Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:111 S Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois
Tel:
(312) 443-3600
The third most popular cultural attraction in the City, the Art Institute of Chicago boasts a 5000 year collection of artistic treasures. From paintings, prints and photographs to video, textiles and architectural drawings, the diversity and mediums at the Art Institute will satisfy visitors of many tastes. The Art Institute of Chicago is best known for its extensive collection of American and Impressionist art, including more than 30 Monets which can be enjoyed on the various hour- long tours offered here.
The Art Institute has a year-round schedule of exhibitions as well as daily lectures, workshops and performances. Young visitors aged 3- to 5 years old can take a "Mini Masters" class, or enjoy the museum's Touch Gallery, an installation of five portrait sculptures from different time periods that kids can explore with their hands. Even the building that houses the museum, built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, has an artistic entrance on Michigan Avenue that is guarded by two bronze lion statues created by noted sculptor Edward L. Kemeys.
If all the fine art here stimulates your appetite, try The Café, great for burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and Caesar salads, or the museum's Garden restaurant.
The Art Institute of Chicago is located just one block east of the Loop, and is easily accessible via the city's "El" train system. The Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines all stop above ground at Adams/Wabash in front of the museum, and a number of bus lines stop in front of the museum as well. The Van Buren and Millennium stations stop underground just 1–2 blocks away on Michigan Avenue. So arrive early and ready for an art-filled adventure not to be missed!
From Art Institute of Chicago - Illinois:
It is true that art museums are about the stubborn, matter-of-factness of things: the works of art. But access to the Art Institute's collection has always been enhanced by words and reproduced images. With the launch of our redesigned Web site, we acknowledge the importance of digitized access to the works of art.