Chicago History Museum

Founded in 1856, the Chicago History Museum (originally called the Chicago Historical Society) was created to focus solely on the study of Chicago's history. Set in Lincoln Park, the museum certainly had a lot of setbacks, like the Great Fire of 1871, but it has prevailed into what it is today. The permanent collection includes almost 600 pieces that document the past 200 years, from presidential documents to child-friendly exhibits.

With exciting offerings that explore state and national history and its own publication, the Chicago History Museum is the one spot a history buff wouldn't want to miss.