A visit to The Art Institute was a perfect way to spend a rainy Chicago morning. I arrived just as…read morethey were opening their doors at 11AM on a Friday, bought my ticket on my phone as the already formed line outside made their way in (don't worry, it moved extremely fast), and was inside roaming around in no time. While I love to roam around museums aimlessly and without much a plan, I knew I only really wanted to spend about 2 hours here. I grabbed a pamphlet, downloaded the museums free app and strolled with a bit of intention. This is a really incredible museum and I got to see so many famous works for the very first time: American Gothic, Nighthawks, and A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte just to name a few! It was not too crowded or busy at all and the security and staff were all so friendly and helpful. In just under two hours, I saw all of the pieces I was hoping too, while also spending lots of time just wandering around. I absolutely recommend a visit!

Keep the map! This place was tough to navigate. Luckily the staff are wonderful, and we were able…read moreto find our way to the art we wanted to see. I was disappointed how this is not accessible at all for disabilities. Sure, they're added elevators. But different elevators do not each have access to every level. There were no tactile things included. Even with the embroidery exhibit, they could have included a fabric to touch but did not. I saw some paintings had audio symbols for descriptions, but I never found how to use that option. That being said, the breath and quality of the art is wonderful. I loved the Monet collection

Excellent experience, it was a beautiful day, we went on Saturday May 9-2026. Bill was the person…read moregiven the information, he was excellent, knew very well all the history of Chicago and the buildings. We were a group of 4 and we sat on the front of the boat, it was a good choice.

I had an amazing experience! I went on May 31 and Ciara amazing! She went out of her way to help…read moreme find the perfect souvenir. She was knowledgeable, friendly and customer service was a 10 out of 10 she was what made the experience so great! If she wouldn't have gone on her way to assist me, I would've walked out without a souvenir!

Statue Stories is a unique opportunity to learn more about the various public art on display in…read moreChicago via your cellular telephone. It was initiated in 2015 throughout the City of Chicago to engage the public in learning about all of the "public art" displayed throughout the city. Look for the sign(s) associated with the piece of public art then use your cellular telephone to scan the QR code which is a square box shaped black code...then answer your telephone when it rings and you can listen to the history and interesting and fun facts about the piece of public art on display....in this case statues! See the web site for the map and all of the public art with this audio tour... http://www.statuestorieschicago.com/statues.php FYI-other cities such as Philadelphia utilize this tool for the public as well.

From the owner: Using drama, humor and location technology, Statue Stories Chicago breathes new life into the…read morecity's marvelous public art collection. Swipe your smartphone on a nearby tag and get a 'call back' from the likes of Abe Lincoln, Paul Laurence Dunbar or a regal bronze lion.

I LOVE taking the subway. Easy to use. Helps with getting around town. You can take subway into…read moretown if you wish. Was a great time!

My boyfriend's company gets a lot of fancy fringe benefits and one of those is special tickets to…read moreshows, tours, and other fun things. On Friday we got to experience this fun tour with Margaret as our guide. The tour was about 90 minutes long as we weaved throughout the pedway system of Chicago covering about 1.5 miles. Everyone on our tour was local, some of us knew of the pedway, some had never been on it before others were quite familiar but wanted to know more, while still others had no idea about it! I was happy to venture down into the undergrounds of the city with some a well educated tour guide. I am a Chicago history mini-buff and she definitely knew her stuff about a lot of the famous architects of our town which pleased me. Our tour guide Margaret was full of energy and very enthusiastic in telling us all about the pedway. Once she told us she was a theater major, ah yes, it all clicked into place! She was a very thorough and clear guide though giving me a bit of information I haven't had prior. Once the tour is done, you'll know a bit about the paths under the city that connect some important government buildings to fancy department stores (and more!) and feel totally comfortable walking & navigating them yourself. There is virtually no crime on the Chicago pedway!!! Yay Chi Town! You will also come away loving the pedway for what it is! Nothing more, nothing less than an interesting walkway than can be beautiful at times - smelly at others - but like Margaret says, is it's own little Chicago neighborhood!

Highly recommend!…read more Easy to book online. Came in early June, 12:00pm reservation. I had booked a tour a year before but had to cancel last minute due to illness and they refunded me 100% the day before. Line started 30 minutes before the departure time so get there early if you want a specific spot. Chairs on top as well as some benches on the side. Seating area downstairs, bar, and complimentary water, lemonade, coffee/ tea. Nice bathrooms on board. Ed was an amazing tour guide, very knowledgeable and Chicago local who knows his history of the city!! Informative and funny! *Note: This is the only tour I've been on so I have nothing to compare it too. Some of the other tours looked bigger, I would probably try another one next time just to compare.

Chicago riverboat architectural historical tour on main branch of river. Time to cruise…read more Nonstop 90 minutes. Talk about the architectural sky scraper wonders. foremost. Mind blowing enormously tall. Alot of humor and details on rental price @$400,000 a year. Famous people like Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey lived here. Willis seats tower 100 stories tall 1,052 in the Windy City Sky! It's the tallest! there are 37 drawbridges on the main branch river. That's all the facts in my head could remember. The river is alive! The buildings taller than Sequoia redwood trees or Oregon Douglas Fir. Glass, concrete and steel in assorted shapes - seemingly alive like a living tree. I feel the energy of the river and the buildings standing tall. Worth the moolah.

