The Art Institute of Chicago Reviews

Last went some thirty years ago and it is even better now.
The impressionist rooms are stunning, with so many trophy pictures that you almost forget the constant noise. The European wing is a cornucopia of wonders with Delacroix, Canaletto, and Guardi represented. Almost lost in this are Gainsboroughs, Turners, Joseph Wright of Derby and many other classic English masters that would form the heart of most galleries just by themselves. The Tiffany window is every bit as wonderful live as the images suggest, as is the Chagall. Nighthawk and American Gothic not overcrowded. The Hokusai Wave was the only place with a queue, which was to allow people to take photos of themselves next to it. To be honest the point of a gallery is to be able to look at the paintings, and they should consider forbidding photos in that room, or limiting these to a special time slot, especially with what is a surprisingly tiny work when you see it.
However, beyond pictures the place is also lined with an amazing collection of furniture and ornaments. The Greek vases are stunning, and the Byzantine collection just amazing. We went hunting in the East Asian section for North East Indian artifacts, but the blend sadly went from Hindu Indian to Buddhist Burmese with not a lot in the middle - niche in any event, and the guides could not have been more helpful.
Only real disappointment was the Modern Wing. It has a great Jackson Pollock, but I was struggling to get into the Warhols or much of the other esoteric space. I'm sure there would have been much explanation on the App, but perhaps a little more guidance in the title boards or the room details - some galleries have laminated cards in each room. However, even this might not have bridged the issue that the modern wing is a poor relation in quality compared to the remainder of the gallery.
This is a destination gallery - one of the world's greatest - and the staff are lovely and proud and it isn't really overcrowded. Thank you.

My congrats and thanks to those who assembled “Van Gogh and the Avante Garde”. What a thoughtful, beautifully curated exhibit. I learned a lot. After viewing, we had a nice lunch at the Market and then enjoyed the other exhibits.

Beautiful, very well organized and laid out. Staff excellent in returning a lost scarf.

The Art Institute of Chicago is well worth a visit and it sits on Michigan so easy to find. Stunning building and massive inside .

The architecture is a work of art in its own right! The museum's dedication to cultural diversity is evident in its global representation of art forms. The Asian, African, and Native American collections provided an enriching perspective on the beauty and intricacies of different cultures.

Interactive displays, audio guides, and insightful descriptions added depth to each artwork, enriching the experience and making it accessible to visitors of all ages.

It's a place where culture, nature, and creativity converge, creating a harmonious atmosphere that's both inspiring and invigorating. I loveee it!

We were excited to visit the Art Institute of Chicago as it has been many years since we had the opportunity to experience the institute. We paid a senior rate and was not disappointed by the exhibits.

So much to see! Impressionists, textiles and miniatures should not be missed! Spent three hours and could have used another two!

Splendid. Very informative free tour. And what collections!
Both American art (Peter Blume Mary Cassatt Hopper of course) and painting 1860-1920. More than 30 Monets. Matisse, Pissaro, Van Gogh
All without too many people
Exceptional.

Beautiful museum with great pieces. A little confusing to find your way around initially but overall really enjoyed our visit. Staff were very helpful!

I’ve always enjoyed spending time in art museums, and I would say that the art Institute of Chicago is the Louvre of America! With thousands of works available to view, a collection that’s always rotating, and special exhibits, visiting this museum over and over is always a unique experience, but you could always see Some of the greatest artwork ever made.

The museum has a very impressive number of Impressionist paintings which is well worth the admission price alone. There are free tours daily, where the guide takes you to looks a 3-4 paintings in greater detail- this is also worth going for as it gives you a perspective of how art historians view paintings in the Siamese context. I presume the paintings discussed are up to the guides - the ones on our tour were not necessarily the “famous” ones, but the insights were interesting. Overall an enjoyable 4 hours spent.

The Art Institute of Chicago was an absolute highlight of our trip. From world-famous masterpieces like American Gothic and Nighthawks to stunning Impressionist galleries, there’s art around every corner that stops you in your tracks.

The layout is intuitive, and the collection is massive without ever feeling overwhelming. We spent a few hours wandering through different eras and styles, and honestly could’ve stayed even longer. The museum café is a nice pit stop too — perfect for a quick recharge before diving back in.

