Wow, this place is the local hidden gem I thought it was.  I tried to come here a couple of years…read moreago, but it was closed due to Covid.  It's a quiet, unassuming place but for just a modest $5 admission ($5 for seniors, and $7 otherwise), you can see a lot of neat American Indian artifacts, artwork, history, and information.  I really enjoyed my 75 minute visit, and that's maybe all you may need (1-2 hours) to peruse their two floors.  You can look at my photos for an idea of what's there, but I had 2 notable personal highlights.  One was seeing a map of North America that showed the names of 1200 tribes(!) and their locations, and that was quite impressive I thought.  Most you wouldn't know, but many of the famous ones you would, from movies and what not.  The other highlight was meeting and chatting with Josee Starr, the staffer that initially greeted me.  There were actually 2 friendly staffers - her and a fellow named Joseph Gackstetter, but I met Josee upon entering and she was the only one there at the time.  After my milling around, I finally got up my nerve to ask her if she was at least partially American Indian as she looked the part, and yippee-yayaay, she told me she was 99% American Indian and 1% French (fur trader French).  Very cool, and she has tracked her genealogy back 9 generations!  I only really knew of one other full native American in my life (an old work colleague), so this was a treat.  I also took the opportunity to give her fellow staffer Joseph some hell for being just a regular Caucasian working here (lol, and he took the kidding in stride).  I highly recommend this place for some cultural enlightenment, and also as a great place to educate youngsters.

I've been wanting to visit the Mitchell Museum since I learned about it about a year ago. It's a…read morevery small museum--you might pass it and not realize what it is, or maybe think it's a church or something. In two stories, they tell you a bit about the history of Native Americans the US and Canada, with a particular emphasis of the history of Native peoples in the city and region. The museum is about 45 years old and one of the few that focuses exclusively on this population. I spent about an hour and a half viewing the exhibits. The various exhibits introduced various indigenous groups (Plains, Woodlands, etc.) and how those groups lived. There were displays of the crafts, both ceremonial and utilitarian, that each tribe was known for, and they were careful to share in most or all instances how those crafts and traditions changed pre- and post-contact. Upstairs there was a section that talked about the presence of American Indians in Chicago and the near region, from explaining the atrocities that the government perpetrated against them to simply explaining the origins of well-known Chicago areas such as Portage Park, Sauganash, and Caldwell Woods. When I visited, there was an exhibit about missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW). Long ignored, indigenous women are by far the most endangered when it comes to the murder or disappearance of these women. Women on reservations are ten times more likely to end up part of the MMIW, and in just the last few years (2019, I believe) over 5,500 indigenous women were missing or murdered. Too long this has been a crisis that has been ignored by majority culture. Although the exhibit as a whole was very powerful, Nayana LaFond's contribution to the exhibit was especially moving. She paints images of MMIW that have been provided to her by family or friends of the missing women. She explained that she hadn't intended for it to become a project, but once she started receiving dozens of requests for paintings she couldn't turn down some and not others. The Mitchell Museum will be doing some programming soon, and I think that part of that programming in May will be related to MMIW education and causes. There's a small parking lot in back--probaly enough for three to four cars. But when I was here (on a Tuesday in April), I was the only one here for most of the time so I think parking won't be an issue. For an adult non-tribal member, entrance was only $7 (2023). There is a lift (not an elevator) from the main floor to the lower level, but I'm not sure if there's any way to ascend to the second floor besides the stairs so you may want to inquire about that if climbing the stairs would be difficult.

Chicago land exhibit- while in Evanston, I was able to visit the Block Museum twice ! They had a…read morevery interesting exhibit focused on the American Indians and their art !! They had some amazing pieces. Some from natural sweetgrass, lots of paintings and lots of basket weaving techniques!! Great installation and totally free and sponsored by Northwestern university . Totally ten star experience!! Highly recommended !!

So weird to have security follow my every step through this place. As an older woman I am hardly…read moregiving theft vibes. I felt stalked. ‍ Lighten up and back off....I'm just here to look at the art that was reportedly "open to everyone" (But the art is cool... so I gave it 2 stars)

It was a small but very cute place for kids and families! My 8 and 2 yo enjoyed it!! There's a…read moretoddler area where you have to take off your shoes- so I highly recommend wearing socks! There's also a water area and there's some aprons for the kids to wear. My kids still managed to get wet - so maybe also a change of clothes will be a good idea!

Came here for the first time for a birthday party so I wasn't sure what to expect. The place was…read morerecently renovated so things did not seem that dated. There was a variety of different areas to play in, different pretend areas- veterinary, building and grocery. There was a big climbing structure to get into with a variety of different obstacles inside. And there was a water play area. Overall a lot of variety for the space. The things were well maintained. The room was also kept pretty warm.

