The experience was thrilling leaving me and my kids having a lot of fun and anticipation for the next room. The reason I gave this museum a 4 star rating was because some rooms weren't as thrilling as other rooms also making it not just a non-interactive area but also an over expense to any amount of people. Although there are some cons, it is a great experience for not just kids but also for the parents paying for it!! read more

We purchased timed-entry tickets and ended up arriving late. Thankfully, the staff was understanding and still allowed us to enter, which we really appreciated. The museum did not disappoint! We spent about an hour and 15 minutes exploring, and every member of our family had an amazing time. Each room was unique, and most of the exhibits were interactive, making it a fun, immersive experience for both kids and adults. This isn't your typical museum--it's an interactive art experience that's engaging, creative, and unlike anything else we've done. We were smiling and laughing the entire time. I would absolutely come back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun activity that's a little different. It's definitely a must-see while you're in Chicago! read more

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Here is good : This is a fun, immersive art installation that's perfect for experiencing art for all ages (well maybe not for those under 2). My family had a blast interacting with ojects and taking photos and videos in each room. My faves is the ball pit (warning; it has explicit word as part of it), the balloon blower and swing. We went on a Saturday afternoon and I did not feel it was crowded. Now for the ugly. It can be a bit difficult to find, we missed the entrance coming to this place. Admission can be on the expensive side depending when you go (parking was free though). While most of the experience was great, I felt a few staff members could have been a bit more welcoming. Oh I was wearing a white shirt and they have a ball you can interact with that has charcoal spikes, you can guess what happened. Overall, it is unique and memorable experience that both kids and adults can enjoy. I'd definitely recommend it, especially for families with school-aged children or anyone looking for a fun, interactive art experience. read more

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Tricky to get to but once you find it, you're in for a treat! Fun for all ages!!! It's adorable and the thing I loved most, the gift shop at the end was the most adorable gift shop I've seen!! We loved all the interactive art! Go check out this pop up museum while you can!! read more

Balloon Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'd been wanting to come here for a long time, and we finally did. For two tickets, the total was a little under $100. Most of the exhibits were great. There were a few that were meh, like the bubble room. My highlight was the ball-pit room. I could've stayed there for hours because of the amazing visuals. I also enjoyed the swings and silver balloon room. I wish the museum put a cap on how many people are in each exhibit. There were times I felt like I couldn't fully experience exhibits because there were too many people. Also, take advantage of the adults-only slots. One of the groups we kept running into was this large group of teen basketball players that were loud and taking up space. read more

Balloon Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So excited this was still available during our Chicago trip. We went on a Sunday night and it was not busy at all, which honestly made the experience even better. We never felt rushed moving from one exhibit to the next and were really able to take everything in. There are so many interactive exhibits and I appreciated that each one included information about the artist and the meaning behind the art. It made the experience feel immersive, thoughtful, and just plain fun. The only downside happened when we left after closing. Since we didn't drive, we got stuck inside the parking lot because the gates had already been closed. Our Uber couldn't get in and we couldn't get out. Thankfully one last car was leaving, so we managed to sneak out and walk around the building to meet our Uber. Definitely something to keep in mind if you're relying on rideshare after closing time! read more

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The Balloon Museum in Chicago was so much fun and exceeded my expectations! It's a fantastic experience for both adults and children, with interactive exhibits that keep everyone entertained. My absolute favorite was the room with the powerful air currents sending hundreds of silver balloons spinning and floating all around, it was mesmerizing. We went during a weekday, so it wasn't too crowded, and we were lucky enough to have some of the rooms all to ourselves for a little while. I also enjoyed taking a dip into the ball pool, especially with the entertaining show. They offer both military discounts and Illinois resident discounts, which is always appreciated. I would definitely recommend visiting if you're looking for a unique, interactive, and enjoyable outing with friends and family. read more

