Medieval Torture Museum
4.9(7.4K)google
4.4(205)yelp
HistoryEerie & HauntedQuirky
Overview
The Medieval Torture Museum is the largest interactive torture museum in the United States, displaying a private collection of torture, execution and restraint devices. The museum is a product of BenAur company and is located in the cities of St. Augustine, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2 hours
Best TimeA dark, fully indoor experience that is ironically enhanced by gloomy, rainy autumn days or freezing winter afternoons. Visit on a weekday after 4:00 PM to ensure you can explore the graphic medieval devices and listen to the audio guide at your own pace without the distraction of large, chattering weekend crowds.
Getting ThereLocated right in the Loop at 177 N State St. Avoid driving entirely. Take the CTA Red Line directly to the Lake station or the Blue Line to Washington station; the museum entrance is a mere 1-minute walk from either. The Elevated loop lines at the State/Lake platform are also just a few steps away.
Travel Tips
- The exhibits display graphic, hyper-realistic historical execution devices; visitors under 18 require full adult chaperones, and sensory-sensitive individuals should review disclaimers.
- The complete self-guided narration utilizes proprietary smartphone AR applications; bring fully charged mobile devices and wireless earbuds as no physical receivers are provided.
- Situated within a dense Loop layout, the museum features narrow, dark stairwells with zero stroller check infrastructure; avoid bringing wheeled suitcases or heavy child carriers.
Reviews
Positive
- The theme is unique and novel, the medieval torture devices are realistically reconstructed, and the included audio guide provides a highly comprehensive historical background.
- Located in the heart of downtown, it is highly accessible and within walking distance of the subway. It stays open until late at night, catering to nocturnal tourists.
- The venue uses dim lighting and eerie background music to perfectly set a spooky, grim atmosphere. It is highly engaging for fans of dark history.
- The museum features several interactive torture props for photo opportunities, the staff is friendly, and the photo spots are highly shareable.
Heads up
- It is purely a commercial theme exhibit lacking authentic excavated artifacts; most items are modern silicone and metal replicas with zero archaeological value.
- The ticket price is quite expensive given the small layout size of the museum, which can be fully toured in 20 to 30 minutes, offering mediocre value.
- The exhibits are extremely gory, explicit, and visually shocking, making it entirely unsuitable for sensitive individuals, pregnant women, or young children.
- The interior space is narrow and winding without accessible ramps, and some areas are so dimly lit that reading the text descriptions strains the eyes.