Chicago places ninth for an accessible introduction to the Federal Reserve, counterfeit detection and what a million dollars looks like. It beats Athens for a visitor prioritising everyday economic explanations, but the Smithsonian offers a wider historical object story.

Entry is free. Adults aged 18 or over must bring physical government-issued photo ID; groups of 15 or more need reservations. Check holidays and special hours, including the 12 October 2026 closure. These practical details matter more than assuming that a downtown bank building is always open to visitors.

Sources: Official guide.

Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized/compressed.