Top Chicago Conference & Summit Museums

• Spaces for 30-300 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks
• 4 Total Spaces

The Halim Time & Glass Museum is home to hundreds of historical timepieces, stained glass masterpieces and artwork from around the world. A Golden Chinese Pagoda topped with over 5000 pearls, a porcelain and bronze clock that was once owned by Katherine the Great, a lobby with towering stained glass windows, and a grand, floating staircase topped with a celestial stained glass dome are only a couple highlights of this magnificent museum. The Halim Museum offers four event spaces. The Wisteria Room is a 4,000 square feet space with stunning hand-painted gilded trim, skylights to the Rooftop Garden, floor to ceiling windows with panoramic view and a wrap-around balcony. The Tiffany Gallery is a 1,500 square foot space adorn with the treasures crafted by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Garden Room and the Zodiac Terrace offer masterpieces of stained glass and hand-painted stenciling inspired by Gilded Age mansions. The Museum Café is a smaller room adorned with timeless decor for intimate wedding receptions. Services Offered Halim Time & Glass Museum offers many services to make your wedding experience as stress-free as possible, including providing event rentals to complete the atmosphere, such as tables, chairs, dance floor, and audio equipment. Each venue is wheelchair accessible and available to host ceremonies, receptions, showers, engagement parties, elopements, and rehearsal dinners. Additional services include: All-inclusive packages Catering and bar services Cleanup Get-ready rooms Parking Setup Valet WiFi Cuisine Halim Time & Glass Museum offers the convenience of in-house catering for your special day as well as supplying all needed barware, china, flatware, glassware, and linens. Couples may choose serving styles, such as a buffet, cocktail reception, hors d'oeuvre, plated, and chef station. Catering services include dessert, outside cake, servers, and tastings. This venue also provides many in-house bar services, and their other services include: Bartender(s) Champagne toast House beer, liquor, and wine Liquor license Open bar Premium liquor Signature drink Specialty beer and wine

• Spaces for 36-200 Guests
• 3 Museums
• 4 Landmarks
• 4 Total Spaces

Naper Settlement is a charming meeting/reception/wedding venue located in downtown Naperville, Illinois. Our 13-acre outdoor living history museum includes a variety of beautiful reception spaces for groups of 10 to 150. We have several Historic rooms available to rent for business meetings, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, baby showers, etc. We can connect you to the world in our Virtural Meeting Room and then have your breakout sessions in an 1850's Tavern, all surrounded by lush gardens and unique architecture. Naper Settlement is just minutes from Downtown Naperville's Riverwalk, and easy access to the surrounding suburbs. Book your tour today!

• Spaces for 120-200 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

Learn about the art of the event! LUMA provides the appropriate room for you, whether you're looking for a daily meeting spot or an upscale dinner party venue. Space Specs: - For events, there is 3,450 square feet of gallery space available. - Capacity: 120 for a seated meal, 200 for a reception; The temporary exhibition(s) on display determines the maximum capacity. - Permanent collection of art from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods (available for viewing only; no food or drink allowed) - Lecture Hall of William G. and Marilyn M. Simpson - State-of-the-art Audio/visual equipment - Beautifully decorated and furnished spaces - LUC Catering offers a variety of creative catering alternatives. - An experienced event coordinator is on hand to help you create the perfect celebration. The Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) was established in 2005 on Loyola University Chicago's Water Tower Campus. LUMA is housed in Lewis Towers, a landmark 1926 Gothic Revival structure on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. The William G. and Marilyn M. Simpson Lecture Hall, the Solomon Cordwell Buenz Library of Sacred Art and Architecture, the Museum Shop, the Push Pin Gallery, and the Harlan J. Berk Ltd. Works on Paper Gallery are all part of the 25,000-square-foot museum. At all levels of participation, LUMA welcomes new members and volunteers. The museum is devoted to the study of spirituality in art. The Martin D'Arcy, S.J. Collection at the Museum is one of the best in the Midwest for medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art. Changing exhibitions focus on many world religions and spiritual practices. The historic Lewis Towers on the Magnificent Mile, in the center of Chicago's cultural and retail district, are home to LUMA. Please contact us at luma@luc.edu or 312.915.7600 for additional information about event options, cost, and availability.

