Wheeeew, grab a map when you walk in!! We tried to go without and it didn't end well. Not only did…read moremy boyfriend and I lose each other very early on, but we also lost track of what sections we had been in. Eventually we reconvened in the main area and consulted the visitor guide to ensure we maximized our time here, but it was still impossible to see everything. We happened to arrive right before noon, so we were able to peep in Fullerton Hall, which was cool. We also combed through the impressionism area and I enjoyed all the Monets. I then went on a MISSION to find American Gothic, which ended up being in an entirely different wing -- eventually I found it though. Paradise Lost was another highlight of course, as well as the Chicago Stock Exchange room recreation. We wrapped things up in the modern wing, and I was hyped to see several pieces from Andy Warhol, plus a Dali. If we didn't have a flight that night, we easily could've spent 2-3 more hours here.

Visiting the Art Institute of Chicago had long been on my bucket list ever since taking an art…read morehistory class in high school, so it was a dream come true to finally see it in person. I booked my tickets in advance on the morning of my visit and walked over from River North in the afternoon. Upon entering the galleries, I went up the central staircase and immediately found myself in a room with my favorite Impressionist masterpieces, including works by Monet, Seurat, Caillebotte, Van Gogh, and Matisse...just to name a few. I wandered through the other galleries and continued to spot my favorite paintings from other art periods. I even found a mummy! The museum layout was a little confusing, but the galleries were well-labeled, and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable in helping me find my way. Thinking that I would only spend about an hour in the museum, I ended up staying almost until closing. Before leaving, I stopped in at the gift shop to pick up some postcards to commemorate my visit. I highly recommend the Art Institute of Chicago to anyone visiting the city, and I would definitely consider coming back when I have more time on my next visit.

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!

If the Art Institute is where we went to stand in front of paintings I'd already studied for years,…read morethe MCA was where we went to be surprised. Set on the Near North Side near Water Tower Place, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago picks up almost precisely where the Art Institute's historical collection ends, devoting itself entirely to art made since 1945. https://lisaefreedman.com/the-museum-of-contemporary-art-chicago/?

This was the most wonderful experience! I highly recommend it if you're in Chicago. It's located in…read morethe Willis Tower, so if you're going to the Skydeck it's a quick little jaunt over before or after. I wasn't sure what to expect, and it ended up being so much better than I imagined! All the people working were friendly, knew what they were doing, and helped us have the best experience we could have. I loved every part of it, and it was awesome tying in all the senses to color! The tasting one was so fun, I ended up guessing mine right! I think my husband and I had the most fun with the partner drawing activity, that's a keepsake for sure, haha! Other faves were the poem and balloon exhibit and of course, the ball pit. We came with our 6 year old nephew but I think the adults had more fun than he even did! It was fun to let loose and be a kid again. I was thankful for all the fun photo ops, it made it easier to get great pics without having our phones out the whole time. The only bummer was the ice cream. We paid $1 per person for it and it was just one tiny little ball with a wooden spoon, and I could taste the spoon more than the ice cream.

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!

Super Dope, I really enjoyed my experience at the Sneaker University !!. I highly recommend this…read moreexperience for any fellow Chicagoan's or tourists. Customize T-shirts. Sweatshirts and tote bags. Great way to remember your trip to Chicago. They have a ton of stickers to choose from the represent all over Chicago. The process to get your custom gear. Should take about an hour or two hours. Please note the line is extremely long. So if it's a hot summer Chicago day, Bring some water with you. The wait time outside alone could be up to an hour I slightly longer.

This was a cool experience on my vacation trip. We got there on a Sunday right after opening and…read morethere was already a line. We waited maybe 30 minutes or so to get inside. I'm not sure what the limit is but they only let a certain amount in at a time. I think that's a great idea because it keeps from there being a lot of people are walking over each other. They have lots of sticker to choose from. Love a nice wearable souvenir. The staff were all very friendly. They moved fast. The only thing I suggest is to get kids sizes in for the hoodies and crew shirts.

