Architecture, art, history, and science in the heart of Chicago’s mid-South Side

 
 

Museum Campus South is a collection of renowned organizations showcasing contemporary and modern art, architecture, theater, performance, historic collections, archaeology, science and technology.

The campus is located eight miles south of downtown Chicago in the neighborhoods of Hyde Park and Washington Park. The museums surround the site of the historic 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition—between Jackson Park, the University of Chicago campus, the Midway Plaisance, and Washington Park. Over 2 million people visit the consortium of museums each year.

Museum Campus South is the manifestation of a long-standing vision from the City of Chicago’s Cultural Plan to foster and promote vibrant cultural districts citywide. The development of Museum Campus South represents an important first step in uniting the dynamic artistic and cultural significance of Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods and downtown.

Museum Campus South features  renowned cultural institutions

 
 
 
 
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The DuSable Black History Museum & Education Center

The DuSable Museum proudly holds more than 15,000 pieces including paintings, sculpture, print works, and historical memorabilia. Special exhibitions, workshops, and lectures are featured.

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Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures

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.

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The Renaissance Society

Founded in 1915, The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago is one of the oldest contemporary art museums in the country and presents cutting edge exhibitions, performances, films, and readings. Free and open to the public.

Smart Museum of Art

Founded in 1974, the Smart is home to thought-provoking exhibitions and an exquisite collection of ancient, modern, and contemporary art from across the globe.

 
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Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago—one of the largest science museums in the world—is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.

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Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts

The University of Chicago's Logan Center offers an array of arts programming, free exhibitions and amazing views of the city. 

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Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House

Built between 1908 and 1910, the Robie House is a National Historic Landmark and known for exemplifying the Prairie School style; the first architectural style to be considered uniquely American.

 
 
 
 
 

Visit Museum Campus South

Public transportation

The Metra Electric District Line runs between Millennium Park and University Park stations. Exit at the 55th–56th–57th Street station, and walk along 57th Street to the Museum Campus South locations. See metrarail.com for fares, timetables, and other details.

The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is Chicago's public transportation system, offering a large network of buses, elevated trains, and subways around the city. Take the 2, 4, 6, or X28 bus from downtown Chicago south to 57th and Hyde Park or take the Red or Green Line trains to Garfield (55th St) and transfer to an eastbound #55 bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. Travelling from the south you can take the number 2, 6, 15, and 28 buses north to 57th and Stony Island. See transitchicago.com for schedules, routes, and additional details.

 

Driving and parking

For getting to Museum Campus South from the north (downtown) or south take South Lake Shore Drive and exit at 57th Street. For access from I-90/94 take the Garfield (55th Street) exit and drive east. 

Parking at the Museum of Science and Industry is provided by their underground garage located at the northwest corner of the building.  

The DuSable Museum of African American History offers free parking adjacent to the museum.

Visitors to University of Chicago locations are encouraged to visit their website for details of garages and lots.

Free and metered street parking is available throughout Hyde Park.

 

Walking and cycling

Once here, Museum Campus South is navigable by foot: the longest distance is about 1.5 miles, between the DuSable Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry.

Bicycle is another great way to explore Museum Campus South. There are a number of Divvy bike sharing stations located near the museums, and the east end of Museum Campus South lies directly on the Lakefront Bike trail which extends south to 79th street and north to Hollywood Avenue.  

 

Health and safety

When planning your visit to any of the Museum Campus South partners, please be sure to check each institution’s health & safety guidelines for the latest policies regarding admissions, masking, and social distancing.

 

other things to see and do

Apart from the museum cafés at the Smart Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Logan Center, the surrounding neighborhoods also offer an extensive array of restaurants for any palette. Some local favorites include the Currency Exchange Cafe in Washington Park, Plein Air Cafe next door to  Robie House, Medici Restaurant  on 57th Street, as well as a large selection of restaurants and shopping options on 53rd Street. Independent booksellers Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 57th St. Books, and Powell's Books are favorites of locals and visitors alike. 

Other cultural institutions in the area include the Arts Incubator, Court Theatre, Hyde Park Art Center, Black Pearl, Hyde Park Historical Society, Blackstone Library, the Civic Knowledge Project, Hyde Park Jazz Society, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, Stony Island Arts Bank, The Arts Block, and International House. 

 

Contact Museum Campus South