Entry No. 16 — the Chicago file — filed under: haunted

International Museum of Surgical Science

North America's only museum devoted to the history of surgery occupies a stately 1917 lakefront mansion modeled on the Petit Trianon at Versailles. Among more than 7,000 artifacts are an Austrian amputation saw from around 1500, an iron lung, a reconstructed apothecary, antique medical instruments, and the Hall of Murals depicting surgery through the ages. The grandeur of the Gold Coast mansion makes the cabinets of bone saws and bloodletting tools feel especially uncanny.

The move: Linger over the antique amputation saws and iron lung in a chandeliered mansion, then walk it off along the Lake Michigan path right outside.

📍 Before you go Open daily; Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, last entry one hour before close. May close in extreme weather.

• 📍 Gold Coast
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23