I would definitely describe The Arts Club of Chicago as hidden in plain sight, located off the…read morebustle of Michigan Avenue, on the corner of Ontario Street. It was only yesterday that I had the opportunity to venture here to attend a CPL library breakfast that was held on the second floor. The service was impeccable and the food (fresh fruit, mini pastries, and a frittata dish) was delicious although, puzzlingly, I could not discern any knives on the breakfast setup. Most importantly, caffeinated beverages (coffee and hot tea) were self-serve and plentiful for that early hour of the morning. The room itself was elegant, with pieces of art placed at tasteful intervals. The first floor gallery space is free and open to the public on selected days of the week. Visitors can also make private appointments to tour the collection. The space is manageable to wander around, so I would probably not opt for the tour, unless I happened to be coming in with a group. Looking at the website, it seems like there are a various events/lectures that are free and open to all, as well as a rotating slate of exhibitions. I am keen on attending these types of events, so I will be checking back on the website, and have signed up for the mailing list.

Designed by John Vinci in 1997, this two-story arts center holds the famous reconstructed steel…read morestaircase designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. It was in the original Arts Club building formerly at 109 East Ontario but demolished in 1995. It was a big deal to preservationists when the original was about to be torn down. The modern stair is the centerpiece of the new interior space, and it is hard to keep your eyes off of it while you are attempting to view the art on display here.

Now that I'm a college grad, there's just less to do on a Friday night. No more house parties, less…read moreof my friends are around, and it's also just less socially acceptable to go wild now that I'm supposed to be an adult. Cue going out with my roommates to classy events like After Dark, where everyone's a little older than I'm used to and where I don't really feel like I fit in just yet, but it's still nice to finally be a part of the grown ups. I would say the average person was in their late 20s, and the crowd was quite dressed up (at least in comparison to my cotton black summer dress and flip flops). We had a great time. Food wise, they had some complimentary snacks consisting of crackers/dip, popcorn, and rice crispy treats, although I wish they had something more substantial to feed us. They also have a drinks line (need to first purchase tickets to buy drinks!) where you can get beer, wine, or cocktails. Entertainment wise, there was a fantastic DJ, a photo booth with a mime, and an arts and crafts stand where you can get stickers to plaster all over you friends. After getting drinks and snacks, we sat around for a bit on the (beautiful) outdoor patio, and afterwards proceeded to walk through the Modern Wing, which was open exclusively for the event. The Roy Lichtenstein exhibit was up, and it took quite awhile to peruse since it was absolutely huge. The artwork was amazing, and I'm really glad I got a chance to see this exhibit that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. The price of the event was so worth it since it covers both the art and the h'orderves. Overall, I had a fantastic time and am excited to attend other events similar to this (First Friday's at the MCA, anyone?). Only qualm is still that I wish they had more substantial snacks, since I was starving afterwards.

Eclectic mix of people, something for everybody here…read more Plenty of single people and couples too. It was great to walk around and view the art, which gave the event an added touch. One thing that was annoying was having to pay for drink tickets, it would be much more convenient if they just took cash. Not a black tie event as some people made it out to be. All in, its good for what you make of it, either enjoying your own company or going to meet others. Good vibes!

Had a good visit to this small museum of art. It doesn't take long to have a look. Loyola…read moreUniversity Museum Of Art is located on its Water Tower Campus and often is appointment only. Closed a lot and unreliable hours. The museum has a lot of medieval paintings and sculptures. A unique museum that explores the spiritual in art. It has all cultures and faiths. The Martin D'Arcy Collection has art from the Baroque, medieval, and Renaissance. An interesting history about him. He was a British humanist and theologian who collected it at Campion Hall on Oxford University. Collection has over 300 pieces including paintings, sculptures, and other art. This had been in the library of the Lake Shore Campus before moving. Basic looking place but there's a lot packed inside. It's closed Mondays. The hours can be screwy so call before going or check the website.