Whether you’re a seasoned art lover or just curious, this place delivers big time. Easy to fall in love with the pieces and the space itself. Highly recommend adding it to your Chicago itinerary!

Large and varied museum, but unfortunately very confusing and with poor site plan. You can not orient yourself very well but staff is abundant.
Those who don't have much to do with art will tend to find the ticket price too high, art lovers probably won't!
We liked it overall quite well but no. 1 of all Things to do in Chicago is not for us!!
The selection and prices in the small cafe are absolutely deficient!

Exceptional collection! A bit pricey. Crowded on the weekends. You’ll need at least 1.5 hours to tour the entire museum. Highly recommend this museum.

Amazing place to enjoy a few cool hours amongst incredible beauty! Well organized exhibits and I appreciated all the information provided.

Went to the Art Institute for the day. We enjoyed the exhibits. The building is really spread out so plan to spend time here. We were slightly disappointed as some of the paintings we had hoped to see where out of rotation at that time. Museum really got busy around lunch which is unfortunate because entry begins at 11:00 which seems late. Also we heard several staff members complaining about their jobs, this was a first for us, been to many museums and staff are usually thrilled to be there. Staff tended to come across as very annoyed with patrons as if that was the norm, condescending tones and unnecessarily firm corrections. All of this from staff tainted our experience. Nicest employee we encountered were the staff checking in bags.

An astonishingly vast collection. They have a coat check room (novel to us from temperate climates), They have a cafe, sculpture and you really can't see it all in one day. But, it's worth trying.

This museum has an amazing collection, possibly the best museum I've ever visited. It is a bit confusing to get to the wing that houses the Arts of the Americas, but otherwise it was fantastic.

Never making my past travel itineraries through Chicago, when I learned this was a "stop" on the bigbus tour route, I bumped it up in priority

I didn't get to see everything I wanted to because hunger set it, but it's a neat place to explore. The miniature rooms display and familial pictures over the years of the Brown sisters (restroom corridor) are the exhibits seen now 2 months ago that standout in my mind.

It is museum that you can see lots of arts from different times . People working were also nice we had nice time over here ..

I happened to end up at The Art Institute after seeing there was the Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde exhibit. It was amazing!! There were so many stunning works in the exhibit. I am so glad the Van Gogh exhibit drew me in because all the other works are lovely too! They have so many amazing painting and different mediums on display. I would highly recommend checking it out when in Chicago!

magnificent museum, with many very interesting collections; easy to get lost despite the plan!
small downside: no documentation available in a language other than English, which is disappointing in a museum of this level.

We highly recommend this museum visit. We were so amazed at the collections. Grab a guide pamphlet and look at the back. It gives you suggestions to keep your visit at less than 2 hours.

The museum is filled with art treasures. We were enjoying ourselves until we took the 1 PM gallery tour. Instead of learning about art, we were subjected to hate filled rants about our country’s history and current politics. Examples include blaming the French Revolution on George Washington’s “callous” refusal to repay the king of France for supporting the American Revolution. “Nazis in the American government have shutdown the National Gallery because art speaks truth to power.” Etc.

If you want to learn about Art, I recommend sticking with Google.

Beautiful museum with its architecture and its historical, modern works of art. Hours of bliss to get lost and let yourself be discovered, a must to visit in this superb city that is Chicago

One of the best museums in the world. The mix between modern and classical art is incredible, giving you a view of some of the masters.

Brilliant art collection. Second only to London’s National Gallery (entry - free) IMHO. The Impressionists are the stars but you’ve also got American Gothic, Nighthawks and a very good 20th c collection. I enjoyed it a lot all though the layout is still pretty incomprehensible, even with a map but that does mean you discover great stuff you didn’t aim to see.

Such an amazing place u can’t see everything in one day there is soo much to see at least u need 2 days so u don’t have to run all around place to see everything

Tip have your home town museum card - they have a great reciprocal program (not listed on website). Place has century's of art and buildings. The buildings span rail lines and many levels. The room numbers will help you find the Hopper, Renoir, Wood, Seurat, Cassatt or O'Keeffe. Docents are very helpful when you do not know your building that you are in....
There are two places to grab a bite. The Market has hot meals and a bar plus outdoor seating while the Modern Café is coffee and snacks.

One of the oldest and largest museums in the US, The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), founded on 1879, has two beautiful gardens -- North Garden (Sculpture Garden) and South Garden.

