakanda
Giant City Nature Trail is home to the "Giant City Streets" formed 12,000 years ago by huge bluffs of sandstone. A highlight of Giant City State Park is the Visitor Center, which provides interpretive displays on the geology, plants, animals, and history of the park. Enjoy 10-minute films about the park in the audio-visual room. Seasonal displays from local artists keep the center fresh and interesting for return visits. Past displays have included paints, photography, quilts, carvings and many more.
Mendota Museum & Historical SocietyMendota
The mission of MMHS is to educate - to preserve and to interpret the history of the Mendota area. The MMHS maintains three museums: The Hume-Carnegie Museum exhibits the area's people, industry, and commerce. The Union Depot Railroad Museum showcases the area's railroad history. The Breaking the Prairie Museum and Chapel commemorate the area's agricultural heritage.
Metamora CourthouseMetamora
The Metamora Courthouse was built in 1845 and served as the center of county government until the county seat was moved to Eureka in 1896. It is one of two surviving courthouses on the historic Eighth Judicial Circuit traveled by Abraham Lincoln. In 1978 the Courthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The first floor of the two-story brick structure contains a central hall flanked by two exhibit rooms, one displaying artifacts of early local history, the other with exhibits describing the 1850s court system and Lincoln's life on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. On the second floor, the former courtroom and two small chambers are furnished to represent the era during which Lincoln practiced law. Visitors may take guided tours of the building or view the rooms and exhibits on their own. A ten-minute video history of the building, which includes images and interpretation of the second floor, is available for viewing. The building's first floor is accessible to persons with disabilities, the second floor is not.
Illinois Mennonite Heritage CenterMetamora
Collecting, interpreting, preserving, and sharing artifacts and information relating to the faith and life of Mennonites in Illinois.
Fort Massac State ParkMetropolis
Fort Massac State Park is a historic site with a replica of the 1802 American fort for which the park is named. The fort area contains two barracks, three block houses, officer quarters, a well, a stockade, and a fraise fence. The site also has the archaeological outline of the 1757 French Fort. Recreations of pioneer life of the 1700s take place during the annual Fort Massac Encampment and several living history weekends each year to bring the past to life, letting you experience it yourself.
John Deere PavilionMoline
The John Deere Pavilion was created as a celebration of the past, present, and future of agribusiness. Interactive exhibits mingle with actual John Deere equipment, creating a unique, hands-on, and climb-on experience for visitors. Admission is free.
Rock Island County Historical SocietyMoline
The Atkinson-Peek house, Carriage House, and Clothes Loft make up the RICHS museums. The museums are open for individual and group tours during the spring and fall open houses or by appointment. Tours are free; donations will be appreciated which help to support the maintenance of the facilities. The Atkinson-Peek house was built in 1877-1878 and contains period furniture dating back to the early 1900s. The existing carriage house was built in 1910 to house the team of driving horses and carriages. Exhibits include horse-drawn harnesses and collars, oxen yokes, and other farming artifacts. RICHS Clothes Loft is home to a large collection of textile items that span from circa 1780 up to the 1970s, including a dress worn to a DAR reception at the White House during Theodore Roosevelt's presidency.
Monticello Railway MuseumMonticello
An all-volunteer organization in central Illinois with an operational railroad yard open to the public. We offer train rides on weekends and holidays from May through October, regardless of weather conditions, as well as a number of special events throughout the year. We also collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit materials and artifacts from throughout the fascinating history of trains and railroading. Come explore our many rail cars and other equipment, and view our museum displays.
Heidecke Lake State Fish & Wildlife AreaMorris
To increase your understanding and appreciation for Goose Lake Prairie, its Visitor Center features nature displays and multi-media presentations. Different programs are presented throughout the year, with a schedule available at the information counter. Groups providing advance notice can arrange videos, lectures, and guided hikes.
