Skip to main content
Wrigley Field - Chicago

Illinois State Museum

502 S. Spring St., Springfield, IL 62706

Galleries

Discover Illinois’ natural and cultural heritage, experience exhibits showcasing Illinois art, or visit the Play Museum–a hands-on area where kids learn through play.

The Illinois State Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of the natural history, anthropology, history, and art of Illinois. Explore three floors of exhibits that display a vast array of items drawn from the Museum's collections of over 13.5 million artifacts including skeletal specimens of the Mastodon, and the giant Jefferson's Ground Sloth. Interactive elements, thrilling audio and video effects, life-sized dioramas and thousands of authentic fossils and specimens illustrate the processes that shaped and continue to transform Illinois' diverse environments. Learn about how native peoples and frontier Americans lived on the prairie of Illinois, and examine the works of great Illinois artists. Illinois 250

What's happening nearby...

History Comes Alive: Spring Break Edition

Downtown Springfield •  Mar 21 – Apr 04 @ 10AM

History Comes Alive just in time for Spring Break. Look for the Lincolns as you enjoy a trip back in time. March 21 - April…

Read more about History Comes Alive: Spring Break Edition

Springfield Jr Blues Hockey Season

The Nelson Center •  Oct 31 – Apr 11 @ 6:30PM

Catch all the action of the 2025-2026 Springfield Jr Blues Hockey Season!

Read more about Springfield Jr Blues Hockey Season

Spring Floral Show at Washington Park Botanical Gardens

Washington Park Botanical Garden •  Mar 21 – Apr 12 @ 12noon

Spring has sprung at the Washington Park Botanical Garden for the Spring Floral Show March 22 - April 12.

Read more about Spring Floral Show at Washington Park Botanical Gardens

You might also be interested...

Ace Sign Company Sign Museum

Springfield

Ace Sign Company Sign Museum has some of the most amazing signage throughout Illinois and beyond. Inside you can find the famous "Sonrise Doughnut" sign…

Read more about Ace Sign Company Sign Museum

Hoogland Center for the Arts

Springfield

The Hoogland Center for the Arts is one of Springfield's most iconic entertainment attractions. Experience the sights and sounds of world renowned plays, unique artistic…

Read more about Hoogland Center for the Arts

The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space

Springfield

The mission of the Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space is to cultivate and celebrate expressions of multidimensional artists. We strive to be a catalyst and forum…

Read more about The Pharmacy Gallery & Art Space

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.