If you, like me, have seen advertisements on the CTA, I am glad to tell you they are generally true to form, except for the fact that there'll be squadrons of kids running around! As an adult who did not have children with him, I am still glad I went, though a ~$50 asking price on a weekend, plus parking, is a little steep. This gallery was unique and interesting, even if I did not really understand the meaning behind the artworks, and what human emotions they were supposed to represent. Yes, there were descriptions on placards, but I was too lazy to read them - I wanted to enjoy the works for what they were. Some of them were unique and interesting, something that shows what I consider genuine creativity and the pushing of boundaries, such as the completely dark room with bubbles and a horizontal laser. Others were pushing it a little, I'm sure there was a deeper thought, but I couldn't see the ball pit for anything other than a ball pit. Then, you had the ones that just make one go "huh?!?" Don't take my feelings as gospel: like with an art museum, some gravitate towards realism, other impressionism. One thing I want to give credit for is that the museum did not disappoint, even if the prices were too high. There was a fair number of exhibits, most of which were interactive. For examples, I recall a room where balloons would do a dance set to ballet music, and standing in the middle as this happened around you made the experience immersive, rather than standing behind a barrier. Final verdict: If you have kids, go. They will likely have a blast. As an adult, look at the photos on this page. If you generally like what you see, buy a ticket - when a non-extravagant night out can easily cost $100 per person, $50-ish isn't world-ending. read more

"It might seem crazy what I am 'bout to say Sunshine, she's here you can take a break I'ma hot air balloon that could go to space, huh With the air, like I don't care, baby, by the way, huh Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof (Because I'm happy)" This place reminds made me SO HAPPY!! We had a blast and it is very accessible. We went to the Chicago location and enjoyed every room. This has to be the first museum that was actually worth the price for the amount of exhibits/rooms and the duration we stayed. This is also enjoyable for all ages. I'm a big kid so the ball pit was amazing and so big. I didn't expect it to be that large. FYI do NOT jump in with anything that can fall off or in your pockets PLEASE follow the rules. I also enjoyed that the gift shop was reasonably priced. Most gift shops charge overpriced for simple items but I appreciated that things like magnets, pencils, keychains were not expensive. This was an adventure we will never forget and now I'm wanting to try another location. read more

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I honestly did not know what to expect at the Balloon Museum but it was well worth it. Finding the parking lot can be challenging. They have a parking lot with parking for about $12. But the map programs bring you to the exit on a different street than the entrance. We finally realized where we were supposed to be and got to the right location. When you enter the museum and your tickets are scanned, you walk through many rooms filled with large balloons, small balloons, colorful ones, many move / are animated. There are two rooms with bubbles - one with musical instruments that shoots out bubbles, and another room filled with bubbles you walk through. I'd say my favorite exhibit was the ball pit. Yes, like the ball pits at McDonald's, but much, much larger. In that room that has a choreographed balloon dance filled with colors and music. I did get in the ball pit but getting out was challenging. This was a great experience - one I think most people would love. You don't have to be a kid, or even have kids, to enjoy the show. read more

We went on the weekend the price was $54 per person total. You do have to pay for parking. It was $13 for us at the time we went early in the morning. Right when you walk in they scan your ticket and you go right into the exhibition. There's no real organization order for how the flow of the exhibition is you just move at your own pace. The whole experience is about 35 to 40 minutes. They say you can stay as long as you want but for certain installations it is timed 10 to 15 minutes. It is absolutely a balloon museum! However, it did not live up to the promotional hype that I've seen influencers document. My experience was a bit uncomfortable because I couldn't really enjoy myself due to everyone being everywhere all at once. I couldn't really take aesthetic pictures because people were walking through & staring awkwardly at you because they want to look at the balloon. Big red flag: There were lots of families with strollers little kids, and many unattended kids that had to be in middle school. Some parents were not tending to their kids properly. With the installations being an immersive experience they can be a bit dangerous for the little kids. There should be a specified timeslot for the little kids to enjoy and not have to worry about them being ran over by huge balls or balloons from bigger kids and adults. If they do this again for next year, I just hope that there's more organization with time slots for adults to be there and for the families to be there. Everybody should not be at the same immersive experience all at once like this. read more

