The Art Institute of Chicago is the world famous Art Institute located in the heart of Chicago. The museum is the second largest art museum of the United States of America with the opening of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano’s modern wing on May 16, 2009. The Art Institute of Chicago features a great collection of galleries. At the Art Institute of Chicago museum you can enjoy creativity of great artists such as Monet, Renoir, Seurat and several others. Museum holds the permanent collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. Not only that, the museum includes master pieces of art covering American art, European Art, Asian Art and modern contemporary Art as well.
Chicago Family Vacation with Kids Tips
Babies: It is recommended to bring your own stroller during weekend or holiday visits. There are limited number of strollers available at the place. To be on safe side, it is always advisable to bring your own. Also, make sure to enter from Michigan Avenue entrace that has stroller entries.
Toddlers & Pre-K: Art Institute is full of art collectibles and objects. Make sure to talk to your kids to stay away from touching anything. As a parent, you must also keep close eye on your toddlers as they are very curious at that age.
School-Age Kids: Make sure to visit Thorne miniature rooms and the Arms and Armor collection. School age kids seems to love those more than anything.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Usually Pre-Teens and Teens with interest in art or history are always thriled with collections and exhibits. Make sure to visit “Water Lilies”, “Sunday on La Grande Jatte” and many similar.
Visit Planning Tips:
- It is recommended to plan a visit to Art Institute before going there. As a whole, Art Institute of Chicago has tons of collections and exhibits to visit. Make sure to list out main exhibits that fits your interest.
- Free admission is offered on Thursdays during 5 to 8 p.m., so you can save money on admission tickets. I would say this option is best for Chicago locals.
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The African and American Indian collection includes wood sculpture, masks, textiles and bead designs from all over the Africa. Scholars get an opportunity to explore the collection of the museum to gain the knowledge about past.
Today, The Art Institute of Chicago offers more than 250,000 art work to help people explore the 5000 years of past.
Following are few notable collection of the Art Institute of Chicago
- El Greco, Saint Martin and the Beggar, c. 1597-1600
- Antoine Watteau, FĂȘte champetre (Pastoral Gathering), 1718-1721
- Edouard Manet, Seascape Calm Weather, 1864-1865
- Gustave Caillebotte, Paris Street; Rainy Day, 1876-1877
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir, By the Water, 1880
- Edgar Degas, Woman at Her Toilette, c. 1900-1905
Located at 111 South Michigan Avenue at the western edge of Grant Park, the museum also offers a fine restaurant.
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Cost without the Go Chicago Card:
Adult $12.00, Child $7.00
Operation Hours of The Art Institute of Chicago Museum:
- Monday-Friday, 10:30 am-5:00 pm, Thursday until 8:00 pm;
- Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Please check the website for special extended seasonal hours.
- Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All holidays and hours are subject to change without notice.
Public Transportation to The Art Institute of Chicago Museum:
- You can take CTA lines such as Brown, Orange, Purple, Pink and Green to Adams St or Wabash Ave.
- Red and Blue lines to Montrose Ave
- Metra Train to Jackson