Art Institute of Chicago Tours

Art Institute of Chicago featuring outdoor art
Explore a massive collection of works celebrating different cultures and historical times, from ancient Egypt to modern installations.

The Art Institute of Chicago holds nearly 300,000 works of art in eight buildings, encompassing nearly one million square feet (93,000 square meters) of gallery space. It’s best known for its collection of modern European and American paintings and sculptures, including works by Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt. There’s also Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman art, pieces from across Asia, and edgy contemporary installations. You’ll need a comfortable pair of shoes as you can spend from a few hours to a few days here.

The Museum lies on the eastern border of downtown Chicago, a block from Lake Michigan. It was founded as a museum and fine arts school in 1879. It settled in its current location in 1893 and the original building, with two famous bronze lion statues on either side of the entrance, remains.

Don’t try to attempt the Museum without a map. You’ll find one at the entrance. There are also audio guides, and Apps for smartphones that have floor plans and detailed stories about some of the artworks.

The European artworks and sculptures here are famous. You’ll likely recognize many of them, such as Two Sisters by Renoir and Water Lilies by Monet. They start on the second floor just above the main Michigan Avenue entrance. 

The American art collection spans two floors. Mary Cassatt’s, The Child’s Bath, a favorite among visitors, and other highlights include paintings by James McNeill Whistler and John Singer Sargent. Head to the second floor to view pieces from 1900 to1950, include Edward Hopper’s renowned painting Nighthawks which eerily depicts a New York restaurant late at night.

Explore other mediums of art in rooms about architecture and design, galleries for photography, a sculpture garden and half a floor dedicated to Asian, African and Native American art. Visit the gallery's official website before your visit to check for any upcoming special exhibitions.

Take a break at one of four eateries. The Museum Café has everything from sandwiches to pizzas, while Caffe Moderno serves up quick snacks like paninis and salads. There are two formal dining options: Terzo Piano (Italian) and McKinlock Court Restaurant (modern American).

Browse tours and tickets to explore Art Institute of Chicago

Reviews of Art Institute of Chicago

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2559
" "5 - Excellent 75.04398826979472%
4 - Good
650
" "4 - Good 19.06158357771261%
3 - Okay
167
" "3 - Okay 4.897360703812317%
2 - Disappointing
10
" "2 - Disappointing 0.2932551319648094%
1 - Terrible
24
" "1 - Terrible 0.7038123167155426%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 11, 2020

Plan on spending the bulk of a day here due to the amazing collections.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 9, 2020

It great

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 19, 2020

Make sure to get a map layout of the displays at the front desk before you go in. It’s easy to get lost or miss a cool exhibit because it’s so large and constructed like a maze.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 18, 2020

If you are a fan of the game Masterpiece, bring your cards of the Masterpieces and find them in the museum. Super fun!

4/5 - Good

Colette
Jan 2, 2020

Museum hacks, not affiliated with Museum. Had fun!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 2, 2019

Be sure to allow two days if you like art. The museum is immense with all of the additions! We spent a full day, and only covered the "old" (Michigan Ave.) building. Despite the size, we found it easy to navigate inside the building.

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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.