The museum is free and a nice place to stop in if you have kids and are walking around downtown…read moreWheaton. They have a charming train display on the lower level that children tend to love! The main floor focuses on local Illinois history. It's a small place, and the upper level is currently under construction, but being free makes it well worthwhile even as they spruce things up.

All of you that took pictures inside should be ashamed of yourselves. It's clearly posted…read morethroughout, now go sit in the corner for 10 minutes and reflect on your rebellious nature. Ok, so first of all it's free. But, you can make donations ($4 is "suggested") I like places like this and was happy to make a donation. The building is cool, it was built by John Quincy Adams (distant relative to the former President) as a Library, he lived across the street and gifted this wonderful building to the community. Why only 3 stars you ask? I wanted to click 4 stars.. but when it said "Yay! I'm a fan." I just couldn't. I'm glad that I went once, but that was enough. Many of the displays are specific to only a few families that have made extensive donations of items, this is cool except that I was looking for more specific information on the formation of the towns throughout the county. Also, maybe some juicy gossip.. like the stuff about the how Wheaton became the County Seat.. or how the towns were named.. etc.. and maybe some founder's pictures. The first room on the left is the main exhibit (and to me most interesting) There are some nice period pieces of clothing and family pictures. Quite a bit of information about the trains (and the stations and architects) that run through DuPage County and the Illinois Prairie Path that took some of their places. I spent the most time in this room. It's easy to walk by, but when you first enter the museum, on the right is a display about the building worth looking at.. pictures of the museum going back to the horse and buggy days.. almost missed that because we were engaged with the people at the desk right away. (very friendly) I didn't get the train exhibit in the basement, it was operational (push the button) on the day we were there and held our interest for all of a few moments.. I think you have to know and understand about these things. I was distracted by the placement of the buildings/locations in relation to the tracks, things were out of whack. I know it's supposed to be impressive.. but I was kind of "meh" The second floor used to have a stage and seating. That's been removed but the room is still attractive with it's tall ceiling. It's worth a visit, but I wouldn't plan a day around it.

Cantigny is beautiful in all seasons. It's become a favorite place for my daughter and I to go with…read morethe grandkids. There is something to enjoy for all ages. Last year, they had a row of swings suspended from the trees near the parking lot. It was always a highlight of our visits. In 2026 there is only one swing and it's near the tanks, so there is a wait to use the swing. Cantigny is a bargain because they charge admission by carload instead of individually. Admission is only $6.00 on weekdays, and Wednesday is free if you register in advance.

Updated Review: We…read morewanted to see the 1893 Columbian Exposition exhibits that are thru out the gardens paying tributes to the Architecture,Culture and Foods that debuted at the Worlds Fair. In the Summer,the gardens are full of color! We like to go on Wednesday as the parking is free as long as you pre-register online otherwise it is 6.00. This offer is available March thru October. A real Hidden Gem in the Western suburbs.

I wish I could give the Wade Center 10 stars on Yelp! It's an over-the-top experience to visit and…read moreget a full tour if you're a CS Lewis and/or JRR Tolkien fan! This museum and library is located right on the Wheaton College campus. Currently (September 2022), a meditation garden is being landscaped outside of the back exit, the design of which is inspired by "The Hobbit." My hubby and I have taken so many out-of-town guests here, and recently some local relatives who had never been! Each time I join a tour, I learn something new. The tour guides and staff are so learned!

I heard about this place through Roadside America and am so glad I went. It was amazing to see…read moreTolkien's desk (on which The Hobbit and parts of the Silmarillion were written), C.S. Lewis's desk, and his wardrobe... yes, THAT wardrobe. The staff are so friendly and were kind enough to take pictures of me with the objects. No admission cost!

This free, educational museum was a fun way for me family and me to spend an afternoon. Miss Grace…read moreis a personable, knowledgeable, and inspired interest in the exhibits. The model train set was an unexpected bonus!

Free, educational and fun. Great seasonal programs. A working blacksmith shop and a quaint little…read morestore. Lots to see and enjoy. Nearby Main st. offers good dining options

We came to view the Hokusai & Ukiyo-E: The Floating World exhibit at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art…read moreat the College of DuPage. Ukiyo-e means "pictures of the floating world," and this art style features scenes from everyday 17th - 19th-century Japan, like entertainment, kabuki, geisha, etc. This style had an impact on the Impressionists like Van Gogh. This exhibition has the debut of the Chiossone Collection, 53 paintings and woodblock prints of ukiyo-e. Prior to this exhibit, the only ukiyo-e artwork that I would have been familiar with is the famous "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. But this exhibit "rides the wave," creating an immersive and multifaceted experience. Not only do you learn about other artists and their works, you can see original paintings and prints, walk-through an Edo-era street, visit an immersive manga/anime exhibit in "2D", make your own print, visit a garden and more. It was a little confusing how to enter the the historical exhibit (we weren't the only ones), but the info is presented in a very approachable way. That Hokusai, what a character -- He changed his name 30 times, He hated to clean so when his living quarters were messy -- he moved -- 93 times! The manga/anime exhibit was very fun -- with the 2D artwork panels created by the 2D restauranteurs. I was also impressed by the many events planned throughout DuPage county -- so many towns participating. The gift shop items were great! The only thing -- we came on a weekday and only ramen and hotdogs were available -- other items available on the weekend. In any case, I was quite impressed with the exhibit -- and I would recommend it for all ages.