Balloon Museum - Ball pit - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I felt my inner child activate as I entered the museum. The different art displays and activities were amazing! I was a little confused with how to engage with a couple of the rooms, and wished there were directions or an attendant to help increase engagement. It is family friendly, so it can be tricky navigating some of the rooms when small children are present. Overall, it was a great experience. read more

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The Balloon Museum has a few locations throughout the world with different art exhibitions. The one in Chicago is themed around emotions and feeling, and it will be open until April 6th. My boyfriend and I showed up here around 3pm on Valentine's Day. You can purchase tickets ahead of time, but we were able to buy them at the ticket office. The wait in line took about 30 minutes, and then they told us the next available time slot was 4pm, even though we were able to go in immediately. It seemed like the lines to get into the museum were pretty disorganized. They were placing earlier times into the longer lines, but once you got up to the person scanning you in, they didn't check what your ticket time was, so we were able to get in before the people who had the 3:30 and 3:45 time slot. Overall, I think there was just a lack of communication among staff, or they didn't really care about controlling how many people were let in. It was pretty crowded inside, which I expected and it wasn't a problem to me. Walking through took about an hour. Almost everything was interactive, and they even had a giant room with a ball pit that you could go in. I thought it was fun, and it's definitely something that kids would love, but I don't think it was worth the price of $50 per person. At the end of the museum, there was an area to buy souvenirs and small snacks like popcorn. They also had pre-made balloon animals you could purchase in shapes like flowers, butterflies, and dogs. read more

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Fun and unique experience, but I would 100% avoid going on a weekend. Despite showing "green" availability online for a Saturday, it was crazy busy when we arrived, which tells me they're overselling for timeslots at the guest's expense. The experience is much better when you're not packed in like sardines... plus tickets are ~$55, which are a little overpriced to begin with. Parking is extra but we were able to find free street parking and walk down the long alley to the entrance. We were also glad we did the coat check for $5. Onto the "museum" itself - I really liked the variety of the exhibits and the artist's descriptions before entering each one, just like in a traditional museum but much more interactive. My favorite room was probably the last one because it was the most sensory immersive when laying in the center. But the giant ball pit was also really fun, and the room with the silver balloons felt like you were at a magical rave! For the ball pit room - there is a "show" that goes on and right after they ask everyone to leave, so if possible, before entering I'd ask when the next show is starting and wait to go in right after so you have as much time as possible to enjoy the experience until the next show starts. At the end of the exhibits, there is a cute gift shop and small food counter with some tables and chairs. For kids and adults alike, this museum is something different and delightful to do this winter in Chicago. Overall, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. read more

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What a fun experience! When you arrive at the museum, you can either line up to purchase tickets on-site or walk right in if you bought yours online. Parking is available directly in front of the building for $10, or you can opt for free street parking a bit farther away if you don't mind the walk. Each section of the museum is highly interactive with plenty of photo opportunities, making it enjoyable for all ages. The space is also wheelchair accessible. Most areas had staff present for crowd control, though there were a few sections where it felt like someone should've been monitoring the timing. Restrooms are located outside the building near the entrance, so I'd recommend using them before you go in. At the exit, there's a gift shop that also serves food and has a nice selection of souvenirs.We found out that the museum will only be open until April of 2026, so if you are looking for something fun to do , this is the spot for it . Overall, I had a great time--just wish the experience was a bit more organized. read more

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One of my grandbabies had an early dismissal from school. Being the cool grandma (Mimi) that I am, I surprised her with a day at the new Balloon Museum. There are timed entry tickets and parking is available for 13$. What a beautiful space! So many rooms to explore; vibrant colors, or NO color, live music, moving parts and it's very interactive. There is a black and white room with a clear balloon that has charcoal points. You are allowed to gently push the balloon and watch it make art on the ceiling and the walls. The balloon has charcoal all over it, once you exit there is a sanitation station to clean little hands, as well as your own if you participated. Of course, I did. There is a room where you crawl through a balloon maze. So fun. I don't want to give away too many details as there was something different and unique to each room. The experience lasts about an hour and fifteen minutes, give or take. LOTS to do and see, totally worth it! Wear comfortable shoes and have your camera or phone ready for pictures. Once the experience is over, the tour ends in the cafe where there is merch for sale. There is also a balloon bar where you can buy small sandwiches, sweet treats, popcorn and drinks. You are even gifted a little surprise when you leave. The balloon museum is a traveling pop up and will only be in Chicago till April 2026. They have other cities to visit. Hope you get a chance to check it out before it leaves. read more