International Servant Leader MuseumMorton Grove
The International Servant Leaders Museum in Morton Grove, Illinois, is an inspiring educational venue dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of servant leadership through the stories of impactful individuals throughout history. Welcoming visitors of all ages, the museum offers interactive exhibits and guided tours that encourage critical thinking, compassion, and social responsibility. With a focus on lifelong learning, the museum provides hands-on learning opportunities for school groups, community organizations, and families. Group discounts and customizable tours are available to enhance the experience, making the museum an excellent destination for educational field trips. Complimentary parking, accessibility accommodations, and a welcoming environment ensure a seamless and enriching visit for all.
Wabash County MuseumMt. Carmel
There are currently 17 permanent exhibits and space for one or two rotating exhibits. The Wabash County Museum owns over 1,500 Lone Ranger-related items Group tours available with advance request.
Cedarhurst Center For The ArtsMt. Vernon
Nestled on a 90-acre site in southern Illinois, Cedarhurst celebrates the arts year-round with exciting visual and performing arts programs for the public. Explore rolling meadows and woods, home to Cedarhurst Sculpture Park, the museum's outdoor gallery with over 60 large-scale sculptures. Visit the Mitchell Museum with contemporary art exhibitions in two galleries, including the Children's Gallery. Enjoy works by Mary Cassatt, Maurice Prendergast, Childe Hassam and more, part of the museum's American painting collection acquired by founders John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell.
Mormon Pioneer National Historic TrailMulti-state
70,000 Mormons, led by Brigham Young, traveled from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah between 1846 to 1869 in order to escape religious persecution. "There are a number of ways to enjoy the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, including auto-touring, visiting interpretive sites, hiking, camping, biking or horseback riding along trail segments, and visiting museums and interpretive centers. Depending on which segment you would like to explore, some or all of these activities may be available. Although the word "trail" is used in the name, the Mormon Pioneer NHT is not necessarily a hiking trail. With 1,300 miles of the original route now in the hands of various private and public entities, access to trail segments depends upon the permission of the land owner. Some segments are open to the public for hiking and other means of recreation, while others are not."
Lewis & Clark National Historic TrailMulti-state
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail winds nearly 4,900 miles through the homelands of more than 60 Tribal nations. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean.
Medieval TimesMultiple locations
Exciting, family friendly dinner theater featuring an authentic medieval tournament and feast with jousting knights, and live horses.
General John A. Logan MuseumMurphysboro
John A. Logan's fame did not end with his death -- he would be honored well into the twentieth century as the founder of Memorial Day. It is the mission of the General John A. Logan Museum to use the life and accomplishments of General John A. Logan and his family to educate the general public about the lives of Southern Illinois residents as they accommodated the sociological, political, economic, and technological changes of the nineteenth century.
DuPage Children's MuseumNaperville
DuPage Children's Museum is made up of many different exhibit neighborhoods and has three floors--each one special in its own way. Each neighborhood is packed with exciting ways to explore art, math, science and how they work together in the world. There are also three Young Explorers neighborhoods (adjacent to our other exhibit neighborhoods) designed for children up to 24 months.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving of NapervilleNaperville
Your students will get fired up about math & physics when they see it come to life in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Our STEM educators guide students through an immersive, hands-on experience that consists of an interactive presentation on real-world STEM applications led by STEM Educator, lab activity/immersive experiments (based on grade level), physics demonstrations in the wind tunnel, and one-on-one flying with a certified world-class iFLY flight instructor. It's so much more than a lesson, it's an enriching day of fun and learning that they'll remember the rest of their lives!
Naper SettlementNaperville
"Naper Settlement is an award-winning, outdoor history museum offering visitors 13 acres of educational programs, exhibits, guided tours, and special events. Whether watching the blacksmith at the forge or sitting down for a lesson in our one-room schoolhouse, visitors are immersed in history as they learn about the past and how it relates to the present."