AIC North Garden was designed by a landscape architect Laurie Olin, it was built in 1962 and opened to public in 1963. In the garden, there are several Abstract Art sculptures installed on the lawns, near the paved walkways, under the large trees. These are the artworks of David Smith (Cubi VII, 1963), Henry Moore (Large Interior Form, 1953-54), Alexander Calder (Flying Dragon, 1975). The vast grounds of the park are a perfect place for relaxation: there are multiple benches in the shade, paved walkways around the lawn --everything is so comforting and beautiful, especially in the warm seasons, when the visitors like to spend more time in the open air, walking around or resting, and enjoying the art.

AIC South Garden is a true masterpiece, designed by a famous landscape architect Dan Kiley, and built in 1962--1967. As a grid-structure garden, South Garden is a striking example of regular geometry. The unforgettable centerpiece sculpture Fountain of the Great Lakes (1907- 1913) is a grand artwork by a world-renowned landscape architect Lorado Taft. The large bronze sculpture depicts five women, symbolizing the 5 Great Lakes. The sculpture is flanked by Sargent crabapple trees, and in front of it there's a pool of water with a grid of low jets. At the sides of the pool, in the raised planters with marble edges, there are sixteen hawthorn trees, their branches forming a dense overhead canopy. There are benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the whole scenery. The huge honey locust trees at the entrance to the garden also screen the garden from the busy South Michigan Avenue.

South Garden has peaceful and quiet ambiance, and its beauty is mesmerizing. The garden was awarded Centennial Medallion by the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1999.

I enjoyed visiting these wonderful gardens in early fall. The AIC North and South Gardens are perfect places to visit, to relax, and to admire the marvels of modern art.

This museum was just amazing to visit. The visitors guide helped us to navigate to some of the more significant pieces due to our time available. We have traveled to various museums around the world and I can say that this museum has a very impressive collection.

Bernie was a terrific guide. Very knowledgeable and it's great to get all that insider knowledge, history, and trivia. Makes the experience so much better than just reading plaques.

When I went they had an especially good number of their big hitters out. You never know exactly what you'll see since all the restoration work means specific pieces can rotate in and out. But overall it just can't be beat. Many different time periods and areas are included. You can go from feudal Japan to Renaissance Italy to modern American art in one trip.

They had Van Gogh's self-portrait, a bunch of Monet. And the famous painting - George Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, made famous by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. And my favorite artist, Richter, in both abstract and photos. They even have a cafeteria in case you need supplies. Did I mention the giant collection of Buddhist sculptures they had at the time? Or...

You do not need reservations but it is less busy the earlier you go. You are spoiled by choice within eras, styles or subject. Hard to see everything in one day. The downside is the buildings are a rabbit warren of corridors and rooms and we found the map almost incomprehensible.
The sheer volume of artworks, and so many by masters, makes it hard to pick out any particular favorites. Having said that the Tiffany window in the main staircase is astonishing and inspirational.
On the downside, we thought the all black , all white and similar canvases in the contemporary art section were a waste of space. I hope they did not cost much.
The self-order food court was easy and quick.

Not an art guy but you'll see stuff you've seen on TV. It's one of those places you can say you've been to. Teen boys got slightly board but there was no Xbox there. Would go back and expect to spend 2 hours + there for you art folks. 10 minute walk from Riverwalk hotel, 5 minute walk from Millennium Park, Buy tickets ahead of time so you don't have to stand in line.

This art museum was perfect, is just so nice, is one of the best museums I have ever been in my life. Is very clean, aesthetic and minimalist. It has a very large amount of art, including pieces of art from famous artists and painters, like Van Gogh and Picasso. When I went there was an exposition of Georgia Okeffe that had an extra cost in our tickets but it was totally worth it. Please come to the Art Institute, is beautiful.

The structure itself is wonderful to see and I particularly enjoy impressionists and there is quite a lot of their works on display. The featured artist event was very enjoyable.

There's something for everyone in the Art Institute with ancient-contemporary art from all around the world. They also generously allow free admission to children, teenagers, vets and Illinois residents on special days.

I just saw the Caravaggio exhibit from the Italian Renaissance and Camille Claudel's sculptures from early twentieth century France. Both were very moving and it is nice to see a female artist honored.