• Spaces for 300-3,020 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

6300 S. Lake Shore Drive (E. Hayes Drive @ Lake Michigan) is the address for 63rd Street Beach in Jackson Park. This beach offers a wide range of amenities to visitors. Stop by Belly Up for delicious Jamaican cuisine, or Leave With a Smile for snacks and drinks. Restrooms, interactive water fountains, showers, and meeting rooms are all available to beachgoers at the historic beach house. It is possible to rent the beach house. In 1871, the renowned Central Park designers, Olmsted & Vaux, built Jackson Park, as well as the adjacent Midway Plaisance and Washington Park. By 1888, the region had a paved beach built of granite bricks that covered the whole lakefront in Jackson Park. Given that untreated sewage was being poured into Lake Michigan at the time, it's no surprise that the beaches were used as paved walkways for strolling or promenading rather than wading or bathing. When Chicago's ingenious Drainage Canal was completed in 1899 and began transporting sewage to other sites, the lakefront became a popular spot for public swimming. After receiving several requests from South Side residents for larger beaches at the turn of the century, the South Park Commissioners opted to expand the beach sand area. In 1914, they devised a new plan for the landfill, and three years later, the 10-acre beach extension was completed. By 1919, an elegant bathing pavilion had been built near to the beach as part of this concept. The bathing pavilion, now known as the 63rd Street Beach House, was renovated by the Chicago Park District in 2000. The 63rd Street Beach House is a beautiful Classical Revival structure. The remarkable structure was designed by South Park Commission in-house architects. The magnificent exposed-aggregate concrete building, completed in 1919, takes full advantage of Lake Michigan with its open balconies and loggias (ground-level open-air galleries), allowing for lovely lake vistas and nice breezes. Bathrooms and baths, medical facilities, and separate courtyards for men and women with hundreds of wooden changing booths were all given in the past. The open courtyards are now tastefully landscaped places with an interactive water element, rather than wooden booths (made possible by the Max Schiff Foundation).

• Spaces for 70-175 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

The Smart Museum is a unique and economical venue for your special occasion, having been named to the Knot's list of 10 best museums for a wedding. The Smart's beautiful Ratner Reception Gallery and outdoor Elden Sculpture Garden, which feature large-scale art and sculptures, provide crisp, contemporary venues appropriate for a wide range of events, including wedding receptions, smaller meetings, and corporate entertaining. You and your guests will have the option to tour the Museum's galleries privately during your event. On request, tours of our special exhibitions and permanent collection can be arranged. Under the guidance of Vinci/Hamp Architects, the Museum's interior was reorganized and restored in 1999, and now has a wide, light-filled greeting hall as well as a succession of smaller galleries. Availability After hours, on weekday and weekend evenings, the Smart Museum's reception gallery and sculpture garden are available for hire. We encourage making bookings well in advance to ensure that you can enjoy your special event at the Smart. Inquire about renting our sculpture garden for larger events. Email Sarah Polachek or call 773.702.5785 for additional information about event options, cost, and availability. The Smart has been guided by an educational mission centered on teaching and research, as well as a dedication to making the arts accessible to the University community and the general public through its collection and special exhibitions, since its inception. The Smart is still an experimental institution dedicated to great ideas now, as it was in the past. Our 40th anniversary was a stimulus for us to reflect on and redefine the Smart's basic processes in 2014–2015, with a special focus on teaching, interpretation, and interaction.

• Spaces for 50-400 Guests
• 4 Museums
• 1 Outdoor
• 4 Total Spaces

As one of the largest botanical conservatories in the nation this is a lush hideaway to escape to- or celebrate in. 10 acres of outdoor gardens sit here just waiting for you to take advantage of this lush wonderland. The fast paced streets of Chicago as well as your responsibilities melt away here, in this lovely escape that transports you away from city life. Have your next event here and work with their events people to create a getaway celebration unlike any other. Transport your guests somewhere else and dine and dance among nature that wows! It's exactly what you were looking for- now all you have to do it add your vision. Your next event will be unforgettable at the Garfield Conservatory.