Nauvoo State ParkNauvoo
A house built by Mormons in the 1840s, remodeled by Icarians, and later owned by the Rheinberger family serves as the Nauvoo State Park Museum. The restored home features a wine cellar and a press room, and is the only Nauvoo wine cellar open to the public. This also is the location of Nauvoo's first vineyard, which has been producing grapes since the mid-1800s. The museum itself exhibits artifacts from all periods of Nauvoo's history, from Native American occupation to the introduction of Nauvoo Blue Cheese in the 1930s. The museum is staffed by the Nauvoo Historical Society and is open 1-5 P.M. from May 1 through October 15. The Nauvoo Grape Festival, held annually over Labor Day weekend, coincides with the ripening of the grapes. The festival includes an hour-long program depicting Nauvoo's history. A pageant, which for more than 50 years has paid tribute to two Nauvoo industries, observes an old French rite called "The Wedding of the Wine and Cheese." The festival includes carnivals, entertainment tents, arts and crafts exhibits, flea markets, buckskinners, and car shows.
Children's Discovery Museum (Normal, IL)Normal
Visit the Children's Discovery Museum located in uptown Normal, Illinois. Explore, imagine, create, and play with three floors of amazing hands-on exhibits.
Graue Mill and MuseumOak Brook
After the gristmill opened in April 1852, it ground wheat, corn, and other grains produced by local farmers for 70 years until new methods rendered it obsolete. In 1981 it was recognized as an Illinois Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers — the only gristmill so designated on a national or local level, representative of an important technology and era in the history of America. Programs on milling, spinning, and weaving illustrate life between 1850 and 1860 and the effect mills had on the area’s culture. The mill is open for tours and programs mid-April to mid-November. The restored Frederick Graue House was the 1850s Victorian home of the Graue family. Admission is free.
Children's Museum in Oak LawnOak Lawn
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn has eight interactive exhibits geared for ages 2 to 10 including a puppet theater, a market, a water table and periscopes. There is an "Art Cart" on hand where children can create their own kite and watch it fly around the museum and different themed craft projects each week. Located in a beautiful park setting, there is an outdoor playground and a nearby lake with a "catch and release" fishing program.
Ernest Hemingway Birthplace MuseumOak Park
Explore displays featuring rare photographs of Hemingway, his childhood diary, letters, early writings and other memorabilia. Exhibits and videos at the Museum focus on his first 20 years in Oak Park, and its impact on his later works.
Wonder WorksOak Park
This Childrens' Museum has 6,400 square feet of fun and exploration for kids up to age 10.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and StudioOak Park
The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio served as Wright's private residence and workplace from 1889 to 1909 - the first 20 years of his career. Wright used his home as an architectural laboratory, experimenting with design concepts that contain the seeds of his architectural philosophy. Here he raised six children with his first wife, Catherine Tobin. In 1898, Wright added a studio, described by a fellow architect as a workplace with "inspiration everywhere." In the Studio, Wright and his associates developed a new American architecture: the Prairie style, and designed 125 structures, including such famous buildings as the Robie House, the Larkin Building, and Unity Temple. We invite you to visit and experience the restored site as it appeared in 1909, the last year that Wright lived in the Home and worked in the Studio.
Okawville's Heritage House MuseumOkawville
The Heritage House Museum property, listed as the Frank Schlosser Complex, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, joining the already-listed Original Mineral Springs Hotel and Bathhouse.
Stronghold Camp & Retreat CenterOregon
All ages are welcome. This 360-acre, mostly wooded campus has 6 separate ecosystems providing an excellent outdoor education experience. Our flexible classes give you the program you want and need. The teams' course, high ropes course, and other unique "perceived-limitations" challenges provide your team impressive opportunities to grow together. The on-site Castle provides a story like no other. The Strong Castle is open for tours and classes can be offered on castle culture.
Little White School MuseumOswego
Holds the rich history of the community and reflects the spirit of its early residents. Built as a church in 1850, then used as a one-room school until the mid 1960's, the building is now preserved and maintained by a cooperative agreement between School District 308, the Oswegoland Park District, and the Oswegoland Heritage Association. Open to the public, the White School Museum is an archive of local Oswegoland history. Step in and take a step back in time.