Love this museum! They always have new exhibits that are thought provoking and interesting. We went to see the Georgia O'Keeffe New York Exhibit. You have to pay an extra $10 per person to see that, but worth it. It gives you another side of her that you may not get at her museum in New Mexico. It also provides an entree into her work in New Mexico. Interesting that is introduced to you with no outside influence of the Depression and what was going on around the country/world at the time. Also love the other exhibits in the museum. We also sat outside and had a spritz and sweet potato fries. Nice to sit and relax for a while in an inviting environment.

If you're visiting, know that it's humanly impossible to take in everything in one full day, so don't run yourself ragged trying. I have been to the Art Institute ten times over the last five years and I've just now finished seeing most of the complex.

What I've seen that has stuck with me are:
- how big the Murakami piece at the very top corner of the modern art wing is
- the Egyptian exhibit. I have so many questions
- the brushstrokes on van Gogh's Self-Portrait
- seeing the same Memphis-designed chair at two different exhibits (mood)
- an exhibit on ceramics that looked like trash, alien plants, etc. by Japanese artisans

The maps that I picked up during my latest visit had a suggested path for what to see within two hours, showing the Art Institute is trying to get people to visit if they're short on time. The pieces are mostly uber popular ones (American Gothic, etc). I would use this as a starting point, but please take in the descriptions and feel free to wander - the curators and staff do an amazing job providing context and a sense of place for all the pieces to breathe. It's the reason I never hesitate to come back.

I always enter through the steps featuring the bronze lions - it's two blocks down from the loop CTA and three from the Red Line. There are usually unaffiliated folks drumming on paint buckets outside You can enter from the modern wing as well but it's not as iconic.

Logistically, you will likely need to bag check your bag if you have one, so you should do that before being told by the security team to. It is free, though, as long as you have a ticket. Beyond that, jackets seem to be fine if they're not bulky / large / wet. Water bottles are fine to bring with you, but you should obviously be careful as to when/where you drink. There are refill stations by all the bathrooms. Bathrooms are pretty clean (for a big city downtown bathroom, and for a big tourist attraction bathroom).

I would 100% recommend taking a paper map (they are free!) and looking up what pieces you want to look at on the Art Institute site using their free wi-fi. Every room is numbered, but the numbering is confusing, so you will need to look up where the room where the piece is and then how to get there using your map.

The gift shop is a lot. Even the postcards are overpriced versus other museums downtown, so I've never bought anything in any of my visits. Go to a locally owned bookstore and you'd find a lot of the same stuff outside of the art merch. I haven't eaten at the museum cafe, but considering how many fast casual places there are right outside, you can do a price check and see if it makes sense.

The Art Institute is a place that showcases art. If you want to do something fun or interesting in Chicago, I recommend finding something else to do.

There is so much to see here! You could easily be here for hours. Make sure to grab a map, if you are pressed for time there are recommendations for an hour long visit.

I love this museum. I visited the miniature rooms on the lower level- unique and astonishing! I also enjoyed the Chagall stained glass and the Stock Exchange room along with my favorite Modern and Impressionist works. I had a bit of trouble finding things but it's not bad to be lost in a museum. I recommend buying your ticket online to save time.

We are members so can pop in at any time. Recently enjoyed the Georgia O’Keefe exhibit which features her work done in NYC, rather than her better known New Mexico work depicting clouds, skulls and high desert vistas.

Haven’t been here since my youth but enjoyed 3-4 hours here on recent trip to Chicago. It was amazing but plan to sit and rest every hour or so. The Thorne miniature rooms kept me occupied for a good hour to start. Amazing walk through interior design since the 1700s in America and Europe. The Roman sculpture gallery is almost a religious experience. I spent the most time in the pre 1900 American wing (Winslow Homer and Hudson River School) and the French impressionist gallery.

Food: I initially trekked way up the stairs to the cafe above the Modern wing but it was way overcrowded, no sandwiches and $15 for a snack of grapes and cheese! Instead really enjoyed a late lunch at the marketplace which has a nice view out into the back courtyard —- was excellent but pricey at $35 and enjoyed a a caprese sandwich on ciabatta and French onion soup and a juice. They were closing around 3:30-4 it seemed though.

