Far from our first visit to The Art Institute, but every visit here is a wonder. It rivals The Met…read moreand MOMA in New York as a top American art museum. And it's so close to other attractions as well as hotels and restaurants downtown/in the Loop. You can even walk to Millennium Park across a bridge from the Modern Wing. The museum can get very crowded, and has 3 main levels, but note parts of the lower and 2nd level are not connected. We only had a few hours to spend here, so of course did some of the "greatest hits" by Seurat, van Gogh, O'Keefe, Wood, Hopper, Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Warhol, Pollock, etc. I am particularly fond of the Impressionists, and the Institute had quite a collection from this period. The biggest discovery for me were the Thorne Miniature Rooms on the lower level of the main building. These intricate miniature rooms were fascinating and impossibly detailed; I especially liked how there were other rooms/gardens visible beyond the main room, and how much attention was paid to the lighting, as if the sun was shining through a window or door. You can enter the museum off Michigan Ave or via the Modern Wing. There's a cafe and a snack bar, a seasonal garden bar, and a members-only rooftop bar in the Modern Wing. The bridge to Millennium Park is just outside the member's bar. Always a must visit in Chicago, continuously impressive.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a massive museum with really dope pieces all for the grand total of…read more$14 for general admission. In my opinion, this museum is way too vast to thoroughly experience it in one day. So, if you are short on time, like I was, map out your "must go to pieces" and hopefully, you would see some other gems on the way to your next "must see piece". This is definitely a museum that I would revisit. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Terrace Tuesday was amazing even though the music was inside today. The weather was perfect. Plenty…read moreof tables and great company. We will be back!

I loved my experience! I really appreciate the free Tuesday nights for Illinois residents. That's…read moresuch a treat! Beautiful museum with multiple floors, excellent customer service, plenty of comfortable seating, cool gift shop, and a cafe and restaurant too. It has everything I need! The vibes are good here. I enjoyed all the floors and saw an impressive variety of art. I also wanted to see the Yoko Ono exhibit and I really enjoyed it. I appreciated how interactive it was. There were a few writing stations with activities, such as writing about your mom and taping it to the wall, and writing a wish on a tag and tying it to the wish tree. One room was blue and there were blue markers available and people were encouraged to add to it. Fabulous venue!

This place I found while walking downtown and it's so nice inside this museum/mansion. They have a…read moreplace downstairs to place food or drinks if you bring it in, but they did offered military discount . It was stunning inside and it had like three floors with the top floor having a gift shop. I really enjoyed all the art and painting around the mansion.

This is the Nickerson Mansion huilt in 1883 which was bought and restored over several years by…read moreRichard Driehaus. It has several items original to the home, plus some of Driehaus' collection. There was an art exibit of satirical prints from London and Dublin on display when we went through. Beautiful Tiffany lamps and chandeliers, marble, tile, woodworking throughout the whole home. Learned more about the history of Chicago and what it was like at the time the mansion was first built.

My teenage daughter and I visited the color factory aand we loved the immersive experience!! I e…read moretook out time going through each room because we wanted to get our moneys worth and it's a great place to take photos!!!! I e really enjoyed that part!! And they even had a little treat for you at the end!!

Color Factory was definitely a hit with Lani and the girls! From the moment we walked in, there was…read moresomething for everybody. The candy was a HUGE hit -- the girls were excited about that one! The Taste the Color room was really cool and gave the experience a fun twist. The ball pit was another favorite -- the girls had a blast! The Save Her Hut was a fun stop along the way and made for some great memories. And of course, we had to hit the gift shop, where we even got $5 off, which is always a win!

Love is calling…read more.. By Yayoi Kusama an art exhibit infinity mirror room is here and to place to celebrate art as nothing was untouched in this spot. I was delighted to see that we'd be in town for the last hurrah to celebrate her art as it was done in several room with mirrors in various ways all in awe of the creativity is fun and definitely unique. WNDR is located in the West Loop area and felt like it was in such a unique area and loved once we arrived as they had a bar and check in area where we were given our 3D glasses along with some vendors giving free samples was a cool touch. Once we got into the area you just can't explain the art and various rooms some you just take in and view some were interactive is fun as we never know what it would be. Once we were done I was wondering where the Yayoi Kusama was it was in an area we just passed not knowing but there is a short line as they allowed just a few at a time for just a couple of minutes you can take in and take pics as well. Absolutely cool as I went in twice but the experience here is very fun and Alice in Wonderland-ish vibe where even the ladies restroom was covered with pennies and a bit of interesting vibe. So grateful for the experience as it's nothing like I've ever been as this is Chicago and they sure know how to party. Thank you!