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Pros: It is a great art installation museum. Great for people to experience art together. Exhibition was interactive. Feel like a giant for both adults and kids. My kid and I had a lot of fun there and he was wishing there are more rooms. Cons: Not the easiest to find and website is not very clear about certain information. Quite pricey. Can be quite loud and dark in certain rooms, not suitable for very young kids like under 2. Felt like some staff can be more friendly. read more

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A multi- sensory immersive experience. Great choice for anyone with kids and even my teen enjoyed it. Ball pit, swing room , and playground ball room were highlights. A little pricy for admission but if you take your time in each of the 19 exhibit rooms it's worth it read more

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Kind of pricey for the experience. It was only about 45 mins - an hour to get through. I did like how interactive each exhibit was. The exhibits with lights were my favorite. It's cute for pictures and definitely a kid-friendly attraction! read more

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Checked out the Balloon Museum in Chicago and it was cool, but definitely better for teens and adults than little kids. A lot of the early rooms are really dark, which made it hard to take photos and also scared the toddler...Some of the artwork/themes also felt a bit too "adult" for a family spot haha The lighter rooms toward the end were more fun, but the big ball pit wasn't as kid-friendly. The balloons came up almost to my waist (I'm 6'1"), so my kiddo basically disappeared under them and couldn't move...which was funny but he couldn't fully enjoy it...also the ai slop video had some creepy dark shadow that idk if it's for every kiddo...on the other hand the ballon room with the airflow was amazing he was able to run around and smack the balloons! It's definitely a unique experience and older kids/teens would love it, but for families with toddlers it's just okay, especially considering the price (around $100+ for two adults on the weekend ) kids under 3 are free so that's a plus, parking is reasonable at $13.50. read more

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Always looking for new fun things to check out during our Chicago visits! Had so many ads pop up for this place so I had to check it out! It is a fun interactive museum with lots of cool visuals and sounds! Loved the giant ball pit and the swings in a circle facing an awesome light show. Some of the rooms scared my almost 2 year old a tiny bit but for the most part he loved it! Tickets are pretty pricey but worth it for a one time thing, really glad we checked it out! read more

Balloon Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was perfect! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was sooo much fun and extremely interactive. This is a great experience to bring kids, to interact with art, and to explore emotions through play as an adult. The creators of this popup ex hit were intelligent. read more

This was a really cool experience. It's a little bit out of the city and a little expensive. But sometimes there's promo! It was interactive and fun and artistic. My toddler loved it. read more

GENERATIVE AI PASSED OFF AS ART! I was thrilled to come here for my birthday, and for the most part it was incredible! The silent ballet was a strong point, and every section except the ballpit area was wonderful. The timed ballpit area involves a long segment of poorly generated, sloppy, grotesque AI generated clips, which are frankly not appropriate for young children. This is beyond unacceptable to pass off as an art experience. I am disgusted at the lack of transparency, and my group and I never would have supported a project that uses Generative AI in this way. We do not recommend this experience, especially for those with a sense of morality (or small children). read more

My friend and I went and we had the best time! We got tickets before hand and had to pay for parking. They do have a coat check in for $5 per coat too. It is a really interactive colorful, vibrant museum which is very creative. A couple of the rooms we zipped through because we felt over simulated and nauseous. Our favorite part was the ball pit and didn't realize how hard it can be to get out of it- looks easier said than done! The description on all of them were very detailed and educational. I highly recommend for everyone to go as the pop up exhibit is until April 6th! I would go again. It takes you to another world for sometime and great opportunity to disconnect which is nice. read more