What an amazing space. I went with some friends to see the Joan of Arc Project and it was amazing…read more They had several other exhibits on display. The space is beautiful. They have a small shop and there is nearby parking After 5 it's 15 dollars And of course there is dining all around

Cool thing to look at if having a few minutes to look around. If you ever have been on this part of…read moreWabash you have noticed the murals that are colorful. These are part of the Wabash Arts Corridor, which is supported by Columbia College, known for its art education and museum. Get a few good pictures around here. Of course there's opportunities for Instagram posing and stuff. Be sure to have enough time because it's bigger than it appears. It's on Wabash and goes on for a few blocks. This is mostly around Columbia College, which makes sense. Especially check out the ones around here because these are among the best. So far the favorite seems to be the moose blowing bubble gum. If here might as well stop in the Museum Of Contemporary Photography and see more free art. The murals are better though in my opinion. Get here by making your way to Wabash between Roosevelt and Van Buren. It's close to the Harold Washington Library station. This makes it pretty easy to get to by public transportation.

I had a couple hours to kill before a dinner in the South Loop area, so I planned a day around…read moreseeing all the Wabash Corridor Murals. This project was founded in 2013 by Columbia College Chicago. It took me about about 2 hours to see a handful of them. There's a map somewhere online that you can download to see exactly where all of them are located; it was super helpful for planning what route I wanted to take. If you're into art/murals, it's definitely worth a shot, especially the moose blowing bubble gum. It's one of my favorites! Do plan to take a morning or afternoon to make sure you can see all of them!

I stopped by The Center for Native Futures (CfNF) last summer, however the space was closed that…read moreday, so I filed it away for a future visit. I was able to explore the space midweek, on a Wednesday. The gallery is compact, so I was able to walk around and take my time looking at the artworks in an unhurried manner. The timing was perfect, as I happened to be the only visitor and was able to talk with one of the co-founders, who was seated at a table in the middle of the exhibition space. Prior to my visit, I had limited knowledge of the Center, an Indigenous- led arts space. The gallery is a new entry on the art scene in downtown Chicago, having opened in September 2023 in the Marquette building. The Marquette is home to historic Tiffany murals that depict the life of the building's namesake, the French explorer Father Jacques Marquette. The center was founded by artists on a mission to make an epicenter of Native creativity and explore the history of the Potawatomi people in the area, providing a deeper look and going beyond their depictions within the murals. When I visited, the Center's inaugural exhibit Native Futures was on display. Showcasing the work of artists representing 19 Native tribes, the exhibition includes an audio installation and stunning works of ledger art. In addition to exhibits, the Center hosts community events throughout the year; these are promoted via social media with an option to sign up for the email list.

It has been opened since September 2023 according to the lady at the table near the middle of the…read moreroom. There is some artwork which I found interesting. also a tv showing some video near the window up front. I hope they have some events in the future. There is a table with some info and First American Art magazines near the front. I'll probably go back to see if they have new artwork. Not crowded at all.

We came here for an event honoring volunteers and achievements by the Respiratory Health…read moreAssociation. I like the outdoor setup, being cradled and surrounded by ivy walls. I wonder if that's the 'Ivy Room' of the namesake? We grabbed some drinks and enjoyed music, speeches and a special award. It's a nice space with seating, not just wicker chairs either but cushions! There were passed drinks and hor-durves, as well as friendly, helpful bartenders for those wanting beer, water or soda. One of us spilled something on a light-colored jacket, and they came to our rescue with seltzer and wipes. There was also a buffet with Spanish themed food (empanadas, paella) and small bite dessert bar. I asked about what had red meat/pork and thankfully I was dutifully informed. The caterers gave me and my party some leftovers! Not sure what prompted that but we appreciated it(we tipped even on free drinks). The missing star has to do with the wine. It was AWFUL! I tried to break it up with beer, but I got so sick the next day, I had to cancel my evening plans. I probably over indulged, but I have had more wine in one sitting with way fewer side effects. I may just stick with beer next time.

Working with Pam was truly one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From the very first…read moremeeting, she brought a sense of calm, confidence, and genuine care that made the entire planning process feel seamless. Pam has an incredible eye for detail and an innate ability to turn a vision into something even more beautiful than you imagined! She was organized, responsive, and always ten steps ahead, coordinating every vendor flawlessly and ensuring we never had to worry about a thing! On our wedding day, Pam and her team made everything run so smoothly that we were able to be fully present and actually enjoy every moment. Beyond her professionalism, Pam is simply a joy to work with; warm, thoughtful, and deeply invested in making the day special. Our guests are still raving about how perfect everything was, and we owe so much of that to her!!