International Museum of Surgical Science, A Division of the International College of Surgeons

We made a stop on our multi-city road trip specifically to visit this museum, as it had been on my must-see list for quite some time. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. While the exhibits themselves have the potential to be fascinating, many were difficult to fully appreciate due to inadequate lighting. Several displays also appeared to be in need of maintenance and cleaning, which took away from the overall experience. For the price of admission, I expected a much higher level of upkeep and presentation. The gift shop was another disappointment. Prices felt excessively high, with small souvenirs carrying surprisingly steep price tags. After spending nearly $80 on admission for two adults and one child, we found it difficult to justify purchasing much beyond a few small items. What frustrated me most is that this museum has so much potential. With better lighting, improved exhibit maintenance, and a more intuitive flow between rooms and displays, it could be an incredible destination. As it stands, the overall experience simply didn’t match the cost of admission. I genuinely hope improvements are made because the subject matter is interesting and unique. However, until the exhibits are better maintained and the pricing better reflects the experience being offered, I can’t say I feel the visit was worth the expense.

interesting and cool but not sure it was worth $20. If you’re super into medicine it may well be but also I waste $20 on way less interesting things so still had a good time with it. It is an old building and the exhibit is 3-4 floors. I did see an old elevator inside that said to speak with the front desk to use. But there are also steps up to the door outside.

This was an interesting random stop. There is something for everyone. There were a few exhibits I really liked. 4 floors to explore. We parked in the back (through the gate to the right of the building entrance - not sure if that was correct...but no issues and easy to navigate. The cost is reasonable. Plan to spend an hour and a half at least if the content intrigues you

A smaller museum, but the exhibits and information are we'll done. Perhaps a bit expensive for the small size. I liked the vintage posters, and the dioramas showing the way surgery was once taught in med school. The library and pharmacy were nifty too.

Not your mainstream museum to visit in the city. If you are a fan of biology science, this is definitely a place to stop by! It’s not big but lots to offer!

Cool little gem. Four floors of some pretty cool historical information. Small blurbs help keep you moving but also are really informative. The artwork was a plus. Plan to spend around 1 hour here, give or take.

Science as art, the art of Science, curiosity about the human body, and the horror/humanity.  This museum checks all the boxes for me. I appreciate the medical artifacts and instruments, detailed displays and heady exhibits through the year.  This is a museum I always read the newsletters for future presentations that pique my interest. Also has the best quirky science/body GIFT SHOP I know of, online and onsite. Living in Chicago makes it easy to visit often, and I must bring more friends to these talks! Past presentations include an Author talk “Butts: A Backstory”Book by Heather Radke and recently “Aging Gracefully in the Era of Too Much” lecture by Dr. Florence Mussat.

🇮🇳 Spice, Soul, and Serious Naan: Indian Garden If you’re wandering through the neighborhood and your nose starts leading you toward the scent of toasted cumin and fresh dough—don't fight it. Just follow it straight into Indian Garden. Here’s the breakdown of my latest pit stop: The Vibe: Chill, welcoming, and perfectly chaotic in that "good meal ahead" kind of way. The Drink: You have to grab the Mango Martini. It’s basically a tropical vacation in a glass—sweet, smooth, and dangerous enough that you'll definitely want a second one. The Food: Let’s talk heat. The dishes here lean into spicy flavor rather than "melt-your-face-off" heat. It’s rich, fragrant, and layered. Now, personally? I’m the guy who wants it spicy flavor and spicy hot (give me the sweat-on-the-forehead experience!), but for most normal humans, their balance is spot on. The MVP: The Garlic Naan. It’s pillowy, buttery, and honestly, I’d probably wear it as a scarf if it weren't so delicious. It’s the ultimate vessel for scooping up every last drop of sauce. The Service: Massive shoutout to the host, K. C. Mishra. The man is a legend—super nice, incredibly welcoming, and made me feel like a regular before I even sat down. The Verdict: Great food, better people. Whether you're a heat-seeker like me or just in it for the aromatics, you're going to leave happy.