The mission of Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center is expressed in our founding principle: “Remember the Past, Transform the Future.” The Museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Holocaust by honoring the memories of those who were lost, and by teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice, and indifference.
Hours of Operation
The Museum is open Wednesday through Monday, 10 am through 5 pm. We welcome our last visitors at 4:00 pm, one hour before closing. Parking is free, and a bicycle rack is available near the south parking lot. Mornings (before noon) are often busy with field trips – if you wish to avoid large student groups, we advise visiting after noon. You can download a printable map of the Museum (Español) before arriving.
The Museum will be closed on the following dates in 2025:
- New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 1st Museum Closed
- Passover Saturday, April 12th (Erev) Museum Closed @ 2pm
- Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 22nd (Erev) Museum Closed @ 2pm
Tuesday, September 23rd Museum Closed - Yom Kippur Wednesday, October 1st Museum Closed @ 2pm
Thursday, October 2nd Museum Closed - Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27th Museum Closed
- Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24th Museum Closed @ 2pm
- Christmas Day Thursday, December 25th Museum Closed
Tickets
Please note that we are a cashless Museum. General admission and Legacy Shop purchases can be made with contactless payment or a debit/credit card.
- Adults: $18
- Seniors (65+): $12
- Students (up to age 22 with valid student ID): $8
- Children (5-11): $6
- Children (under 5): Free
Your ticket will note our opening time, 10 am. However, you may enter the Museum on the date of your visit anytime between 10 am and 4 pm, and stay until our 5 pm closing time.
General admission includes access to all current special exhibitions. For no additional cost, visitors can add The Journey Back virtual reality experience [20-30 min.] and the holographic theater Survivor Stories Experience [30-45 min.] to their tickets.
Both the virtual reality gallery and holographic theater require timed tickets. Visitors must arrive on time to attend. Virtual reality technology is not recommended for children under age 12, and children under age 10 will not be admitted into the virtual reality gallery.
Purchase ticketsFor assistance, please call the Museum at 847.967.4800.
Discounts & Promotions
Members enjoy free admission daily.
Admission is FREE on the last Friday of the month! Reserve your tickets >>
Museums For All – Please present your Link card/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card with matching photo ID for free admission (plus up to 3 guests).
North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association – If you are a member of a participating NARM institution, please present your membership card with NARM sticker for complimentary admission.
Active & Retired/Veteran Military personnel – Please present your Military ID for a 50% discount on admission (plus up to 5 family members).
Visitors with disabilities – Eligible for a 50% discount.
Additional Experiences
All visitors are welcome to take our free self-guided audio tour, available in English, Spanish, French, Polish, Hebrew, Japanese, Ukrainian, and Russian. We encourage visitors to bring their own headphones and download the tour before arriving at the Museum.
Audio tour information
The Museum provides free docent-led tours of Zev & Shifra Karkomi Holocaust Exhibition daily at 2 pm (based on docent availability, for up to 20 participants). Visitors can participate in the tour by signing up at the Information Desk and gathering in the dark side lobby five minutes before 2 pm, where they will be greeted by the docent.
The Museum also offers group tours, field trips, and facility rentals for private events.
Directions to Illinois Holocaust Museum
The Museum is located at 9603 Woods Drive in Skokie, Illinois, convenient to I-94 and the Chicago downtown area.
Get Directions from GooglePrintable Map and Directions
From North I-94
Take the Edens Expressway (I-94) east to the Old Orchard exit. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Old Orchard Road. Turn left onto Woods Drive, about 1/4 mile down.
From South I-94
Take the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) west. Merge onto the Edens Expressway (I-94) going west to the Old Orchard exit. From the exit ramp, turn left onto Old Orchard Road. Turn left onto Woods Drive, about 1/4 mile down.
From Downtown Chicago
From Downtown Chicago, take I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) to I-94. Then, take Old Orchard Road to Woods Drive.
From South I-294
Take the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) north to the Dempster St. east (US-14) exit. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Dempster Street (US-14) and drive east for about 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Waukegan Road and drive north about 1 mile. Then, turn right onto Golf Road, and drive east about 2 miles. Turn left onto Woods Drive.
Chicago Public Transportation Options
The Museum is easily accessible via public transportation. To find the most efficient route, check Google Maps and use the public transportation (“transit”) filter. Links to Chicagoland’s public transportation systems (CTA, Metra, and Pace) systems are below.
Get Directions from Google Pace Tickets Metra TicketsAccessibility and Amenities
We want each visitor to have a memorable experience at our Museum and are committed to making our programs, exhibitions, and facilities accessible for everyone by removing accessibility barriers, delivering a welcoming and relevant experience, and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement. Learn More
Please call the Museum at 847.967.4800 with questions about specific accessibility accommodations.
Nearby Accommodations
Local hotels that visitors enjoy include the Doubletree Hotel & Conference Center-Chicago North Shore, Residence Inn Chicago Wilmette, and Hampton Inn & Suites-Chicago North Shore/Skokie.
For additional lodging options, dining, transportation and activities on the North Shore, visit the Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Photo credits: Scott Edwards; Emily Mohney