Reviews of Illinois State Museum (Museum)

Nina P.

This museum offers a lot of information, it's very educational, I was really impressed. It's easy to spend a lot of time on each floor. If you like geology and ecology, you will not be disappointed. If you never studied the history of the Earth, you will be amazed. Illinois has a very interesting past. This museum is a must visit for everybody, young and old, residents and visitors.

Amelia Ketzle

I was impressed with the quality of the exhibits here. I only saw the first floor (natural history), but still felt there was more to see than i had time for. Great information and displays, and very reasonable. Great value for what you get!

Môrgan Prestage Weir

A bit small, but the children's activity area looked fun for grade school aged children and the Illinois history was fascinating!

Mike Rhodes

They did a great update.

Lime Cat

My daughter loves the play museum.

Safura Sharifi

Very valuable meuseum

Chris Kramer

Illinois has so much history but it isn't shown here though!

Doris Surratt

Love knowledge .

Mariela Cedillo

loveearning bout our history

David Collignon

Pedestrian museum. Some decent exhibitions but mostly routine stuff. Exhibit on the native Ilinoisians was worthwhile.

Melody Uppinghouse

A wonderful place to visit! I recommend the shows for sure!

Ashley Clevenger

Same exhibits as a kid.

Jessica Bogue

Fun. But lots of empty space that needs filled.

Carly Siriann

The Illinois State Museum is full of interactive, exhibits that include swipe cards, pull out drawers, videos and listening to facts on a telephone. The exhibits are well maintained. Each area has a unique element: the history of the land floor, the native American area, the modern art, the displays full of antiques and the kids play area in the basement. There are also interactive video screens that show artifacts and teach about the artifacts. The cost is only 5 dollars per person 19 to 64. This is a Springfield, IL must see!

Zach Stillman

Stopped by on a whim. $5 fee for adults as of june 2017. More natural history: fossils, rock, coal. Temp exhibit of pinball machines was interesting.

Jerry Huckins

Great for kids and adults. I was impressed by the selection of paintings, both permanent and exhibit pieces.

Deanbean Tucker

Lots to learn about our state history, interesting facts, very neat displays..my kids loved it :)

Larry Johnson

Living in illinois my whole life I expect to see a native American display like they used to have. Not just a few props showing a tiny glimpse of their way of life. They used to have a fair display of artifacts which was an amazing learning experience, I have a collection which I'd been encouraged to donate to the museum but that wo t happen if it will just be collecting dust in their basement ...

Joe Joe

They had art upstairs, items and rooms like from early in life tech. Next to the State Capitol, which didnt have time to go and take a tour...

Jason Taylor

Went on a field trip with my daughter and her school. It was a really good time. Very nice place clean and very well maintained.. definitely wouldn't mind going back

Jeremy E.S.

A nice classic style state museum with winding exhibit rooms stuffed many details of life in Illinois. It feels stuck in time from when it opened.

Jasmine walker

Loved it so many different things you could easily spend all day here

KaMeshia M

Educational and fun

Alejandra Seminario Polo

A little bored

travis miller

Nice museum of you need to go spend a couple hours doing something this would be the place to do it

Louis Wilson

This is a great museum for adults and kids. There are lots of activities for children and the educational value is very high. I would definitely recommend.

Gordon K. Davis

Kids loved it

Subject0798

18 and under get in free, fun and interesting spot to kill time.

Dan Soppe Jr

We really enjoyed the Bat Exhibits today. Please try to give other informative displays to increase public knowledge of the many needs we sometimes overlook in conservation.

Zac Weismann

Not my type of museum but great for kids!

Annie Paulsmeyer

Great family place to learn.

Joshua Hughes

Illinois needs to update

Ben Jones

This is a really nicely laid out museum. The staff are all friendly and chatty, and the exhibitions are laid out in a really accessible and interesting way. We really enjoyed our afternoon here.

Thea Chesley

The Illinois Bat Festival was a wonderful program. The museum has art and natural history exhibits. A great place for families.

Stephen Rudolph

We take our grandchildren to the museum regularly. Each time they are just a few months older and there is always something "new" to discover as their interests change. Recently, we went without the kids to see a special exhibit about Illinois' Bicentennial. Even without a guide the exhibit and explanatory placards were very interesting.

Stefan Munker

Some great permanent exhibits, and lots of information. Parking is not easy. Check for special exibits and your interests.