• Spaces for 79 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum host events that are unrivaled in the city. Private dinners, cocktail parties, wedding ceremonies and receptions, and bridge lift brunches are all possible at the Bridgehouse Museum, and they’re sure to be a success with this amazing backdrop. The museum commemorates the Chicago River and gives your guests a rare opportunity to see the inner workings of one of Chicago's most famous movable bridges, located inside the southwest tower of the Michigan Avenue bridge. The inside of the Bridgehouse Museum is a distinctive and rustic environment with five levels, exposed brick walls, and steel beams. It’s a beautiful, adaptable space that makes events of all shapes and sizes exceptional. It is suitable for intimate celebrations, both private and corporate, with around 1,200 sq. ft. of area and a capacity of 79 people. Renters have the option of working with their own caterer or one of our recommended caterers. Because of the building's unique layout, seated engagements are usually limited to 25 people or less when using the patio space. Indoor seated engagements are feasible, although tables must be spread out over the museum's five modest floors. Each rental also includes access to our riverwalk plaza, which offers breathtaking views of downtown Chicago that are only seen from this one-of-a-kind location. The five-story bridge house is filled with history, bridge details, and colorful anecdotes about the many people who were inspired by the Chicago River's potential. Every summer, tens of thousands of people visit the Bridgehouse Museum, which serves as the cultural centerpiece of the new Chicago Riverwalk.

• Spaces for 55-400 Guests
• 8 Museums
• 2 Landmarks
• 8 Total Spaces

The Harold Washington Library has nine event spaces for you to transform into your perfect space. With capacities ranging from 500 to 20 people, one of these spaces is waiting to accommodate you and your guests. Dance in the Winter Garden, Harold Washington's architectural centerpiece or dine next to the floor to ceiling windows in South Hall. Your options are many, but there is only one perfect fit for you. Their event professionals wants to bring your ideas to life; whether that be for your son's bar mitzvah, your wedding or your companies holiday party. Wow your guests by having your next event in this historical and elegant venue.

• Spaces for 190 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

Our mission is to create an unforgettable experience with exceptional service to our clients, providing close attention to details in our inventive cuisine and food presentations, all within in a unique and timeless setting. Weddings: The essence and style of your event will be embodied in everything we do to assist in the planning process from creating the perfect menu to tabletop design. Our wedding specialists rely on a variety of skills and experience and will be familiar with every aspect of your event to ensure a smooth, unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Corporate Events: The essence and style of your event will be embodied in everything we do including catering, table settings, lighting, floral arrangements, room décor and entertainment. At the Armour House, the food, quality, presentation and taste is of utmost importance. We source sustainable and local whenever possible, utilizing the finest of ingredients in order to make your special event the best possible. We have available for your convenience a Wedding Catering guide, but your options do not end here. We are happy to personalize any menu for your event. The Armour House is an historic, private venue so an appointment is necessary for a tour. To schedule an appointment with a member of our catering staff, please contact us through the inquiries page for more information and to confirm available dates.

• Spaces for 50-350 Guests
• 2 Museums
• 2 Landmarks

Immersed in lush greenery a nd formal gardens, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens is a historic mansion and museum that combines old world elegance with Venetian style architecture. Encompassed with neoclassic statuary, the mansion embodies pure opulence. Located 40 miles north of Chicago in scenic Vernon Hills, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens stands as a monument to old-world elegance. Make your wedding day one to remember at Loyola's Cuneo Mansion and Gardens! Signature wedding packages are available through any of Loyola’s four preferred caterers. The rental fee allows for exclusive use of the property and self-guided tours of the mansion are offered during cocktail hour.

• Spaces for 102-250 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

The Redfield Estate, located within The Grove, a National Historic Landmark, is an exceptional special event and wedding site that expertly blends history and nature. Enjoy exclusive use of our vintage 1930s-era home, pavilion, and gazebo, which are all surrounded by lush nature preserve grounds. More than 150 acres of forest, ponds, large lawns, exquisitely groomed gardens, fountains, and urns loaded with seasonal flowers may be found at this breathtaking spot. The enchanting house has original leaded glass windows, a fireplace, and charming dressing rooms to prepare for your day. Redfield Estate provides the perfect backdrop for your outdoor ceremony, reception, or intimate events inside the house, while the enchanting house has original leaded glass windows, a fireplace, and charming dressing rooms to prepare for your day. Your wedding album will be full of amazing images as you dine and dance on our stunning 30′ x 60′ outdoor-covered, stone pavilion. Strings of bistro lights and lamp-lit tranquil walks provide evening lighting. Redfield Estate offers a refreshing alternative from the conventional conference settings, with rooms ideal for both big group sessions and small breakout groups. Our venue will leave a lasting impression on private business social occasions. "Windy Pines," now known as The Redfield Estate, was built by Bertha Redfield and her second husband, Paul Petersen in 1929. The architect’s arrangement of the west wing, with its fireplace and balcony at an unusual angle to the remainder of the house, was influenced by the Prairie style of architecture. Overall, the effect is reminiscent of a country house in northern Europe. It is particularly lovely due to its variation of line, leaded glass windows, stone, stucco, and slate materials. It had a formal rose garden on one side of the home and a "natural" environment intended to attract wildlife on the other, in addition to its numerous distinctive design features. Even now, deer and other wild creatures can be seen through the windows.