Link Art GalleryParis
Link Art Gallery (formerly Bicentennial Art Center & Museum), a non-profit organization, offers a full range of art activities and programs to the residents and artists of the region including exhibitions, classes and workshops, tours to other art centers and events, community outreach programs, and, scholarships for talented youth. The Art Center maintains a permanent collection, the nucleus of which are the paintings by Alice Baber, a native of Edgar County, who achieved international recognition in 1960s and 70s. Other collection pieces include paintings, drawings, prints, and three-dimensional pieces by artists with national and regional reputations.
1950s Park Forest House MuseumPark Forest
1950s Park Forest House Museum shows life in American suburbia in 1948-1953. It's furnished as if a young family lives there, and visitors are encouraged to open drawers, cabinets, and closets to see the treasures inside.
Peoria Riverfront MuseumPeoria
The Peoria Riverfront Museum encourages students, pre-k to university level, to unleash their inner genius by experiencing art, science, history, and achievement through our innovative and interactive exhibitions. Group field trips must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
African American Hall of Fame MuseumPeoria
The African American Hall of Fame Museum was founded in 1987 by a small group of civic leaders with a mission to educate through preserving and promoting art and history that highlight African American achievements and individuals that have had an impact on the African American experience, in our community and beyond.
Peoria ZooPeoria
The zoo features animals from Africa, Asia and Australia. The zoo has added the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum on site to create a daylong destination for learning through play that equips local kids with the tools to succeed.
Lincoln's New Salem State Historic SitePetersburg
Step back in time 150 years and see Lincoln's New Salem the way it looked when Abraham Lincoln was a young adult. See authentic blacksmiths and rail-splitter. Stop by our country store and browse the handmade items. If you get a craving for something to eat, visit our full-service restaurant. Join us for a walk in the woods or for a performance at the Theatre in the Park
Livingston County War MuseumPontiac
Come visit our displays from World War I to the present. We are staffed by veterans and are located in the Old City Hall building next to the Route 66 Museum in beautiful downtown Pontiac.
Bureau County Historical SocietyPrinceton
The Bureau County Historical Society Museum consists of two buildings that are next door to each other: the Clark-Norris Home, a handsome Prairie Square mansion built in 1900, and the Newell-Bryant House, a stately Greek Revival house dating back to 1853.
Villa Katherine CastleQuincy
Just south of Warsaw on the Mississippi there stands a Moorish castle. Inside, ornate wooden latticework twists shadows up the walls of a narrow stairway. Railings, doors, windows, ceilings, all are beautifully carved. It is as if you stepped into a rich merchant's home in northern Africa but there is no furniture. George Metz, rich playboy and world traveler of the late 1800s, built the castle for his sweetheart who died before its completion. Tours by appointment.
Quincy Art CenterQuincy
A museum celebrating visual arts, is set in the beautiful Historical District of Quincy, Illinois where avenues are bordered by arching trees. Since 1923, the Quincy Art Center has focused its energies promoting the growth and appreciation of the visual arts in Quincy and the surrounding areas by hosting art exhibits of local and world-renowned artists and providing educational programs for the communities it serves. All exhibits are free and open to the public.
The Riverside ARTS CenterRiverside
We offer over thirty art classes each term (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall) for children and adults in mediums ranging from clay, to oil painting, to fused glass jewelry, to printmaking. The RAC also offers provide tours, field trips, and curricula-based workshops for public and private schools and professional development opportunities for teachers.
Rockford Art MuseumRockford
A Partner in Excellence of the Illinois Arts Council, Rockford Art Museum impacts the quality of life for people of all ages through visual arts programs of collection, exhibition and education. From its beginnings as the Rockford Sketch Club in 1888, to incorporation as the Rockford Art Association in 1913, RAM boasts a rich history that reflects the past, present and future of the Rockford region.
Atwood CenterRockford
The Atwood Center located inside 334-acre Seth B. Atwood Park is a great location for groups of all ages to learn about local ecosystems like forests and prairies, local animals and their food web, and history surrounding the Rockford region. Students have been coming out since 1957 to participate in activities like archery, shelter building, field science, Kishwaukee river study, and more to create a memorable experience in the outdoors. The Atwood Center also features a live Bird of Prey exhibit with seven birds that can be seen by visitors year round.