M Cohn

A lot to see his was very interesting

Valerie Connors

This was a lot of fun & staff was super friendly. Kids had a blast. And it's free!

Kristy Myrick

Staff was extremely nice, price is affordable, very informative

Grim reaper

Great piece of history

Ray odle

This place is very very educational if u want to learn about the formation of Illinois.

Lisa Lockett

It was a great time very Interactive. Children's area was amazing the staff was spectacular.

Dragon Queen

We was so pleased to see it and it was a great time and very well put together. And my family really enjoyed the whole experience of Illinois and the History of MR. Lincoln.

Katey Richards

Very fun, brought back alot of old memories and was glad to be apart of it

Ozark T Reese

A great place to learn about history for children and adults alike.

Laura Partida

Alot of interesting things to explore

Bill Key

well done exhibits. fossils and geo history were fascinating

Rory Keylon

Love this place and hadn't been in many years. I was surprised and saddened to see they no longer have a gift shop. One of the best parts about visiting here so I hope they will bring it back at some point. The exhibit on the second floor was good as well.

Christian Arturo

This reminded me of this nature museum that used to be in chicago at the zoo. Very cool place to visit. A little bit of everything for the kids to enjoy. A good break from all the political history, which the kids really enjoyed. A great place for a school field trip.

Andre Bouravnev

I know, you will say, what's there to see in Springfield. Mind you, it is the capital of Illinois. The museum is really good for kids. You can easily spend several hours there quickly.

Prashant Mehta

Great museum, please keep this place open and funded!

Circle B Designs

Nice museum.

Sam LeVon

Nice museum. Very kid friendly but also has some things adults would be interested in like an art museum section and some old guy's collection of fine paper weights

American Bull Terrier

The museum is very good, if small. It has no gift shop, as it once did. I like it less than I did, though it has some nice exhibits. It is an especially good place to take kids; there are extensive activities for them in the basement.

Alex Gataric

Lots of cool exhibits and a kids play room in the basement.

Renae Rogers

Wonderful. Informative. Great staff. Lots of history.

Leanne Bartlett

Truly impressed! I hadn’t been here for years. It has some great new exhibits, fun area for the kids to play and very informative. I took the grandsons but want to go back, alone, so I can read more exhibit info. Went for the kids day and they had a blast

Mark Bradford

Small museum but a really fun place to visit. Especially with kids. This place is worth supporting as we've had several good museums in Springfield close due to lack of support (like the funeral directors museum...no joke)

Tim K

Nice educational museum on the history of Illinois. I especially enjoyed the timeline of life in the state. Entertaining for all ages. Not too big or too small.

Barbara Maples

Great place, lots to see

Lenora Hawkins

Very nice...and free!

Linda pruitt

A great place to visit. Small enough to do in 2 hours. Big enough to keep you entertained. I enjoy the main floor exhibits. The Upper Floor has changing exhibits sometimes they're interesting sometimes not.

Amy Denny

Glad it's open! Great staff!!!

Роман Григорьев

Good.

Andrew Surratt

One if the best free museums in the state with something for everyone aged 2 to 102. As one of the unfortunate casualties of the state's budget impasse, I'm an even more fervent supporter. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. If you're in Springfield for any reason, it's worth a visit.

Arbia mcallister

A lot smaller than what I thought it would be, I love that they have activities for the smaller kids, but wish it was bigger. Only took 20 minutes to see it all

Sabrasue Miller

Great displays. They also have live entertainment one occasion

Richard Kinner

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marianne harris

Went to movie night for the "Guardians"

Mari v

Great exibits

stacy Finley

Had some updates but needs more speakers or tours

Brian Edwards

Wonderful place, recommend any day.

Underground kid

A very nice place to visit to learn Illinois history. Highly recommended.

Bruce Carroll

Loved it. Wish I could have stayed longer, but the family was on a schedule.

Larry Cole

It was very educational and the guide explained everything even to the kids

Smita Gupta

Awesome place to visit in Springfield IL.

Joe Cadotte

☯️

Holly Peterson

Very cool capitol!

Allen Wheeldon

Take the the kiddo's the third floor is all about the little ones

april Juggalotus

I just wish there was more to it when I was younger it was a lot better than it is now

Johnny Stone

So much beautiful history!

Mathew Kerley

Very nice but geared toward smaller children.