I spent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here in 2025, wanting to avoid news of the inauguration…read more Though I'd been at the museum for special events, like lectures, I'd never visited the main exhibit. The volunteers at the desk were super friendly and helpful. When I mentioned it was my first visit, they gave suggestions on how to maximize my time. The exhibit is put together incredibly thoughtfully. Walking through the chronology with photos, artifacts, and videos from Chicago-area family was powerful. I recommend really allocating time to read and observe everything, as the story unfolds completely. I was frustrated by other patrons who were having conversations about the worst road trip they've ever been on. There weren't staff in the exhibit, so I addressed it myself and asked them to step outside to continue the conversation or to be more respectful. They were appropriately embarrassed. I'm not sure if it's normal for their not to be volunteers or staff, but it would have been helpful had that situation escalated. I participated in one of the VR experiences where the audience can ask questions of a survivor, whose answers are the result of hundreds of hours of interviews. Not only was the experience amazing, but it was humbling to think of survivors spending all of those hours relieving their experiences so that generations can continue to learn directly from them. I will definitely be returning - there was more to see and do - and I'm grateful for the volunteers and staff who maintain this experience.

This museum is even more impactful to me than the big Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. For…read morehistory buffs, this is very well laid out, and I am sure they'd approve. For those who grew up isolated/protected from the dark and tragic stories of human history, this museum will open your eyes and hearts to the truth in a way you can slowly and understandingly absorb. It is truly excellent, and the staff are knowledgeable without a guilt-trip attitude towards visitors. Start with a long pause at the memory wall/fountains outdoors (weather permitting) to quiet your soul and prepare for the exhibits inside. For me, after going through the interior, I like to stop again at the outdoor memory wall before heading to the parking lot, and say a prayer.

Very much enjoyed visiting this local museum. The normal hours didn't work for me since I work…read moreduring the day but after connecting with the museum I was able to visit when they were open for an event. This was a great museum that showcased the history of Skokie very well. I highly recommend visiting if you're interested in smaller local history museums, Skokie history or fire history since it's in the old fore station

Christopher and I stumbled upon this sweet little museum on our weekly gallivant. I spotted the log…read morecabin from the public parking lot and curiosity compelled us to investigate. I am going through my second childhood these days, but it is far better than the first because I have a deeper curiosity, and a longer attention span to couple with a sense of wonder. Therefore, finding myself in a small museum, filled with old firehouse equipment and memorabilia made me happier than a pig in merde. We also found out that Babyface Nelson was killed and his body dumped in St. Paul's Cemetery not too far away. As a big fan of Chicago's old gangster history I can't believe I never knew this, but that is what cute little museums are for. All you have to do is ask and they will give you a tour of the log cabin. It is the oldest structure in Skokie, dating back to 1847. The inside is decorated in period furnishings, complete with a cast iron stove. The land around it is planted with Illinois prairie plants to create a true feeling of the region. What a delightful little treasure to find in downtown Skokie. They offer an interesting and inexpensive birthday party for kids that includes tours, ice cream making and candle dipping, plus table decorations, plates and napkins for $150 for 12 kids. To me that sounds like a good deal. Anyhow, this place is well worth checking out, especially because it is free!!! They do have a donation jar, so be cool and slip them a few bucks!!! Museum hours are 12 to 4 PM on Thursday and Friday and 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturday and Sunday (seasonal hours, call to confirm). They also provide various special events throughout the year, call for information. (847) 674-1500 ext. 3000

I chaperoned a large group to the Evanston History Center in the Charles Dawes House on a weekday…read moremorning and we had a great time. Susan, our tour guide, was very informative and knowledgeable. I easily could have listened to what she had to say for another hour. The house itself is truly amazing. Everything, including the contents are as they were in the 1950s when the Dawes family last resided there. Prior to visiting the EHC I had no idea that Charles Gates Dawes was the Vice President to Calvin Coolidge or that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize for 1925. I really enjoyed the "Milestones & Memories: An Exhibit of Evanston History" on the 2nd floor. Many famous actors hail from Evanston and some of our favorite toys were created in the city. Free parking. If you reside in or around Evanston or you're just visiting the area I highly recommend visiting the Evanston History Center; for it's rich history and so much more. Make a day of it and check out some of the many other unique museums in Evanston: The Frances Willard House Museum, The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, The American Toby Jug Museum, the Prehistoric Museum at Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop or the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

