What a hidden gem in northern Chicago! We toured briefly last week, Cameron was our tour guide for the 11:30 or so tour. He was excellent and his knowledge of French and the current French poster exhibition added to our visit. We will definitely be back when we have even more time. read more

A gem of the museum located in the heart of River River North, the former Nickerson home is a don't miss for fans of architecture or the Gilded Age. Can't believe this exists a few steps from my own home. Going around the holidays is a special treat as the mansion is decorated for Christmas. Definitely join a guided tour so that you can learn more about what you are seeing. Adds a richness to the tour that a self-guided tour cannot match. read more

I loved this. What a lovely a beautifully preserved space. Allow for a good chunk of time, and then just relax, bask, and enjoy. I did the headphones tour (since I had just missed the actual-person-tour) and it was great!! It's simply a sumptuous and elegant place to be, with incredible attention to detail, both then and now. Wow. read more

Very cool museum. I always like small museums converted from people's home, especially rich people's homes haha. Went for the guided tour on a Saturday afternoon, admission is halved for students and the guided tour is $5 plus. Everyone is greeting you and being nice, even the coat room staffs are super friendly and they held my starbucks drink for me separately from my bag to avoid spilling. The guided tour is about one hour, and the lady walked us through all the rooms. I cannot say how much I loved the decorations especially the stained glass dome and all the Tiffany lamps and mosaics! I am also amazed how well the furnitures in the house have been preserved while its owner has been changing all the time... The second and third floor temporary exhibits are amazing too, the French posters are so beautiful and I guess that's why I bought a notebook in the giftshop... But even if you are on your own without guided tour, I would say you can still enjoy the museum since everything is illustrated very well on the labels and captions, nothing too long or overwhelming, it's just the right amount of words. I greatly enjoyed my visit, hope you will as well. read more

Driehaus Museum - Sculpture in the room with dome, reminds me of Rome... - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Took the tour. Interesting history. Beautiful Gilded Age home. The tour spent too much time on the current art exhibition thus the 3 stars. It's great that they have contemporary artist work on display but that's not why we visited the house. Tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly. read more

Fantastic "museum" for those interested in Gilded Age decorative arts and architecture. Splendid craftsmanship is on display in every corner. My favorite place is the smoking room. It feels like you stepped into a jewel box covered in the most beautiful tile work. Thank you to Mr. Dreihaus for preserving this gem. This is the museum I suggest to all our out of town guests. It's little known and something quite different from the city's larger institutions. read more

If you like architecture and magnificent homes the Driehaus Must go on your list to visit! This is by far the best restoration house museum in Chicago I've been to hands down. By the looks of the home, Richard Driehaus must have spent millions on this restoration. His personal belongings related to the period the house was lived in are on display and the house has more types of marble than you can count. The only negative is you have to go in person to sign up for a tour the day of and tours are limited to 10 people. I was unable to go on the first attempt b/c the tours were booked for the day. read more

I visited the Driehaus to tour the home last year and was absolutely captivated by its beauty. See it during the holidays to feast your eyes on simply gorgeous Christmas Trees! I visited again a few weeks ago for a fabulous (and free!) evening of advice for anyone planning a wedding. The food by Pure Kitchen was delicious as were the beverages. (yay, champagne!) The space would lend itself well to any upscale and cosmopolitan event. If your friends and family are the kind that would enjoy a cultured evening in a priceless mansion - this is the ticket! If your idea of a great party is two buck chuck in red cups, this isn't the place for you. I was able to gain valuable insight into what goes in to planning a wedding + reception, and I'm so grateful for the Driehaus staff (especially Jessica) and the panel of experts for taking the time to consult with anyone and everyone. Wedding topics such as lighting, makeup, wine, food, gowns and more were discussed; there was someone for every field and they were happy to share their knowledge. My partner and I still haven't picked our venue yet, but I'm confident that if we had a reception at the Driehaus, it would be a refined event that my friends and family would enjoy and talk about for years to come. read more

We stopped in to see what this place was and unfortunately we didn't have the time to spend touring the museum, but it's one of the few places that we have on our agenda for when we happen to be back in the Chicago area. If you can make time (I think they said about 2 hours), check this place out! The craftsmanship that you see is unbelieveable and it's so unfortunate that we don't still build with that kind of integrity and pride. Of course, it also took a lot of money. In any case, it appears to be a truly unique attraction surrounded by high rises. read more