The Marquette Building is a beautiful example of the Chicago School of architecture. The early…read moresteel framed sixteen story skyscraper was built in 1895. The steel frame is what allowed long "Chicago windows" due to less pressure of the masonry. It was designed by Holabird and Roche. The skyscraper was named for Father Jacques Marquette, the first European settler who explored Chicago in 1674-1675. Mosaics, sculptures and bronzes honor this expedition in the Marquette's entry and lobby. The bronzes and sculptures show the trip and important historic figures that were met along the journey. The railing around the atrium features beautiful Tiffany designed mosaics. Louis Comfort Tiffany was commissioned to create a mosaic frieze to detail the story of Marquette's life, the exploration of Chicago and the Native Americans that he met. Art panels are made of lustered Tiffany glass, mother-of-Pearl and semi-precious stones. It is stunning! The building is free and open to explore. Ask the security guard for a brochure or if you are lucky, he may even share some history about the building. There is also a small exhibit behind the lobby that discusses Chicago skyscrapers and architecture.

Chicago September 2019…read more Walked into the Marquette Building in downtown Chicago to view the beautiful artwork in the lobby. No admission fee. Just walk in and enjoy the view. The lobby is not too big but filled with stain glass art work that is eye catching. One can view the art from the first or second floor. Many Yelpers have already posted photos with great historical commentary. I'll just add a #metoo. No where to park around here unless you want to spend $30.00 ... I just jump on the CTA and pay $2.50 one way (or $5.00 round trip). Many of the buildings in downtown Chicago have fantastic art work in their lobbies. Most are free to explore. Welcome to Chicago !

Art Deco elements you'll find in both the interior and exterior of buildings on this tour:…read more Sleek design Symmetry Layered shapes Intricate line art Geometric ornamentation Aerodynamic curves And metallic colors like gold and chrome Art Deco represents a celebration of progress. It's known for rich colors, bold geometric shapes and lavish ornamentation. The United States has a bad habit of knocking the old things down and building new, but several of these grand skyscrapers have been preserved in Chicago's loop. I've passed these buildings on La Salle countless times but had never gone inside. Never mind the fact that it was November and only 30° outside. I wanted to do it. Architectural boat tours are one of the top tourist activities in Chicago. Locals love them too. The views are undoubtedly amazing from the water, but boat tours don't take you inside. You're missing out on the amazing designs within. This tour lasts about 1.5 hrs and cost $30 a person. It's a very slow pace and we took zero stairs. We also only walked a couple of blocks at most. Anybody of any ability could do this tour. Our docent was well informed and offered great insight into the history of design and the city of Chicago. I loved it. I can't say I'd do that again on a cold day though.

I love eating. What's even better? Trying global street foods from 6 different spots in 2.5 hours…read more Phyllis is the founder & lead tour guide of Chicago food ways since 2014. She's a french-trained chef that showed me everything about the ingredients, argyle's history, music halls, restaurants. She knows every family business owner. Ive had some of these restaurants on my list and some I've never heard of before but WOW were they AMAZING Will be bringing my friends & family & coworkers on this nice & easy walking tour. Arepas @elrincondefabiollc Char Siu Pork Bun @lapatisseriep (imo better than Chiu Quon) Ba La Lot @haiyen_chicago Sambussa @demerachicago * Birria @birrieriazaragoza Mango Sticky Rice @immmchicago & It's Fridays at 5pm and Saturdays at 4:00pm only summers Price $75 per person. Private tours available for 6 or more people & @

I did the Argyle/Uptown/Andersonville tour with a huge group (around 100 people). They divided us…read moreup into 4 groups and all had a fabulous time! Our group leader Mandy was so fun and knew a lot about the area. The very best part was the food! Every stop was amazing. I highly recommend!

My husband and I as well as a friend had the pleasure to take Wendy's 1950s Nightlife in the Loop…read moretour this past week. Despite the rain Wendy maintains a sunny disposition and seems to have a genuine interest in learning about her guests. She is also open about her journey to how she started this tour company. Her knowledge and enthusiasm is maintained throughout the entire tour. The two stops during this tour were fascinating. My fav part is how she ends her tour.. A fun game if you will. Two things strictly coming from our recommendations and not at all from Wendy herself. First, offer to buy her a drink she may or may not accept but with all the talking and hosting a cocktail is well earned though I know she wouldn't be offended if you didn't . Also if you've never been on a city tour.. It's always customary to tip the guide at the end of a tour. She is worth every penny and more. So much so that this is the only tour (in addition to the river tours) you'll need to take bc we learned so much and much of the same info was repeated on other tours, yet this is the most affordable.

If you want to get to know Chicago better, Wendy is your girl! What a great way to bring the city…read moreyou love to live with great stories and visuals of the places and people that made Chicago what it is today! Wendy had us engaged throughout the tour with her knowledge and enthusiasm about the city. Next time you are in the city take a Wendy City tour, you'll love the experience!

Yesterday I had an incredibly educational and fun tour of Pilsen and Little Village hosted by Dilla…read moreand Chicago Mahogany. Dilla really knows his stuff and adds such an amazing perspective to Chicago history. I cannot recommend them enough.

I took my mom on this tour and we both learned so much and had so much fun! Dilla keeps it very…read morereal, talking about red lining and the devastating effect on dismantling public housing with zero plans. And he also highlights things like Boxville in Bronzeville that supports small businesses through space and a broad business license. If you've lived here all your life or are visiting for the weekend, this is a great use of your time and money. Dilla fosters connection and builds bridges through storytelling. 5 stars, no notes. Take the tour!