Art Institute of Chicago
One of America's great art museums, guarded by bronze lions on Michigan Avenue - a superb Impressionist collection and American icons.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The Art Institute of Chicago, guarded by its famous bronze lions on Michigan Avenue, is one of the finest art museums in the country. It holds a superb collection of French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, alongside American icons like Grant Wood's American Gothic and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, in a grand building beside Millennium Park.
What you actually see
- Nighthawks and American Gothic - the American icons by Hopper and Wood.
- The Impressionists - the great collection of Monet, Renoir, Seurat and Van Gogh.
- The Thorne Miniature Rooms - the exquisite tiny period rooms.
- The modern wing - the light-filled contemporary galleries.
When to go
Year-round; a fully indoor museum for any weather, worth a half day. It sits beside Millennium Park and the Bean, so it pairs with a downtown day.
Honest expectations
It is large, so focusing on the highlights beats trying to see everything. It is busy, especially around the famous paintings and at weekends. Admission is charged, though Illinois residents get free evenings.
Nearby
Millennium Park and the Cloud Gate sculpture are next door; the Chicago Riverwalk and the Loop are around.
What to pack for Art Institute of Chicago
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