WNDR Museum will be permanently closing and I think their last day open to the public was this past…read moreMonday, September 7th. Sad because it has been around since 2018! I've always thought about going, but never got around to it because I'm not a really big fan of these interactive/photo op type art museums. When I saw they were closing, I had to finally check it out. I think it's a little more than $30 for adults, which is pretty pricey considering the Art Institute is about the same price and way bigger. This museum is pretty small and it only took less than an hour to walk through. The interactive aspects were all super fun though!! I even bought some of our photos at the end, and I was glad they were 50% off (everything in store was). They will be having a party at the end of this month if you want to go one last time!

This is a must visit when in Chicago if you are an art enthusiasts. It is a private and nonprofit…read moremuseum. I read it houses over permanently 300,000 arts from all over the world . I enjoyed the place and educational experience it offers. The place and aura of the institute. Great architects and exhibits inside the each wings. Sculptures, famous painters like Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir , Cezanne O'keefe and more were amazing. Early centuries Cultures and artifacts from well preserved. I admired Chagall stained glass. The Egyptian Museum was impressive. Overall the Chicago Institute of Arts worthy .

A top notch addition to the Art Institute. Fully accessible entrance off of Monroe, and the…read morequickest way into the museum from the Millenium Park Garage. Gorgeous multistory entryway. Top notch permanent collection from the 20th century, and excellent rotating exhibits to match. Access the public cafe on the second floor to absorb the interior view, and head up to the third floor and head outside to get a gorgeous view of Chicago's skyline. There is also a member's lounge on the third floor. A giant ramp will allow you to walk/wheel from the third floor over Monroe to the heart of Millenium Park, dropping you off by the Pritzker Pavilion. Its a steep incline - I would not want to walk up it, or push a stroller/wheelchair. If you are in a wheelchair and are athletic, its a thrilling ride to the bottom. Beware of blisters!

Had a good time at this art museum and gallery. It certainly is a way to know about a local artist…read morewho had a big impact. The Ed Paschke Art Center is the biggest collection of his work. Also it's free. There's a lot of permanent collections, and you can find exhibits by other local artists who come here for training. A few things about him. In 1939 he was born on the North Side. There was early influence by his father who made Disney animation and sketches among other things. After graduating from The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago, he got a travel scholarship to Mexico. There he was influenced by the art colors and patterns. He was in the army, making drawings for weapons manuals. Then he started making collages using images from newspapers. He would enlarge and reproduce these using oil on canvas. Then getting his MFA at SAIC, he was influenced by the first museum exhibition held by Andy Warhol. He was getting popular as an artist. Then he also began teaching classes at several universities. Often he would invite students over to his studio, and tell them to grab a brush and start painting on a canvas. The Art Institute Of Chicago had a traveling career retrospective in 1989 that was one of his career highlights. In 2004 he passed away. The city honored him by naming a street after him. A few years later this art center was created by his children and the Rabb Family Foundation. This opened in 2014 and increased the awareness of his work and life. Admission is free. This is because of their commitment to accessibility to the public. In the permanent collection is the Howard Street Studio installation. This reimagines his art studio with unfinished art works, source material, and souvenirs. Basically it's like giving you an idea of how he made art. One can get a sense of his painting techniques, like how he used sponges to get the color and volume. A lot of other stuff in the permanent collection. Vaca Victoria was a part of the 1999 public art project "Cows On Parade." It was one of hundreds of fiberglass cows created by Chicago artists. This used to be on Superior in River North. It was only there a few days. There was controversy about some local gang symbols. It has a head painted like the Bulls logo. The six stars represent the NBA Championship wins. Also there's stuff by other local artists. This has a residency program where they can learn. Getting here is pretty easy without a car. It's located on Higgins by Milwaukee Avenue and the Jefferson Park Metra station. This is easy to get to with public transportation.

I'd love to see more of his exhibits or his artworks. I was awestruck when I come across his art…read moreexhibits at art institute I begged my dad to take me there when I was in high school. There I met Ed Paschke after I grabbed bought art book about him, got his autograph. I treasure this art book with his signature when I greeted him politely and told him my name. ( I wrote it down on note because I'm deaf and too shy to talk. Thank you Ed Paschke. May your colorful spirit in arts live on! I hope or wish to have one of your masterpieces. They are so beautiful and vibrant! I'll post pic once I find my art book.

