Attraction
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a free public park in the Loop, home to Cloud Gate, the Crown Fountain, Frank Gehry's Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Lurie Garden.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is a major encyclopaedic art museum on Michigan Avenue, with collections spanning thousands of years and a separate Modern Wing entrance on Monroe Street.
At a glance
- Type
- Art museum
- Area
- The Loop, Chicago, United States
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Tuesday)
- Official site
- artic.edu
Good to know
- Two entrances
- Free for under-14s
- Fast Pass option
- Café
- Free cloakroom
Why we recommend it
The Art Institute of Chicago faces Michigan Avenue beside Millennium Park, with its main entrance at 111 South Michigan Avenue. It is a large, general art museum, and its permanent collection is shown alongside a changing programme of special exhibitions. The Modern Wing, entered from East Monroe Street, holds much of the twentieth-century and contemporary collection, so you can start from either side.
The scale is the main thing to plan around. Rather than trying to see everything, pick two or three parts of the collection before you arrive and add whichever special exhibition interests you, using the museum's map to plan a route. Some exhibitions need an extra ticket on top of general admission, so check before you go. A Fast Pass ticket skips the general admission queue and gives quicker entry to ticketed shows, and the museum is also part of Chicago CityPASS.
Opening hours are 11am to 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 11am to 8pm on Thursday. The museum is closed on Tuesday, and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Thursday evenings are a good time for a quieter visit, and Illinois residents can get in free on some Thursday evenings with proof of residence.
Children under 14 go free, as do Chicago teenagers under 18 and several other groups, which makes this an easy choice for families. Couples and solo travellers can easily spend a full morning or afternoon here; allow at least three hours, and more if art is a priority. Tickets can be bought online or at the door. Advance booking is encouraged but not required.
There is a café with sandwiches, salads and seasonal dishes, plus the Modern Bar for coffee and lighter food. Cloakrooms are free, and large bags must be checked. Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries. The museum's outdoor gardens open in summer.
The museum is in the Loop, so it is easy to reach on foot from downtown hotels and by "L" or bus, and Millennium Park sits directly to the north. A good half-day in the Loop is to see the galleries, cross the Nichols Bridgeway from the Modern Wing into Millennium Park, and finish at Cloud Gate or the Chicago Riverwalk.
Art Institute of Chicago FAQs
When is the Art Institute of Chicago open?
11am to 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 11am to 8pm on Thursday. It is closed on Tuesday.
Where are the entrances?
The Michigan Avenue entrance is at 111 South Michigan Avenue and the Modern Wing entrance is at 159 East Monroe Street.
Do children pay?
No. Children under 14 go free, as do Chicago teenagers under 18.
Do you need to book in advance?
Advance purchase is encouraged but not required; tickets are sold online and at the museum.
Is there a skip-the-line option?
Yes. The Fast Pass ticket skips the general admission line and speeds up entry to ticketed exhibitions.
Is it included in CityPASS?
Yes. Chicago CityPASS includes Fast Pass entry to the museum.
How long should you allow?
At least three hours, and a full day if art is a priority.
Is there food at the museum?
Yes. There is a café and the Modern Bar for lighter food and drinks.
What is nearby?
Millennium Park is directly north and is linked to the Modern Wing by the Nichols Bridgeway.