So many other highlights. Everything was immaculately clean, quiet and patrons were generally polite but expect congregations that move slowly around the iconic works. Better to move on and come back later when they clear out as they seem to go in spurts.

Well worth the price if you are an art lover!

Place is overwhelmingly huge and you will need not only 1 day but maybe 3 to actually enjoy the entire building's exhibitions. We when as part of a city pass and the entrance was for free however you still need to go online and get register. The lines where long but not for the city pass so I really recommend to get that if you can. I really enjoyed all the exhibitions and definitely need to go back and see what we had left. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepare to walk a whole lot.

Great exhibits, sister museum to Nelson Atkins. Toured on a Sunday. Beings walking shoes. Lots of things to see great staff
To help

I absolutely loved this place so much, every time I come back to visit I will absolutely make time to visit, there is so much to see. I highly recommend going in the early morning so there isn’t such a crowd and you can move at your own pace without people getting in your way. There are plenty of classics, originals, and artists you haven’t heard of, it’s great. A must see for sure and the gift shop has copies of what you have seen so you can bring them home.

This museum is filled to the brim with treasures - everyone is sure to find something to their liking. Impressionist paintings, modern art, Egyptian and Asian collections - we really enjoyed our visit! Only down side was that there isn't much in terms of meal offerings for picky children - keep that in mind in planning your visit!

On a short trip to Chicago for Memorial Day week-end –my daughter I didn’t want to miss the major attraction of this Art Museum, but we were short on time – not to fear – the museum offers a brochure on the most essential pieces in the collection- and believe me this is a massive museum with an overwhelming collection

The brochure helps you to locate these major pieces via a map – that has some use but is a bit confusing – and fortunately there are guides to assist – conveniently located (all are not as knowledge as another but really try to be helpful) It took us about two hours – but we got to see all of the recommended pieces and a few not on the list including the American Gothic – which is not on the list (?)

But to be up close to the Picasso’s work and the Rodan’s and Jatte’s A Sunday on La Grande, among others was amazing and even though there was some satisfaction in completing the fast route – you could easily spend an entire day here – and because I feel there was so much more to see; it is one of the reasons I feel like it’s worth returning to Chicago

It’s was crazy busy, I get it. December, rainy day, the museum is warm and huge! Tons of rooms to explore. I always hit this museum when I visit Chicago. If you’re a museum person or an art fan this is a must see! My favorite space is the design and city planning galleries

Very nice place I really recommend c too beautiful architecture and beautiful I recommend to all I advise you to

I decided to visit the museum because I knew that I would enjoy the Thorne Miniatures - this was a VERY neat and interesting exhibit - I highly recommend to people that appreciate miniatures - I love fairy gardens and though I knew the exhibit was not of fairy gardens I still knew it would be something I would really like - tiny rooms decorated as they would have been years ago - some from other countries - many from USA! Unfortunately, I was not interested in any other exhibit or art work in the museum.

Imposing and architecturally very beautiful buildings along Michigan Avenue. In Millennium Park, you have to pay attention because free events and musical shows are organized!

Have been to many of the major museums in Europe, and this museum is on par or better than some of the best there. I was amazed by the breadth and depth of the collection. My only complaint is that that the museum opening hours aren't longer. This museum should be a must-see for any art lover.

Marvelous! Amazing! Artful! Worthwhile! Pleasure! So much to see and to learn. A great way to spend the day. Beautiful views. Great gift shop!

Art is how we look at our world and ourselves. Given that, there were many points of view in this museum. From primitive clay figures to ornate Renaissance scenes, there was the whole gamut of human experience.
It was crowded because of the time of year. Dress as light as possible for comfort and rest your feet. It's so big, you may not see it all.

What a great experience. The architecture is amazing. The art is full of surprises. The app is greatly useful and resourceful. The store is very complete and nice. Please go and enjoy a full day of art for everyone!

Great tour. Excellent guide. Tour runs for about 3 hours and was comprehensive of the entire complex within time constraints. I fully recommend it.

very nice museum with interesting exhibits. Warhol in particular and Monet. We had the tickets included in the Chicago Pass. No Waiting time and everything works great

The Art Institute is huge and has impressive exhibits. You can spend hours here. Absolute recommendation

We had 4.5 hours here and did around half - American, Modern, Impressionists, European (missing Asian, Japan, Classical, Armour...)
Just one smack you around the senses after another
One room - 1 ROOM - had 6+ Monet and 6+ Van Gough. That's, what, $2 to 5 hundred million in one room?
Most staff helpful, and offering help unsolicited (though the women upstairs at the Modern Wing entry is on the wrong job [quite rude] and the cloakroom lady not much better)
Nice comfortable temperature. Sufficient seating, though it wasn't too busy
Main issue - it opens too late. 11am is late.!