• Spaces for 200 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

The grounds surrounding the tower are open all year during regular Park District hours, and you are welcome to come out and listen to the carillon at any of the scheduled performances. Throughout the year, a Carillon Ambassador will assist the Carillon's operations and activities by communicating with visitors and giving presentations to groups visiting the Carillon. Carillon Ambassadors will receive special training for this chance. During the open season, tourists can take a guided trip up the 253 steps to the top of the tower and experience the breathtaking view, which includes the Chicago Skyline on a clear day. Those who are unable to ascend the steps should take the elevator to the Gallery Level Observation Deck and stay there. For special requests, call the Naperville Park District at (630) 848-5000. Moser Tower and Millennium Carillon began as a labor of love by a small group of Naperville families in 1998, and the vision quickly spread to many others, who generously donated funds to make the vision a reality. The Millennium Carillon, like Centennial Beach and the Riverwalk, is a gift from the people of our town for future generations to enjoy. The trek to the open-air Observation Deck, which is 14 floors higher and nearly 10 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty, is a physical and mental challenge for those who are afraid of heights. The payoff, however, is a one-of-a-kind view of the city, including the Riverwalk and Centennial Beach, as well as the Chicago skyline on clear days.

• Spaces for 100-200 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark

The Adler Arts Center is a stunning and one-of-a-kind location for small, intimate gatherings. With space for anything from a wedding or baby shower in the ballroom and sun porch to an exquisite nighttime cocktail party spread throughout the house, The Adler Arts Center is the ideal location for your special occasion. The Adler Estate was the home of architect David Adler, who lived there for many years. From 1918 until his death in 1949, he resided at this residence. The Adler Arts Center, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an architectural jewel that demonstrates Adler's passion for Colonial Revival architecture while also incorporating Classical Revival and French Renaissance Revival elements, as well as numerous signature design features. A rich bespoke interior with elaborate woodcarvings and the blazing warmth of light from another age will greet you and your guests as they walk through the door.

• Spaces for 40-160 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Meeting Space
• 1 Park

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is a nature education facility operated by the St. Charles Park District, situated on its own natural area at 3795 Campton Hills Rd. in St. Charles, Illinois. The center draws visitors through live animal exhibits, educational programs for all ages, and access to restored natural areas — making it a distinctive setting for gatherings that go beyond a typical meeting room. The Savanna Room is available for private events and accommodates up to 40 guests. The space features large windows overlooking the surrounding natural area, tables and chairs, audio/video technology, and WiFi. Renters also gain access to the Discovery Center's exhibits and outdoor grounds during their event. The rental team can be reached directly at 630-513-4367 or hkevents@stcparks.org.

• Spaces for 20-120 Guests
• 1 Museum
• 1 Landmark
• 1 space at this venue

The Edith Farnsworth House is a National Historic Landmark designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and completed in 1951 as a private weekend retreat along the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, approximately 58 miles southwest of Chicago. The 1,500-square-foot glass pavilion — elevated above the floodplain on white steel columns, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls on all sides — sits within a 62-acre estate of mature trees and landscaped riverfront grounds. Private event rentals are available seasonally on the deck, terrace, and lawn surrounding the House. Gatherings of up to 20 guests may be hosted at the House itself; larger receptions move to the outdoor grounds, with the option to erect a tent on the eastern portion of the property. An exclusive list of licensed caterers serves on-site events, and alcoholic beverages are permitted with licensed bartending staff. The estate also includes a visitor center and the Barnsworth Gallery, offering a distinctive setting for corporate receptions, cocktail parties, intimate ceremonies, and milestone celebrations set against one of the most celebrated works of 20th-century architecture.