Ethnic Heritage MuseumRockford
Local history lives on in a quaint home built in 1850, known today as The Ethnic Heritage Museum. Here, you will find six fascinating galleries devoted to the primary immigrant groups that settled in southwest Rockford, IL. African-American, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian and Polish. Through displays of early Rockford's maps, everyday artifacts, vintage clothing, and more, visitors of all ages can learn about Old World customs and traditions. Historical photographs tell the stories of the earliest settlers who established factories near the old "waterpower district" and built their homes nearby. By comparing early with current lifestyles, the museum strives to bridge the gap between yesterday and today ... encouraging visitors to relive the past with a clear focus on Rockford's bright future.
Erlander Home MuseumRockford
The Erlander Home Museum is a cultural centerpiece of Rockford's Swedish ancestry community, and a major asset of the Society. The Museum is located in the home that was built for John Erlander and his family in 1871, within the historic Haight Village of Rockford.
Tinker Swiss Cottage MuseumRockford
Tinker Swiss Cottage is a historic house museum located in the heart of Rockford, Illinois. The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound.
Midway Village MuseumRockford
Find Your Place in History! Midway Village Museum is a 136-acre campus conveniently located near I-90 yet comfortably nestled among the trees to give visitors the step-back-in-time experience. The museum is a Victorian Village (1890 to 1910) of 24 historical buildings filled with artifacts of the era as well as several beautiful 19th century gardens. Interpreters in authentic period dress are available seasonally for guided tours.
Discovery Center MuseumRockford
The amazing Discovery Center Museum is full of over 250 exciting hands-on exhibits spread over a two-floor area. Out in the museum's backyard, visitors can explore Rock River Discovery Park, a giant, multi-level science park with a hands-on twist! The museum also hosts traveling exhibits, special events and programs throughout the year.
Burpee Museum of Natural HistoryRockford
Burpee Museum is the perfect destination for a focused field trip--not so large as to be intimidating but with enough to satisfy any enquiring mind!
Riverfront Museum ParkRockford
A one-stop destination in Rockford for the arts and sciences. Home of Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Dance Company, and Rockford Symphony Orchestra and connected to Burpee Natural History Museum.
Isle A La Cache MuseumRomeoville
"Isle a la Cache Museum immerses visitors in our cultural heritage and natural history. The museum transports visitors back to the 18th century, when "Illinois Country" was home to the fur trade. See how the two worlds of French voyageurs and Potawatomi intertwined. Feel the softness of a beaver pelt, see canoes built of birch bark, and walk inside a wigwam. Then venture outside to be dazzled by the wildlife in the forest preserve, including bald eagles, migratory songbirds, mink, and turtles. Also, be sure to check out the Blanding's turtle inside the museum. While groups of 25 or more are welcome and encouraged to visit the museum and preserve facilities, they are required to get a special use permit in advance to avoid crowding or scheduling conflicts. Please contact the museum at 815-722-9301 for more information."
Historic Auto AttractionsRoscoe
Take a journey through time where history and entertainment meet. Enjoy more than 70 historic vehicles and hundreds of pieces of history that take you beyond the concept of most auto museum. Travel from the old west days to the days of Al Capone and Bonnie & Clyde to TV land, legends of racing, famous cars & famous stars, and more. You will be amazed at this collection of historical facts and memorabilia. You will be transported to the day President Kennedy was assassinated. See the chair that President Lincoln sat in his famous portrait, the dress worn by Marilyn Monroe, the 1976 Bicentennial money car & Johnny Cash's 'One Piece At A Time Car', Batmobiles, Charlie's Angels, Sanford & Son, Flintstone's and more.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving RosemontRosemont
Your students will get fired up about math & physics when they see it come to life in a state-of-the-art wind tunnel. Our STEM educators guide students through an immersive, hands-on experience that consists of an interactive presentation on real-world STEM applications led by STEM Educator, lab activity/immersive experiments (based on grade level), physics demonstrations in the wind tunnel, and one-on-one flying with a certified world-class iFLY flight instructor. It's so much more than a lesson, it's an enriching day of fun and learning that they'll remember the rest of their lives!