Had an amazing time at the Driehaus back in April. The restored home is simply gorgeous with incredible attention to detail and treasures everywhere you look. We attended the Downton Abbey exhibit and tea and had a really delightful time. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly and I only wish we had been able to spend more time there. Very worth a visit, as well as checking out their ongoing special events. I look forward to going back next time in Chicago.... read more

Stunning museum. I'd recommend it to anyone visiting or living in Chicago. A beautiful representation of the Gilded Age. If the Driehaus Museum could add a tea shop, that would be even better. read more

Amazing! Beautiful!! It's a museum, set inside a historic home = heaven for me. I will admit I'm a bit more interested in historic homes, so I went more for that aspect. I didn't give it a 5, because you don't really learn much about the families' lives or stories- not as much as you would in an historic home typically. I also wanted to know how all the pieces original to the home returned or were acquired. Were they found, donated, purchased? How much? Otherwise the staff members were exceptionally professional. The audio guide (just $5 more) was extremely well done with images on the screen. The Louis Comfort Tiffany exhibit upstairs was beautiful, but we were more interested in the architecture & rooms, so we went through that more quickly. It did inspire us to find his other works inside the cultural center & Marshall Fields & Co the next day. When you're done, walk down 2 blocks & eat at Eataly!! read more

I attended the museum for a concert and was impressed! beautiful and historic! I would love to come back for a tour and fully experience the old victorian home read more

The house is luminously beautiful, and my husband and I had a wonderful time wandering through it on a Saturday morning. There was a guided tour beginning just as we came into the museum. While we preferred to wander through the museum on our own, every now and then I overheard interesting snippets of the guide's talk. On each of the three floors, staff offered to answer our questions about the house. Entry is expensive (10 bucks for me as a student, 20 for an adult), but it was worthwhile for the memorable experience. read more

A really lovely historic house, perfectly interpreted + a terrific Tiffany exhibition. Loved it and will return.

The Driehaus museum is located is a great spot for those staying close to the Miracle Mile and is a good break from shopping and sight-seeing. Unfortunately when we had arrived the tour was already underway so we had to tour the museum on our own. The price of $20 for admission into the museum is high compared to other similar attractions, especially when it does not provide a guided tour. While there are staff located on almost each floor able to answer questions, they often have to shift their attention to deal with people who are touching objects, opening doors, etc. Their role seems to be focused more on taking care of the house than providing information. From overhearing bits and pieces of the tour while going through the museum, my recommendation would be to only visit the museum if you are planning on taking a guided tour. Touring the facilities by yourself is interesting, however it is expensive for what you get to see and we were left with the feeling of "that's it?" and "a little bit of a rip-off". read more

Took the tour for an additional $5 on the admission price. The hour long tour was well worth it. The historical house (one of the oldest still standing in Chicago) harkens to post Chicago fire. Built for a wealthy banker, Samuel Nickerson. Although some parts are not original, any revisions were exquisitely done in the period. The detailed wainscoting and tile work is architecturally unique and impressive. When in Chicago, I highly recommend it if you are interested in residential architecture of the late 19th Century. read more

I took the $5 tour that lasted an hour. I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful mansion. I should have stuck to $20 for admittance and skipped the tour. The guide was very informative, too much tho. He rattled off a lot of boring info. He did admit to being a "history buff ". But the stuff I would have liked to hear about ( more family history) wasn't included, just details about the materials used in reconstruction. BORING read more

My parents were in from London so I wanted to show them some Chicago history. We were all blown away by both the opulence of the interior design and the high caliber of the paintings, sculptures, and glasswork. Certainly the best example of this period home that I have seen. Something to see wherever you look. The staff were very friendly and greeted us as soon as we walked in. At $20 per adult it's on the pricey side but sooner or later you need to check the Driehaus Museum off your list if you live in Chicago. read more

This is a gem! I purchased tickets for the guided tour online. It was an easy and process. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted. Our tour guide Amy did a great job! She was very well spoken and shared interesting facts. It was really neat to see some pieces original to the house. The house is impressive in so many ways - the amount and types of stone, the tile work, the attention to detail. Worth the money to visit and take the tour. read more

The staff were friendly and helpful. They answered all of our questions even though we didn't take the full tour. It's a beautiful space and an interesting piece of Chicago history. read more