Almost everyone you meet in Chicago who loves their city will ask when you tell them you are…read morevisiting from out of town, "Have you done the architectural boat tour?" People in Amsterdam will also ask if you have done a canal boat tour - and you have to do these when you visit these cities. Our docent volunteer guide, Steve, was excellent. He was very personable and extremely knowledgeable about the city's riverside buildings and its history. The boat staff was also hardworking and ready to help with any issues, from getting a drink at the boat's downstairs bar to handing out covers when the rain hit us. For what we paid, the 1.5 hour tour was more than worth it. I recommend sitting at the top towards the back, as you don't have to crane your neck as much when he points out places of interest. This was a truly wonderful experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Not what I expected overall but it was still a very educational experience. Scoring tickets to…read moreChicago's Architecture Center through our hotel, we used the tickets as a good time filler. Not a must see or do attraction but a great day filler activity as you explore the city. Loved the wealth of information they offer as it's valuable to understand Chicagos importance from the ground up! I thought it would be more about highlighting the amazing architectural buildings around the city but nothing like that. It's was more about the environmental impact the city has and the hurdles when designing buildings around town. The staff were friendly at check in and provided great service overall as they were kind and helpful. Small center that you may explore at your own pace and may or may not be worth the admission price. But scoring free tickets it allowed us to be selective in our day or day plans to include the activity to pay it a visit!

Intuit Art Museum is a cultural experience not to be missed -- for Chicago buffs and newcomers…read morealike. It champions self-taught and outsider artists with sincerity and respect, giving voice to those who have forged their own artistic paths. The works presented here lack nothing in skill, beauty, ingenuity, or eloquence. The exhibition Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago deepened my understanding of the city's history and connects meaningfully to conversations about immigration today. Barberena's linocuts are especially striking, emotional, and deeply resonant. Other highlights from my visit included a beautiful commissioned work by Della Wells, stunning fiber art by Pooja Pittie, and the dazzling portraits of Drossos Skyllas, shimmering with character and skill. Henry Darger's story -- and the work itself -- is haunting in the best, most imaginative way. Our tour with Claire was outstanding: passionate, informed, and clearly invested in the artists' lives and contexts. I highly recommend getting a tour! I left inspired and grateful that a museum like this exists. Strongly recommend.

Intuit Art Museum has recently completed a massive renovation that expanded the facility threefold…read moreor so. Intuit features self-taught art by artists many of whom have a Chicagoland connection. My lovely wife and I have been to the "old" museum before, and it was an eye-opener to visit yesterday (Memorial Day) during a special free admission Grand Re-Opening weekend (the regular admission fee has also tripled to $15 from its former $5 ticket price). The star attraction is the recreation of Henry Darger's apartment and studio, along with a celebration of his works and methodologies. There are also spaces for the interesting and diverse Permanent Collection, as well as Special Exhibitions. Also interesting is the fact that the museum featuring self-taught art has bathrooms with fairly posh fixtures. Intuit Art Museum is not far from the Chicago Blue Line station. Check out the compact but cute gift shop before you leave.

Went here for an event…read more Great staff. I attended for an awards luncheon. Food was very good Another stop only Chicago has Enjoy

The Chicago History Museum was a bit of a mixed experience. It's a very nice facility, and several…read moreexhibits are incredible--notably 'Chicago: Crossroads of America,' which walks you through the city's history. The train engine and original 'L' car are fascinating, and that entire section is remarkably well thought out. The old-school dioramas downstairs were also fun to view, the Lincoln exhibit and artwork are well worth seeing, and the Emmett Till exhibit was powerful. In fact, based on the Chicago history exhibits alone, the museum is worth a visit. On the downside, a few exhibits felt far less compelling, focusing on individuals and literature that didn't feel particularly notable or historically significant. It felt somewhat like pandering and made for a quick walkthrough of space that could be better utilized. For instance, one exhibit was dedicated to a longtime street vendor--which might be novel to some, but felt deflating right after viewing Lincoln's life mask next door. The main issue, however, occurred downstairs. An event with music and dancing was taking place, which was fine since it was clearly roped off and didn't block access to any exhibits. However, a museum worker approached us and asked if he could help us find anything. I said, 'No, thank you,' but he persisted, insisting we check out the displays toward the front. I repeated, 'We're good, thanks.' He then explained that an event was taking place and said he needed us to move along. When I asked if the museum was closing, he said no. I pointed out that I had paid full admission, was not in the event space, and would prefer he walk away. I later watched a similar interaction with other guests, which required a supervisor to step in and tell these overzealous workers to leave patrons alone. It was an awkward and unfortunate end to our visit, and management definitely needs to address it.