My drea finally was fulflled.This was in my bucket list some years back.This is a must seeing the beautiful art work.
Amazing experience.

Very good stay, a beautiful view around and has a delicious gastronomy. Beautiful beaches, good lunch and good dinner for a romantic evening

"That's not my job! -- Why did you point at me! -- Why are you yelling?" Just a few of the unacceptable lies and evasions a supervisor said to me, a paying member, instead of engaging with the topic of my complaint at the Art Institute. That's how my visit, the WORST day I've ever spent at a museum anywhere in the world, began. Then my up to date membership card didn't work for admission. Then an employee at the café STOLE MY LUNCH! I stepped 10 feet away to refill my coffee, leaving my walking cane leaning on my chair, without stacking my dishes -- and the staffer dumped out my food and covered it with garbage, without first looking around or asking if I were finished. Most temporary exhibits have no directional signs to help you find them. There's no printed list of temporary exhibits, and the printed maps are out of date. One area of the permanent collection seems to be inaccessible, even though it's promoted on the website, and the staff at the membership desk DID NOT KNOW whether or not those galleries were open. There is no information or directional desk. The coat check guy was nice. He was dealing with a line of customers all alone, while several other employees next to him sat around idle. It's a huge building with a huge collection. The staff seem to be doing their very best to make it as confusing as possible and to be as unhelpful as possible; they get bonus points for being rude. I worked with the public for decades and I would've been fired for saying and doing any of several things that the Art Institute staff did to me on this visit. Horrifying, rude, offensive, unforgivable.

This place was amazing! We didn’t realize how big it truly is and could have spent the entire day enjoying all of the art. The building itself is gorgeous. Even our non art enthusiasts in the group found something to enjoy. You can get close to famous paintings by Van Gogh, Seurat, Monet, and more. If you’ve never been to an art museum, then you MUST make time to stop here. The employees were so friendly and helpful. Be sure to grab a map when you arrive.

Wow! This place is amazing. I can't believe what treasures it holds. This is a must. The Impressionist works make you think you are in Europe. The Asian works were very cool as well and there were South American works too. Overall a great place to walk through and enjoy at your own pace.

Spent half a day here with a friend to see the most well known pieces of art this museum has and I felt like we only glimpsed a fee highlights. Firstly, be mindful that if you enjoy looking at and reading about every piece, it will probably take you several days (at least) to see everything on display - this place is MUCH larger than it looks from outside. Secondly, plan in some time to navigate between floors/rooms. Even with a map, it was somewhat difficult to determine which way to go, which stairway or elevator went to which level and it's very easy to get lost. We stumbled across some incredible displays while trying to find an exit.

The collections here are excellent, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. We particularly loved the medieval art and the room full of medieval armor and weaponry, as well as the Greek/Roman sculpture halls.

The musuem does have a bag/coat check near the entrance, so you do not have to carry your things with you throughout the musuem, which is nice. You can also go through the security check just to shop in thr gift shop if you don't want to enter the museum itself.

In several exhibit halls, there were employees screaming every few minutes at people that touching the art was not allowed or that recording video was not allowed (but apparently you can take as many photos as you'd like), which had a tendency to take away from the quiet experience of enjoying the art. I couldn't tell if they were just acting like a pre-recorded loop of reminders or if they were yelling at specific people, but they could have handled this better.

The Art Institute of Chicago has an impressive collection of European and American art. The collection of European paintings were impressive (van Gogh, Renoir, Menzel to name a few), but what I liked the most was the collection of pop art by artists like Andy Warhole and Roy Lichtenstein. Truly remarkable pieces!

Amazing place which needs more than one stay. Every angle of art is covered. If staying longer consider a inexpensive year membership. Free introductions to new expositions etc are included - next to free entry.