Balloon Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

So much fun. Definitely worth the two train rides and a bus from South loop area. Really great time and affordable price. It was about $30 for the admission and we loved every minute. read more

Please do yourself a favor and GO NOW! This is an amazing exhibition for all ages, kids and adults alike. You will be truly shocked at how good this is, with each of the 18 exhibitions so unique and different. And please keep you phones carefully in your pocket since I dropped it inside the ball pit and major kudos to Deborah (one of the staff) who literally went 'swimming' for it in the bubble pit . Thank you so much. Exhibition runs through April 6th. You do have to pay for parking and it's $13. read more

Fun for adults and kids alike. Especially if you are young at heart. But if you are adult going without kids, you might want to come at time that are not many kids. And parents should keep a tight watch on kids all the time, or hold them. It can be quite dangerous when there are many people around with a lot of balls and balloons. Admission fees are pretty hefty. So, may be only worth doing it once! read more

After all the photos and videos I saw of this spot, I couldn't resist. It was a great combo of art, interaction and philosophy. The exhibits felt endless and were so fun to hang out in. Definitely worth it, and take your time. [hosted] read more

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Good experience. Very quick and easy to enter the museum. Parking was a little difficult to find but as soon as we found it was easy to park. It was close to the building not a far walk. Every exhibit was colorful and interactive. The tour took about hour and half. There is a show in ball pit which was very fun. read more

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super fun! the installations were interactive and fun to play with. the time it takes varies on how many pictures you want (excluding the ball pit room where it was with groups). The bathroom is right outside of the venue so go before heading inside! definitely recommend!! read more

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My teens loved it. Very colorful and hands on! Wish they had a place for coats. Went to WNDR first but they liked this more. read more

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Super fun. Went here on vacation. Most rooms were awesome, a few were boring, but that didn't take away from the ball pit room. Which was just, Wow! The experience was top notch. Made my day! read more

Hands down, the best museum I've ever been to! It was so fun and I felt like a kid again. The ball pit room was unreal and I did not wanna leave. It was incredibly beautiful and engaging. read more

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Even though the experience was great, I wasn't happy with the purchase experience. I purchased a family 4 package and I got charged for 8 people instead of 4. I went to return the extra 4 tickets and after going online and checking my balance the lady in charge said the museum doesn't do any refunds. She suggested that I talk to the bank to do a dispute. Long story short, I never got a receipt from The Balloon Museum and I wasn't able to get my refund. read more

Balloon Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was on my bucket list for the longest time and definitely exceeded my expectations. I felt like a kid in a candy store here. Though the exhibit took one full hour to see, if I could repeat it I would. Was a fun and magical experience. Plenty of photo opps and delightful visuals that appeal to all the senses! read more

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This place was mesmerizing! The light show and the hands on experience was fun for all ages! Walk into a world of colors! Try to get there before it leaves Chicago! read more

Great experience! Just wish there were more signs for the main entrance and parking. We parked on a side street and it was confusing trying to find the main entrance. (It's in the alley next to Cermak store) read more

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staff yelled over the microphone like the were lifeguards scolding children. You cant do this and you cant do that. The employees yelling at people was very disrespectful. I couldn't"t even walk in a circle holding my toddler hand, with plenty of space from others , without being scolded and disrespected. My family felt the staff in the ball pit had a threatening demeanor and were not allowed to go where we wanted. We had to leave attractions on a timer and we did not like the fact that we had to stand around before being able to enter attractions. We paid a lot of money to just be held up in hallways waiting. Also, there were no facilities and I had to change my toddler on the floor. This is a cool place if you like being yelled and and mongered and most attractions could not accommodate the number of people in each area. read more

Shitty signage and a dangerous walkway where you have to fight vehicles to get to the event. Staff act like you been there and know the routine. Their insurance company cannot possibly know about this setup. Once you're inside, it's a great exhibit read more