GOLD COAST. Chicago Historical Society is dedicated to collecting information about, and preserving the heritage of, the city's past. It also focuses on select areas of American history and features permanent and rotating exhibits of art, historical objects, and artifacts. Visit and discover answers to questions like, "Why is Chicago dubbed 'the Windy City?'" and "How was Chicago involved in the Civil War?" The Society holds about 20 million historical documents and artifacts. Free admission on Mondays.

SOUTH SIDE. The African-American experience is depicted in unique fashion at this museum. The project started as a small display in a teacher's home, and with lots of community effort, the labor of love got its own building in 1973. Thousands of artifacts, photos, paintings, drawings, sculptures, and textiles are displayed, along with information describing the evolution of African-American culture. The civil rights movement of the 1960s is particularly detailed. Events like concerts, lectures, and poetry readings are held regularly.

Oak Park is the neighborhood in which Nobel Prize-winner Ernest Hemingway spent his first 20 years, and this local museum chronicles that formative period in his life. Divided into sections, each with its own theme, the museum informs visitors about Hemingway in the movies and Hemingway during World War II. You can even tour the house he grew up in and view childhood photos. A must for fans of the revered writer and for literature aficionados.

EVANSTON. The Mitchell Museum devotes its attention to the history, culture, and arts of the North American Native people. The collection has a variety of items that include photographs, documents, artifacts, and other items relating to Native American culture. There are a number of permanent exhibits, including those focusing on the Woodlands, Plains, Southwest, Northwest Coast, and Arctic. Visitors can get a glimpse of a number of Native American artifacts like quillwork, jewelry, authentic canoes, moosehair embroidery, and fishing equipment.

DOWNTOWN. Educate yourself about Jewish heritage by visiting the Spertus Museum. It offers visitors a glimpse into the history, lifestyle, and culture of the Jewish people. It chronicles over 5000 years of history and includes objects such as textiles, coins, sculpture, and paintings to name a few. The Zell Holocaust Memorial is located at the museum and features a touching video that includes victims of the Holocaust associated with Chicago.