A amazing place! It reminds me of the Isabella Stewart Gardener museum in Boston. As I live in Boston, I think the two museums are very similar because they are all houses owned by a family and have great artistic value. The Driehaus focuses on more American art rather than the universal value. The Boston Gardener one is more open to the world and it is expanding its modern wing. If you like the Driehaus, never miss the Gardener in Boston if you have the opportunity. The only thing I don't like is the Driehaus is too pricy but my student discount made it pretty reasonable( 10 instead of 20 dollars). Don't be fooled by the price and the location, I highly recommend anyone who is interested in art, architecture, history or social change to come. Staff members are very knowledgeable and friendly. Spent a quiet morning or afternoon in the museum would highlight your day and academic success. It is one of my favorite museums in Chicago. If I could visit Chicago again, I would definitely revisit the Drihaus, not the alder planetarium or the field museum. The permanent history and high artistic value would shape your American experience from the other mundane tourist culture. read more

Driehaus Museum - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My daughter and I just recently visited the museum, and what a remarkable experience. We were told a guided tour would be available in about 15 minutes, but because everything looked so fascinating, we were eager to begin our exploration of this stunning home immediately. We opted for the audio tour instead, which is quite good and informative, and the audio units are easy to use and work well. Aside from the apparent opulence of the home, and the wealth obviously required to construct it, it is the intricate detail and great thought given to the totality of the rooms and decor, which made the greatest impression. Nothing was just randomly in a room. We marvelled at the skill, and craftsmanship, and sheer artistic talents of those employed to carve wood cabinetry, millwork, lay the wood floors, the tile and marble work. And everything had to complement the entire design concept or purpose of the rooms. Details and intricacy are endless and abundant. It represented the taste of those who lived in the home, and their taste, perhaps in tandem with those of the interior designers, represented a high degree of elegance. The aesthetics are outstanding. We came away from our visit, feeling we had experienced a period of time, lifestyle and design long gone but lovingly restored, and faithful to the period. If we had lived at the time the house was just newly built and furnished, I imagine we would not have seen much beyond the entrance hall or perhaps the reception room at most. To see the smoking room, dining room, front parlor, library and music and gallery rooms was simply amazing. It is a quite an experience to peer into the past, and the people who lived such a rarified existence, surrounded by such opulence. We also saw the cartoon exhibit from the magazine Puck, and thought how wonderful the museum opens itself to ideas and themes representative of the era in which the home was built and lived in. If you are interested in architecture, interior design, art history, antiques, stained glass, Tiffany glass, or simply have a curiosity about the upper class from a bygone era, and the way in which they lived, this home will be of immense interest to you. As an addendum: the gift shop on the third floor is well worth a visit. The items chosen show great thought in their selection. They have interesting reproductions of items from the period, numerous resource books, lovely and unique jewelry . . . it is so far above most gift shops that feature t-shirts, note cards and magnets. My daughter plans to return to do some Christmas shopping! I usually find most museum gift shops not worth much of a look, but this one is notably different. read more

Pretentious and rude. After enjoying the museum, i was sitting outside of the museum atop of the concrete rail and reading my novel while the sun was setting. I even told passer-by the splendor of the interior of the Gilded Age. Resuming my novel, a few minutes go by and an employee said I can't be there. I asked why and wasn't given a good reason. Only that I can't sit there. Won't be telling any of my family and friends to come support this museum. read more

Unbelievable, gorgeous. This museum is a must-see. You get a glimpse into the Gilded Age. Each room that is open and available to the public (not all are open to the public) is meticulously restored with beautiful fixtures, architectural ornaments and the stellar Tiffany ceiling. This is truly a hidden gem. read more

Visited this museum last week and was I ever pleasantly surprised. This truly is a hidden gem in downtown Chicago. It is a beautifully restored mansion and words would not do it justice on how beautiful it is. I would recommend paying the extra five dollars to take the guided tour. Honestly, our tour guide, Matt, made this tour. His knowledge of the history of the mansion made this place come alive. So if you're looking for something a bit different on your visit to Chicago, I'd recommend visiting this mansion. It truly is a one of a kind mansion, especially in an urban setting like Chicago. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting this historic mansion turned museum. I was pleased to find that even the "public" bathrooms were period allowing more of an emersion experience. The staff was friendly and helpful, the gift shop had a nice selection of items. I only wish more of the rooms were restored and open to the public. A great experience for those wanting to get a feel for 'life in those times'!!! read more