Schuyler County Historical Jail MuseumRushville
The Schuyler Jail Museum houses artifacts of the history of Rushville and Schuyler County in a structure built in 1857.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center ChicagoSchaumburg
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is the ultimate indoor LEGO playground with 2 rides, 10 LEGO build & play zones, a 4D cinema, and much more. These activities are all available during a field trip to visit! The center is designed specifically for children aged 3 to 10 years old as everything is kid-sized. Inspire your group's imagination with educational play that harnesses the limitless creative possibilities of LEGO bricks. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted pricing. See website for more details and information on how to book your BRICKTASTIC visit!
Hennepin Canal State TrailSheffield
"Before exploring the wonders of the Hennepin Canal trail, stop in at the Visitor Center near Sheffield. The visitor center has a small museum to highlight the wildlife on the canal as well as the great history behind the building of the waterway. Several displays help illustrate the canal's past, including tools used during its initial construction. At the time the canal was built, workers often made their own tools by hand. There's also a model of a lock with a boat going through it, and a model of an aqueduct. You can also get a peek of the plant and animal life at the park from the numerous specimens on display at the visitor center. From red-tailed hawks, osprey, beaver, otter, badgers, squirrels, and even fish - meet nature indoors before heading outside. Hop on the trail right outside the center and take a 5-minute walk to the west where you can find Bridge 15, an original iron truss, wooden timber bridge that crosses the canal."
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education CenterSkokie
The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is a project of the Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois. This new world-class museum is dedicated to preserving the memories of those lost in the Holocaust and teaching current generations about the need to fight hatred, indifference and genocide in today's world.
Midwest Carvers MuseumSouth Holland
View more than 1,000 unique woodcarvings crafted by local and international artists.
Lincoln Home National Historic SiteSpringfield
There are a variety of visitor activities available at Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Free Ranger led tours of the Lincoln Home are the central feature of the site. The Visitor Center offers orientation and interpretive films. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.
Henson Robinson ZooSpringfield
The zoo is home to more than 300 animals native to Australia, Africa, Asia and North and South America. Over 90 species of native and exotic animals are housed here among naturalistic exhibits. The zoo participates in scientific research studies and conservation efforts in addition to providing a fun and educational environment for people of all ages.
Illinois State MuseumSpringfield
Illinois State Museum promotes discovery, learning, and an appreciation of Illinois' natural, cultural, and artistic heritage. The Museum's extensive collections and research activities provide the foundation for exhibitions and public programs that tell the story of the land, life, people, and art of Illinois. The Illinois State Museum is headquartered in Springfield with branch facilities throughout the state.
St. Charles History MuseumSt. Charles
The St. Charles History Museum offers exhibits on St. Charles and St. Charles Township history. The museum features a timeline of important St. Charles events that have taken place from 1833 until the present. Featured are military service (Civil War through Vietnam War) grave robbing riot, education, millionaires, industry, agriculture and tourism in the Roaring Twenties. The museum is located in the historic McCornack Oil Company building constructed in 1928.
Air Classics Museum of AviationSugar Grove
Air Classics is an aviation museum located at Aurora Municipal Airport - ARR where the aircraft actually fly. You can sit in an A-7 that flew in the Gulf War and climb into the pilot's seat of a UH-1 Huey helicopter. The museum's collection includes aircraft, vehicles, uniforms and other aviation memorabilia from the 1930s to the present time.
