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National Museum of Mexican Art

ArtHistoryClosed · Opens 10amFreeDamen (CTA Pink Line)

Founded in 1982 by Carlos Tortolero and a group of Mexican-American teachers, the National Museum of Mexican Art opened its Harrison Park building in Pilsen in 1987 and took its current name in 2006. Its permanent collection runs to roughly 12,000 objects spanning three thousand years, from ancient Mesoamerican artefacts and colonial devotional art to folk art, modern Mexican painting and contemporary work made on both sides of the border. The building's façade takes its geometric patterning from the friezes at Mitla in Oaxaca. It is the only Latino museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and admission has always been free.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608, United States

Nearest station: Damen (CTA Pink Line), 18th Street (CTA Pink Line), Bus 50 Damen at 19th Street

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Hours

Closed 12 October

Closed for Indigenous Peoples' Day

MonClosed
Tue10:00–17:00
WedToday10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–17:00
Fri10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

Free

Admission is always free for all visitors; the Ray Castro parking lot on the east side of the museum costs $4 per hour.

Nearby

Museum of Contemporary Photography

ArtFree50 min walk

Field Museum

History57 min walk

Art Institute of Chicago

Architecture58 min walk

Shedd Aquarium

Children61 min walk

Visitor Information

Is National Museum of Mexican Art free to visit?
Yes, general admission to National Museum of Mexican Art is free. Admission is always free for all visitors; the Ray Castro parking lot on the east side of the museum costs $4 per hour.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of National Museum of Mexican Art?
National Museum of Mexican Art is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-17:00, with late opening until 20:00 on the first Wednesday of every month. Closed Mondays and on major holidays including New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day (12 October 2026), Thanksgiving (26 November 2026) and Christmas Day (25 December 2026). Admission is free.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is National Museum of Mexican Art?
National Museum of Mexican Art is located at 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608, United States, in the Pilsen area of Chicago. The nearest stations are Damen (CTA Pink Line), 18th Street (CTA Pink Line), Bus 50 Damen at 19th Street.
What can I see at National Museum of Mexican Art?
Free Pilsen museum holding the largest Mexican art collection in the US, from Mesoamerican jade to Day of the Dead ofrendas. Current highlights include Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos, Nuestras Historias: Stories of Mexican Identity from the Permanent Collection, Vivir la Tierra: Acquisitions from the Permanent Collection 2010–2026.
Do I need to book National Museum of Mexican Art in advance?
National Museum of Mexican Art is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Admission is always free for all visitors; the Ray Castro parking lot on the east side of the museum costs $4 per hour.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit National Museum of Mexican Art?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

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