Alien Dog

An historical timeline of Lincoln's life that held my interest, and I don't have much of an attention span for biographical history. I visited for free on Lincoln's birthday when they were offering memberships for half price. It's a place I'll go to again, so actually became a member.

Hailey Guenthner

I’ve taken my kids here twice. They love the interactive floor where they can play and learn. The rest of the museum hasn’t been updated much.

Bill Herndon

Nice place to wander. Held up well under no money from State.

Ron Wallace

Must see if you are in Springfield IL

Melissa MacGruder

We've been here several times over the years and my children always have a good time.

Tonica Wright

It was great! Plenty of things to look at. Very entertaining & educational.

Joe Deen

Loved the Illinois Bat Festival! A great learning experience

Becky Ramirez

Had so much fun. Exhibits are interesting and lots to see and do

Elena Schultz

no much to see. a lot info about Illinois in the past and some art but very small

krystal steele

Great little place to take the kiddos.

John Revenaugh

Great for Illinois

Cecilia J.

(Translated by Google) Superb museum with pedagogy perfect for children. The museography is great and the content very interesting. I recommend if you are interested in the history and geography of Illinois. At the historical level, the museum has a beautiful collection of ancient objects and the History of the state is very well explained. (Original) Superbe musée à la pédagogie parfaite pour les enfants. La muséographie est géniale et le contenu très intéressant. Je recommande si vous êtes intéressés par l'histoire et la géographie de l'Illinois. Au niveau historique, le musée a une belle collection d'objets anciens et l'Histoire de l'état est très bien expliquée.

YuChi魚鰭拍拍

Good place to kill some time

Masa Nasief

Great exhibit and very cheap.

Jacob Nelson

Fantastic, free, and you can walk to several places with in a few blocks for food.

Jennifer Lawson

The kids had a blast! Kids are free and adults only 5 bucks! It's very educational and fun !!

Donald Kren

Friendly staff. Kids 3 to 12 love the kids room in the basement and the time capsule exhibits. The geological area is very engaging for all ages. I remember the native Indian exhibits upstairs from when I was in grade school 40 years ago, so they seem dated to me, but still informative. If you don't mind the walk, there is free parking available at the capital visitors center a block and a half due west.

Theodore Fusco

Nice museum with a nice eclectic collection.

Leslie Perry

Loved seeing all the history

Vanessa Rosenthal

Very nice , children area needs to be much larger . Limited space and hours are short.

William Moctezuma

Nice place to stop by

Kurt Kincaid

Entertaining and informative.

Jennifer Snopko

Love the art galleries on the 2nd floor!

Sandra Abfall

Many interesting exhibits. Inexpensive but parking isn't the best!

Yaboi Gavin

Very cool and interesting

Mayra Gutierrez

Waste of time,pretty small not much to see and the old man at the entrance greeting the visitors may be a racist because my family and i are hispanic so he didn't.bother to greet us in the entrance or offer us some cards they give out to swipe in each station for more info on each exhibit,but he would greet,every white people that will come in so i had to ask him for the cards smh!

Brad Metzger

Great place for kids. Cheap price.

Venita Allen-Reid

Great little museum.. Loved the exhibit upstairs

Jeff Wilson

Great place to spend a few hours in, natural history exhibit has a lot of interesting specimens; there is a nice smaller collection of native American artifacts as well.

Adrian Pollock

The staff was helpful and friendly. The cost is $5 for adults, kids 18 and under free. The exhibits were great! We brought our 3 year old and she loved it, especially the kids play/explore area on the lower level.

Galea Havener

It's a wonderful place to host events. We have a small group that meets every other Sunday, it's our "Crafternoon". They are chairs and tables if we need them set up. It's such a calming atmosphere to just hang out and socialize.

Anthony Street

Well worth the $5.

Lindsey Mao

Pretty outdated exhibits, with some of the placards with faded words. The special exhibit art on display was great.

Luisa Navarro

Emocionante conocer el Capitolio. Springfield capital del Estado de Illinois.

Dianne Potter

They have fun, educational events

Amy Moore

I went here when I was a child on a field trip. This year I took my son on his field trip here! Still really awesome and fun! I love the exhibits and the children's play and exploration area! Such a great adventure to share with family and friends! So glad it's open again!!

Lexie DaMoose

So many good memories! Staff are super kind and helpful! So much to see! Low price!