McHenry County History MuseumUnion
"Explore over 11,000 square feet of exhibit space in several rooms that explore the history of McHenry County from the Pleistocene Era to the twentieth century. McEachren Hall takes patrons through a chronological journey of the county’s social history, including topics such as migration, economics, war, and sports. Eckart Hall showcases some of our larger pieces and architectural displays. Within this room is access to the Anderson Gallery, where we revolve many of our most popular artifacts. Finally, Our Deicke Hall exhibit showcases our county’s rich agricultural history. The exhibit space is temperature-controlled and handicap accessible, with sitting space throughout." MCHM welcomes groups of all ages. Advance reservations required.
Cuneo MuseumVernon Hills
Built as a private residence, the Cuneo mansion is now a historic house museum, which is really many museums blended into one. As a "living museum," the building and gardens preserve in vivid detail the flavor of an era and a way of life. The grand spaces of the Venetian style architecture, filled with antique furnishings and artwork, and the quiet paths through the manicured grounds allow the visitor to savor the elegant splendor of the "gilded age." The Cuneo mansion is one of the few surviving manor homes from the early 20th-century settlement of gentleman farmers in the fields south of Libertyville, which included Joseph Medill Patterson of the Tribune and Adlai Stevenson, the presidential candidate. Now surrounded by busy suburban development, the museum is a magnificent relic of the domestic opulence and rustic retreat of that former period.
Safari LandVilla Park
Safari Land is a large, INDOOR theme park perfect for those rainy days. With 12 lanes of bowling, 8 attractions, plus over 100 arcade games.
Warrenville Historical MuseumWarrenville
"Explore the history of Warrenville at the Warrenville Historical Museum & Art Gallery, located at 3S530 Second Street! We are located in the Historic Albright Buiding once used as an art studio and gallery by Adam Emory Albright and his twin sons Ivan & Malvin."
Waukegan History MuseumWaukegan
The Museum resides in the historic Haines House. One of the earliest surviving structures in Lake County, the Haines House has been restored to reflect the décor of the late 1800s, when it was the home of John C. Haines, an early mayor of Chicago. It also houses important Waukegan artifacts and both permanent and short-term exhibits.
Kline Creek FarmWheaton
Step back in time and experience what life was like on a DuPage County Farm in the 1890s. Stroll through restored farmstead structures and meet the historically-costumed interpreters operating this living-history farm using the tools and techniques of the past. Activities and events at the farm re-create the seasonal rhythms that have governed farm life for centuries. There is always something to see, do and learn at Kline Creek Farm.
Cantigny ParkWheaton
500 Acres of Adventure Awaits! Cantigny Park is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. Opened to the public in 1958. It is home to: The Robert R. McCormick Museum, The First Division Museum, Cantigny Gardens (Nearly 30 acres of formal gardens, theme plantings and statuary), Education Center, Walking Trails (nearly 3 miles) and spacious Picnic Area, and newly renovated playground. Admission to the Cantigny Park is always free. There is a parking fee for the park. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Cosley ZooWheaton
The Cosley Zoo is a nationally recognized zoo offering an intimate experience with a large variety of domestic farm animals and native Illinois wildlife. The zoo also features a historical train station, a railroad caboose, a tree-lined picnic area, a unique gift shop and a seasonal concession stand.
Wilmette Historical MuseumWilmette
Dedicated to exploring, preserving, and sharing the lively history of Wilmette and its surroundings on the North Shore of Chicago. Located in a beautiful 1896 landmark building at 609 Ridge Road in Wilmette, the Museum is operated by the Wilmette Historical Society, a volunteer organization, and by the Village of Wilmette.
Winnetka Historical SocietyWinnetka
Winnetka Historical Society owns and operates two historic buildings in Winnetka. The Museum and headquarters at 411 Linden Street houses gallery space. The Schmidt-Burnham Log House offers visitors a glimpse of life in the 1850s through the interpretation of costumed docents.
Chester Gould-Dick Tracy MuseumWoodstock
A non-profit organization established to display, promote and honor the work, achievements and the life of Chester Gould (1900-1985), creator of the "Dick Tracy" comic strip and character. The museum perpetuates the legacy of Dick Tracy and the heritage of the comic strip, and Crimestoppers, through the development of the "Crimestoppers Youth Program," developed in 2000.