I've been here many times through the years for exhibitions. Andy Warhol, Frieda. This one was…read moreHokusai. Beautifully curated display. Many interactive stations. After each area, you stamped a booklet that corresponds with the art displayed. The staff are knowledgeable & friendly. We came on a Wednesday after 2:30 and the price was discounted.

We went to the museum expecting to see a few old photos and not much else. Instead we stepped…read moreseemingly back in time to an immersive experience of a founding Downers Grove family. The curator clearly pours her heart and soul into curating every aspect of the museum, from the objects in the house to information about the people who walked its walls. We even walked through the cellar where the family hid people for the Underground Railroad. The long history of the house is imbued with mysteries and surprising details about how people used to live... paintings hidden in the walls, a wife's letters kept from past suitors, a wreath of faux flowers made from feathers... we were absolutely floored. We spent over an hour learning so much about American history through the prism of this fascinating house. Bravo!

An interesting local museum with about half a Victorian house on display; special exhibits in the…read morebarn; and another building visible only from the outside. Small wildflower walk. It's free (donations happily accepted). This was perhaps a stop on the underground railroad, though there's no proof. Visit is on your own, and a couple of rooms are given over to administrative purposes. Check out a small selection of items that are marked "please touch" (notably some items in the kitchen, such as the irons heated on the stove during the period; a period corset; etc.). The stereopticons (they have 2) are not included in "please touch" and are positioned so you can't actually use them, which is frustrating (hoping they'll buy a stand). In a hallway upstairs are photos and capsule bios of some noted DG citizens; I had no idea noted Egyptologist Henry Breasted had a connection. Signage is somewhat lacking, though there are small cards in most rooms asking kids "can you find {list of items}?" which will help you find some things. The barn includes an early/midcentury fire truck lovingly restored, with displays on the 1976 Bicentennial painted fire hydrants; a beloved firefighter who dressed as a clown to teach kids about fire safety. The temporary exhibit on travel was interesting, and the staff was preparing for a "Victorian dinner." Overall, worth a look if you have an interest in local history or the lives and possessions of the Victorian well-to-do. Did I mention it's free?

This is one of those small museums only open part of the year. Summer of 2023 they're only open the…read moresecond and third Saturdays from May-September. There are about 10-11 rooms, and apparently each season they have a theme; this year's is "Vacations We Have Taken," so the rooms are full of souvenirs from various 1890-1920s destinations. This house museum is more modern than most of the others in the area; the kitchen downstairs is set to about 1941 (which is still a lot more primitive than I had expected). Most of the people living in the house were women; there is a lot of lacework (doilies; tatting framed on the wall; fancy edges on the tablecloth and towels) and some really lovely beaded purses laid out in the rooms upstairs (some in-progress beadwork is included in the upstairs sewing room). The bedrooms are completely roped off, so you'll get a better view of the other rooms which have at least some access. The house is renowned for its garden; apparently the West Chicago Garden Club was brought back into existence to bring it to its original glory, which they've certainly done. House is smack in a residential district, and there is parking with room for maybe 3 cars in the back (go up the narrow driveway and follow the sign).

The grounds are really pretty, unfortunately we didn't see the inside. We arrived after 11 on a…read moreSaturday when they stated they would be open, but the doors were locked. We walked around the grounds and enjoyed the view, tried the door again and left. We would have loved to go inside and see all that they had. Hopefully it was just a fluke that they weren't open.

My husband and I visited the Glen Ellyn Historical Society on a Saturday morning. On this morning…read morethere was an antique car show on the campus of the museum. This was a fun event getting to see these well cared for classic cars. Inside the main building you will several permanent exhibits, bathrooms, a gift shop, and a model jail in their gift shop. The jail setup makes for some fun pictures. Stacy's Tavern, a historic home and business, was also open with knowledgeable tour guides to explain the building and answer questions. The Glen Ellyn Historical Society is fun for the whole family and comes highly recommend!

Was in the area for dinner and walked around downtown which looked pretty deserted on a week night…read morebut this piece of history caught my eye.

This museum is inside Cantigny park and others have written reviews for it under that heading…read more(https://www.yelp.com/biz/cantigny-park-wheaton) but I feel that the museum is a separate entity (it has its own website, phone number, and operating hours). Just know that you have to pay whatever the current parking fee is for the park to even be able to get in and see the museum (I wonder how they'd handle it if you just walked in to the park?). That fee changes seasonally. When I went in late spring, it was a beautiful day and they were charging $15 per car. There seems to be a lot of other activities to do at the park, but I had limited time, so I only went to the museum (walking through the tank park first). The museum is free. On entering the museum, I went to the left, which is a series of displays about more modern warfighters (Vietnam to current). It was good, but my pro tip is to go to the right first. This was an amazing recreation of WWII battle scenes with an extraordinary amount of detail. The park immediately in front of the museum has a variety of tanks and, surprisingly, they let you climb on them. I saw many kids and adults taking photo ops on the tanks.

Great experience. Admission was $16/car. In addition to the museum, there is a visitor center,…read moreplayground, tank park, walking trail and more. On location is also a golf course and cafe. I would recommend going to the visitors center as a first stop (north parking lot), then make your way to the museum (South Park lot). The museum is sectioned into two parts: WWI, WWII and Vietnam eras and a "modern" section of the 1ID's recent involvements. This museum was very interesting and it was clear that there is a lot of attention to detail in this immersive experience. The grounds were well taken care of and the bathrooms were clean. While there I saw families and people of all ages enjoying the space and learning about the history of the 1ID. Outside of the museum is also steel from the World Trade Center (9/11). Very informative and great way to spend an afternoon.