Andy Wiersma

They have renovated and do now charge a minor admission fee. Veterans get in free. I like the museum it is a great place for folks of all ages. Being it is neatly free and the state gives it little funding it lacks some exhibits, but what they have is great and I look forward to new additions.

Ticiea Moore

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Edgar Lopez

Amazing

Dan Moorehouse

Wonderful place to experience the natural and native american history of Illinois. Cool fossils of extinct Illinois mammals!

Pearce Dowden

Interesting little museum

Geoff Guarin

This is a good learning experience for the whole family. They're still waiting for some Illinois dinosaurs to be discovered so they can be displayed... Get busy kids you could be the first person to find a dinosaur in Illinois..... Not likely though it's hard to become a fossil.

Guillermo Ortega

Great museum and nice staff.

Laramie Perez

This is the kind of museum you take young kids to. The exhibits seem dates. Granted it doesn't get the finding or traffic as the Lincoln places, but it can be improved upon.

Johanna Parrish

My 3 year old son loved this! We originally came to the Museum to see the bones of the animals that lived during the ice age like the Mammoth and Giant Sloth. My son enjoyed seeing all the focsils and stuffed animals! Will definitely go again!

Mary Denham

We went for a special lecture so we didn't pay the nominal admission fee. Only one stall in the lower level restroom. This is okay provided you didn't just coms out of a packed auditorium and all the ladies make a beeline for ladies room. Great place to view Illinois history.

Jacque Bursott

Curious about the geographical history of Illinois? Want to see gorgeous displays featuring Illinois wildlife and rocks? A wonderful museum for the entire family. 3 floors of exhibits with a lower level designed especially for children. Museum pricing reasonable - $5 for adults with other pricing for children and seniors. Handicap accessible throughout. Beautifully maintained facility. One of Springfield/ Illinois best kept museums. Plan a trip you won't be disappointed.

Jeanne Miller

So wonderful to have our museum back! Beautiful new displays.

Greg Bishop

Wonderful after hours experience for visitors!

Sam

Amazing museum. We need to support it. Can't have it shut down again

Christine Carlson

Great displays of Illinois geology.

Mike Rutledge

Music at the Museum is a great event. A great chance to listen to a variety of very talented muscians and styles.

Caroline C

One of the best places to take your children on a home school field trip!!!

Yuul Selv

My parents' wedding is featured at this museum. The state of Illinois makes money off of my family history. Where are my residuals? You gain revenue via selling my family's biography? I also see you have oppressive cannabis laws and enforcement. The state of Illinois is a thief. You are thieves.

Barbara Krueger

Went to a class on family history at the museum. It was excellent! Just what I was looking for!

Justin Sprinkel

If you've never been, make a trip of it to go. Well worth it for the young or old.

Tabatha Brunswick

Cheap, clean. Friendly and informative

Bob Carmichael

Very well developed natural history museum. Well worth the time to see it.

Larry McDevitt

For $5 admission you can't beat this in central Illinois.

Luke Ricards

Excellent curation!

Lisa R

I went to this museum to enjoy the rock/fossil display. I was very uncomfortable due to being followed by a male staff member the entire time. I left because I couldn't enjoy the museum.

Jaime Klein

This is a hidden treasure. An awesome place to learn about Illinois and very well designed. Illinois budget woes had closed it down for several years and some things need to be updated but overall it is an awesome place to visit.

Patricia Quiñonez Cuzcano

(Translated by Google) I really liked how they have shaped the chronology of Illinois, from the Cretaceous to modernity. (Original) Me gustó mucho como han plasmado la cronología de Illinois, desde en cretácico hasta la modernidad.

David Averbeck

Cool exhibits good price

Molly Moss

We like taking the kids here on rainy days. They have a nice play area in the basement and a rotating display on the top floor. Inexpensive and educational fun!

Old Blazer

You'll spend all day here.

Bab Maisenbacher

Great place to take kids

Nabeela Iqbal

I don't like museums, and this one was super small. It was alright I guess.

Brian Wright

Not the best, not the worst, considering the state's budget problem!

Travis Spurling

This place was fantastic I wish we had one of these here in Tulsa. If I'm ever back in the area I will go here for a whole day! The basement is set up for kids by 2 year old had a blast and blue 2 hours down there fast. the museum itself is set up for kids and adults with tons of information that you might look over so it's worth going a couple of times, or an all-day Adventure.

Mr Ed Smith

Great tattoo night! hope for more next go around enjoyed the adult after hours