What do optical illusions, immersive art, ooey-gooey slime and global flavors of ice cream have in common? Answer: You’ll find them all represented in Chicago’s interactive (and sometimes unconventional) museums. These six spots throughout the Windy City combine hands-on fun with education, and several feature rotating exhibits to keep you coming back for more. Tuck these ideas into your back pocket for dreary days when the kids (and you) need an imaginative escape.
Courtesy of Color Factory Chicago Color Factory
Head to the bottom of the Willis Tower to taste, listen and jump your way through Color Factory with joy. This exuberant art museum provides an in-depth look at color and how it impacts our perception of everything around us. Each room is a unique concept designed by a different artist or partner, with plenty of Chicago-specific details and of course, interactive photo ops. A few rooms change out seasonally, too.
Courtesy of Museum of Illusions Museum of Illusions
Everything may not be as it seems in this museum by Millennium Park, but your family will have a ton of fun exploring mind-bending illusions and learning the mechanics behind what makes them so fascinating. Enter the human kaleidoscope, pass through the vortex tunnel and climb the walls in the rotated room. Bonus: Your friends won’t believe some of your pictures (no need to reveal the museum’s tricks!).
The Museum of Illusions also has a Kansas City, Missouri location, as well as a Mall of America location. Museums are expected to open soon in Cleveland and St. Louis.
Museum of Ice Cream
The prospect of unlimited ice cream may sound entirely too good to be true under many circumstances—but it’s no gimmick at Museum of Ice Cream. When you’re here, you can indulge in as much of the cool treat as you desire, taste a Chicago ice cream hot dog (yes, it’s a thing), play carnival games and minigolf, and, cherry on top: slide into a giant pool of colored sprinkles. If your sweet tooth hasn’t been satisfied by the end of your visit, swing by the onsite cafe for more ice cream, milkshakes and cocktails (for the grown-ups).
Kirsten Miccoli WNDR Museum
Even if you’ve already visited WNDR Museum, you certainly won’t have the same experience twice.
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