At first I balked at the $10 entrance fee. I mean, I figured that it was probably more than just a…read morecreaky old house, but it also had the potential to cost me ten bucks for a brief, boring tour and a few dusty artifacts. I was wrong though: in the end I felt that we got our money's worth. This kind of attraction is best partaken in a small group with a guide; on a solo tour, you might wander around nodding admiringly at each of the cool old rooms and then call it a day after fifteen minutes. Thanks to the organized tour, we learned a lot that guests would miss on their own. Our docent gave us a thorough general history of the house, and the Sheppard and Dawes families, but she also highlighted many extra details--architectural, historical, and personal--that made the tour worthwhile. The house itself is intriguing and handsome, although, on a November late afternoon, perhaps a little too dark to appreciate fully. The main hall is an impressive sight to see upon first entering. Another fascinating room is the kitchen, which they have preserved mostly as it would have been in the 30s. There is a display case full of period cookbooks, some with whimsical titles such as "What Shall We Eat Tonight?" My favorite room by far--just like Dawes himself--was the library. This is the kind of antiquarian, bibliophiliac fantasy playroom that hardly exists anymore, much to my chagrin (until I win the lottery that is). It's the classy, English-manor version of the ultimate man cave. There is a third floor with ballroom and servants quarters, that is not open to the public because the main staircase was never finished. That's a shame. Also, the second floor is used for offices and the "modern" museum portion of the Evanston History Center. The main exhibit room is well worth some time. I spent about 30 to 40 minutes up there and still didn't read every single piece. But I learned many interesting tidbits that I never knew despite 17 years of living in and around Evanston. So, combining the house itself, the upstairs museum, and the expertise of the tour guides, the Dawes House/EHC is well worth ten dollars and ninety minutes of your time.

We had our wedding at the Halim and could not be happier with our choice. The venue was perfect in…read moreevery way. The staff was incredibly accommodating, helpful, and fun. They took care of everything for us to make our day very stress free. We could not stop getting compliments from our guests about how beautiful the space is. The Halim is also in such a convenient location in Evanston. Close to hotels, and downtown Evanston. We also had a lot of guests tell us it was some of the best food they have ever had a wedding. Props to the kitchen for sure! Everything was so tasty. Definitely recommend checking out the Halim if you are looking to host your wedding in Evanston.

I attended my niece's wedding here and it was the most gorgeous venue I have ever seen in my life…read more Grand main dining area with cozy spots all over. It felt very personal and can I just say- you will never find another backdrop for pictures such as this place. We all enjoyed staying locally in Evanston as there were plenty of nice things to see in the area.

Total waste of time…read more I have wanted to see inside Willard House for a long time. I initially called the number on the website and was told that tours were only available during certain months. So I waited and called again during those months. I was told that the earliest available tour was three weeks later, on a Wednesday at 11 a.m.--not exactly convenient for a working person. When I asked about weekends, I was told they weren't possible. So I arranged my schedule and showed up at the agreed-upon time today. No one was there. When I called, the woman I had made the appointment with told me that she had never put the tour on her schedule. She did not apologize. She did not offer an explanation or make any effort to rectify the situation. I repeated our previous conversation to her, including the date and time we had agreed upon. Her response was, "So how should we proceed?" Seriously? You made an appointment at a time that was convenient for you, failed to show up for it, and couldn't even offer a simple apology to the person who rearranged her schedule and came to the house? I had been looking forward to visiting Willard House for a long time. Instead, I wasted my morning because of someone else's mistake and was treated as though it were somehow my responsibility to figure out what should happen next. Don't waste your time. Based on my experience, the person running the tours was extraordinarily unprofessional and discourteous.

Showed up to try to visit the museum. Came from ny. Only here for the day. Place is not open. Only…read moreby appointment. I called the number posted to see if we could get in- woman who answered was rude and said its only open for appts on wednesdays. As a graduate if Emma Willard, Frances Willard's feminist cousin's school for women, I was really looking forward to seeing this site. Very disappointed.

Almost everyone you meet in Chicago who loves their city will ask when you tell them you are…read morevisiting from out of town, "Have you done the architectural boat tour?" People in Amsterdam will also ask if you have done a canal boat tour - and you have to do these when you visit these cities. Our docent volunteer guide, Steve, was excellent. He was very personable and extremely knowledgeable about the city's riverside buildings and its history. The boat staff was also hardworking and ready to help with any issues, from getting a drink at the boat's downstairs bar to handing out covers when the rain hit us. For what we paid, the 1.5 hour tour was more than worth it. I recommend sitting at the top towards the back, as you don't have to crane your neck as much when he points out places of interest. This was a truly wonderful experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Not what I expected overall but it was still a very educational experience. Scoring tickets to…read moreChicago's Architecture Center through our hotel, we used the tickets as a good time filler. Not a must see or do attraction but a great day filler activity as you explore the city. Loved the wealth of information they offer as it's valuable to understand Chicagos importance from the ground up! I thought it would be more about highlighting the amazing architectural buildings around the city but nothing like that. It's was more about the environmental impact the city has and the hurdles when designing buildings around town. The staff were friendly at check in and provided great service overall as they were kind and helpful. Small center that you may explore at your own pace and may or may not be worth the admission price. But scoring free tickets it allowed us to be selective in our day or day plans to include the activity to pay it a visit!