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    Money Museum

    4.7 (96 reviews)
    Special Hours 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    Money Museum Photos

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    Regina C.

    Need something to do in Chicago that's free? Definitely stop by the Money Museum inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. It was so interesting how it talked about the history of American currency and how inflation happens throughout the years. You also get to test whether a bill is fake or real as well as be a consultant and see if you would approve someone of a loan or not. Very fun activity, don't miss out on it!

    One million dollars impacted by inflation exhibit
    Cheryl T.

    Really fun and free interactive museum inside the Federal Reserve Bank. Make sure that all adults on the visit have a form of official identification (driver's license, passport, etc.). On the way in you have to walk through detectors, you have to take out cell phones/electronics, and your bag gets scanned. Inside are really nice interactive exhibits. I'd say that it's definitely not something that young kids would find interesting, but definitely good for tweens and up. The finding counterfeit money identification and understanding inflation was a hit. We spent around half an hour inside with the exhibits. While you are in there, you can't help but think of Austin Powers/Dr. Evil saying 'One Million Dollars' while trying to run away with the million dollar cube. You can't take a million dollars, but you can get a free bag of shredded money 'Fed Shreds'.

    Money museum - free admission
    Gellie E.

    This was a fun little and FREE museum that we stopped by when we were visiting Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. Located at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, you just need to show your ID at the front desk, and then security will buzz you in. You'll put your bags through the scanners and walk through the metal detectors. Once you clear security, you can enter the museum. They have several displays of pieces of money and explain the history of money. They have interactive activities to identify counterfeit bills and several photo op spots - put your face in a $100 and $2 bill, snap a pic of a cube of one million dollar $1 bills, a dome of one million dollars in $20 bills, and take a pic with a sleek case of one million dollars in $100 bills! There were also free samples of shredded money - "Fed Shreds" - in a small bin. At first glance, it looked like a trash can, but upon closer examination, there was actually a note that said to grab your free money sample here (one per person). This was a cute little take home souvenir to commemorate our visit. I definitely recommend popping in if you find yourself in the area!

    Mia K.

    Fun, interactive museum that's in a bank! Saw actual money from centuries past and learned that American soldiers once had their own currency. You can try to guess which bills are counterfeit and play around with a inflation display. Great photo opportunities with a cube of one million dollars in single bills and a briefcase of one million dollars! Plus free admission with complimentary bag of shredded money.

    Allison L.

    Cool little FREE museum! Stopped by here during my first trip to Chicago. There are some interactive activities and historical information that was interesting. You can see what one million dollars looks like too! It's pretty small so you'll prob only spend 30 minutes here, but I'd recommend you check it out!

    Hunter S.

    I'm giving it five stars because it is interesting and kinda unusual! There are several educational displays teaching about the evolution of money, displaying all the different types/coins/bills from the beginning of bartering until today. You also learn about the federal reserve, inflation. There are super neat displays that show various iterations of a million dollars. There is a huge cube of one dollar bills (which weighs over 2000 pounds). There is a stack of twenties. There is a case of Benjamin's. You learn about Alexander Hamilton, the centralization of currency, how money is minted, and how to spot counterfeit money. There are a lot of interactive displays that would be very cool! Except the video/talking displays are so close together that if you're playing one and someone else is playing the next one, it makes it a cacophony of misery. This spot is also pretty small and can get quite crowded. You do have to show an ID upon entry, walk through a medical detector, and send all the items on your person through an X-ray machine. Free and overall fun, but I found it tough to enjoy to the fullest because of the small size and closely spaced displays.

    Eleanor B.

    The Chicago fed museum was a cool and Free museum to learn history about money recommend especially for families with kids

    Million dollars - A boy wearing a metallic hat and a necklace stands beside a display case containing fake hundred-dollar bills at a museum exhibit about money.

    It's free and you have great photo opportunities with a million dollars and free shredded money. There's a lot of great history and interactive activities. Be sure to bring an ID (if old enough to have one) and be aware that your items will be scanned when coming in. We stayed for 30 minutes or so but could be longer.

    Alien Invasions? This is a problem for The Fed!
    Matt R.

    As chairman of the federal reserve board, I can handle anything. Including Aliens. In case anyone's asking, the answer is: it's aliens. And possibly lowering rates. Jpow can handle inflation, I'll handle the Aliens. Be aware you're going to need to go through a metal scanner to get in and will be asked to show your ID before that. This is a fun place! It has a lot of interesting things in there. It's honestly a good location with people of all ages, and it's a reasonable stop if you're going downtown from Ogilvie as this place is effectively in the middle in either direction. The one thing I did notice is that the scanners/lights/etc for counterfeit money were malfunctioning or in disrepair. In either case, they weren't working. So I guess that means everyone can go counterfeit some money since the Fed can't stop you! Don't let The Man get you down! I kid. Additionally, I did see some spanish materials for those who may also benefit from multilingual options.

    This is what one million dollars looks like in hundreds packed into a suitcase.
    Larry H.

    Museum was great! It is a tiny museum and I would not make a special trip to see it on it's own. It is great for kids. Maybe it teaches them the value of money? Well at least it teaches the history and how to spot a counterfeit. Parking is expensive in the area but, if your around it's free and not a big time commitment.

    Brittany C.

    This place is truly fascinating to visit and explore the world of money! What's even better is that admission is free. As a souvenir, you can even take home a bag of shredded money. One of the highlights for me was discovering old colonial currency, something I had never seen before. The museum has numerous captivating exhibits, including ones that teach you how to detect counterfeit money, delve into the history of currency, explain the impact of inflation on money, reveal what money is made of, and showcase the life cycle of currency through an incredible and massive marble display. Although I wished I could have witnessed the money-making process firsthand, I understand that it's not possible due to security reasons probably. Such neat and educational outing. To fully absorb all the information and truly appreciate the museum, plan for about 2 hours and be prepared to dive into the fascinating world of money. Don'[t forget your photo ID as you must have this to get in and you must go through a security scanner.

    Coins in the floor (as you walk in!)
    Shriya S.

    Came here with friends on a weekday! It's not very well-known that you can just walk in, but it's a great free museum located in the bank that's educational and fun! Although the museum is small, you learn a lot about the history and process of printing money and preventing theft and fraud. You do need to go through security if you wanna check it out, which is reassuring. Doesn't take that long to walk through either. They even had a curator sitting at her desk ready to answer any questions you may have! They also give out shredded money as souvenirs. Definitely would recommend checking this out if you're by Union Station.

    Michael K.

    Can't really complain, as it was free. Nice 40 minute stop. Only complaint is we had to come back another day because we didn't know we needed an ID.

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    Small museum about how money works in America. Pretty cool. It's free and child friendly.

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    Ask the Community - Money Museum

    Review Highlights - Money Museum

    The good thing is you will be able to leave with a few souvenirs (a bag of shredded money) many memories of pics.

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

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