This was an unexpected bonus on my trip to Chicago. We found out about it when we saw the Tiffany glass they have displayed at Navy Pier. Did not take a tour, but the staff were incredibly knowledgable and approachable. One of them actually took me into the men's restroom on the second floor to see how beautiful it was. She also opened up one of the walk in closets as well. It is a spectacularly restored Gilded Age mansion that is a must see for all who like this type of thing. They also had some very unique pieces of Tiffany from his very early years of experimentation that you don't get to see usually. read more

This is a hidden gem just a few blocks from the magnificent mile. See an astonishing residence of the 1890s. Well worth it!

Arrived at the Museum on a Friday. They had guided tours (6 people) or you can walk the home yourself. If you enjoy Art Deco type architecture go here! There are employees on each floor and are extremely helpful. Ask to see the servant quarters. They also had a special "tiffany" exhibit which was spectacular. This is a don't miss on your tourist map. The Museum is downtown and an easy walk to from anywhere. read more

This is a wonderful museum with great programming. We have been members and enjoyed it. As educators we took advantage, and much appreciated, their educator discounted membership. The membership was great because of all the special programming discounts for all members.The educator membership option has been taken away not because there were too many, and therefore perhaps too costly, but because there were too few. In other words, a membership level that was of no real cost, sent a great message, and was economically nice for educators (not a group that makes a large income) was removed because not enough people used it. That organizational logic baffles me -- low to no cost with good pr attached and it is discontinued. We, sadly, will not be rejoining the museum. read more

The most incredible house I've seen. We took the self guided tour. Take your time to read all the informative signage and really look at the superb craftsmanship covering every inch from floor to ceiling. I didn't want to leave. read more

A true gem right off magnificent mile. Exquisite furniture, molding, tile and ornaments. Magnificent collection of Tiffany lamps and an impressive display of furniture. The staff is warm and friendly (Kate went out of her way to welcome us). Stumbled in and super glad we did. Beautiful and elegant. read more

Art nouveau everywhere! This museum is just gorgeous. I've seen two exhibits here, a stained glass exhibit and a jewelry exhibit. Both were spectacular. The staff is warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable. Wonderful! read more

One of my favorite spots in Chicago. Thank you Mr Driehaus for your gift to Chicago and the world. This is a first class gilded age mansion which is restored to perfection. If you are a fan of Novels by Edith Wharton then you should go here...just like you should go to Leighton House in London. Every item is either original or selected perfectly to match the rest of the decor. read more

This museum focuses on the decorative arts and boasts impressive decorative and architectural features too numerous to list in addition to the many Tiffany items from the driehaus collection. That said, it focuses pretty much on the goods and not so much on the people and society of the house's heyday. The kitchen and staff quarters have been converted into an admissions area and administrative space so there's little to be seen of how the house actually functioned day to day. That seems to leave out half the story if you ask me. If you do the guided tour and get a choice of groups, go for the guide who looks friendliest. Ours was a delightful woman named Jean and we had a lovely tour, the rest were intimidating gorgons. read more

One of a kind Chicago museum. The only thing more beautiful than the history was the informed and passionate staff, who answered all of my crazy questions. Next time I plan on finding the master bedroom and just making the place my home! read more

This review is for the museum and the Dressing Downton exhibit, not the tea service. The costumes were fun to see but we were equally taken by the stunning home that is now the museum. The craftsmanship of the structure is amazing. Definitely worth the trip, particularly if they are featuring a special exhibit at the same time. read more

Ducked in here to hide from the rain and I'm glad I did. This is a beautifully restored gilded age house and well worth the price of admission. Even better, there's an exhibit of Tiffany glass right now that is great and goes well with the house. I'm so glad I spent my time here rather than trekking over to one of the more mainstream touristy museums. read more

Saw this place as we circled the neighborhood looking for parking to go to breakfast. Then went there afterwards and took the hour-long tour. Although a bit pricey, it was totally worth it ($25/person). The interior is just stunning and learning about the architecture and design was very interesting. Didn't know a home like that existed in Chicago so well preserved. They were just decorating it for Xmas and hold special events as well. Next year, they are holding a special Tiffany collection exhibit. Go! read more