I have been going to the Art institute since I was a child! My mother took me and I took my children! Now they are grown and we still look forward to seeing the special exhibits together as well as our classic favorites. After a visit to their impressionists section you will appreciate and be inspired by the art!

Wonderful Experience. Everyone lovely and all was great! I loved just being there and having a good peaceful time! It Rocks!

This was my first visit, and it did not disappoint! What a wonderful museum. We especially enjoyed the Impressionists and the Thorne Miniature Rooms. There was a lot we did not get to see as we only had a partial day. To see the whole collection would take many days. I would suggest planning out your visit online before you go so that you make the best use of your time and don't miss anything. In nice weather, be sure to visit the lovely cafe in the courtyard by the fountain.

Must do plece in Chicago downtown. Beautiful paintings collection, very well maintained Museum. The hall where Swami Vivekananda ji gave speech in 1893, was the most memorable place for us. Not very crowded very easy to explore. Highly recommend 👌

In my twenties I minored in art history in college. I thought about that again as I walked through this beautiful museum. Here you will be taught art history in a concise 6, 7 hours. What a collection! Very complete, from the ancient Egyptians via the Greeks and Romans to the Middle Ages, to Asian and pre-Columbian art, to impressionist and expressionist painting, and then on to the present. I really enjoyed it, suddenly it was 5 pm and I had to leave the museum, but I was far from done. In short, a reason to return to Chicago.

An impressive collection of works from all eras. The collection of Impressionists is unique in the world.

you name it ,they have it , from Bacon to El Greco , Picasso to Grant Wood , Van Gogh to Warhol ,O'Keeffe where do you stop ,you don't Monet ,Hopper , Dali ?? probably or maybe Landscape in Light STUNNING.

I am not one to necessarily go out of my way to go to art museums though I was very impressed by the large collection. They have paintings from van Gogh, Monet, Gauguin, Cezanne, Renoir, and Picasso.

The experience is amazing. You can expend a whole day if you want but 3 hours are enough. Thousands of paintings in contact with top artists around the world. With Citypass you do not require a pre booking. Pictures are allowed. MoMa and this one are my favorites in America.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! This was such a wonderful way for us to end our visit/vacation! Thank you SO MUCH Ms. Darlene King and Leneese for the welcome, we appreciate you both! This was our last day of vacation and we decided to visit The Art Institute of Chicago, it was the right decision. I do have to admit that I have a new phone and I was "that person" that snap the flash photo on the tomb. I was embarrassed (as I should have been, I should have checked to see if the flash was on) and frustrated with myself when Ms. Tam and another associate yelled out "NO FLASH"! Please forgive me! From this day forward, I will have my husband to take ALL photos! LoL! We look forward to visiting and seeing the new exhibits next year/two years from now, thank you for all that you do! The art is exquisite and worth the view, the experience is priceless! In regards to parking, there is a parking garage across the street. Getting out of the parking garage was like a maze to us, however, we probably didn't pay close attention. The parking fee was not bad at all. If time permits and the weather is good, you may want to also check out the local areas nearby, we will most certainly visit during our next vacation.

Many famous and unknown works.Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, American Gothic and others. Liked the modern best.

Allow plenty of time to do the collections at this large museum/gallery justice. There are of course many famous pieces of art to see, but you will also happen upon other interesting items if you don't rush between all the best-known ones.

We were disappointed that the cafe did not offer more seating options - we were there on a Thursday when the Institute stays open late, but only one cafe remains open after 4pm. When you are spending many hours wandering galleries, you appreciate the chance to sit down while having some refreshment, and although we did manage the first time to find a table, we thought we would return for another drink later on but there were just no seats available so we didn't purchase anything in the end.

See art from around the world presented in a gorgeous setting. Works are displayed according to time period in serpentine galleries similar to the Louvre’s or the Met’s layout. A no brainer when you’re visiting Chicago. Use the institutes website to make your own custom tour ahead of time. Do yourself a favor and take the time to balance between visiting the objects you most want to see with just letting your eye wander.

I’ve been to art museums all over the country and this is definitely one of the best! Besides having the biggest monet collection in the country, they have everything else you can imagine. I like art I do not love it. I do LOVE this museum. It’s well worth the trip

The Art Institute of Chicago has been and always will be an icon of Chicago. They constantly add interesting exhibits and one never tires of seeing the classics! This is a wonderful experience.

If you are visiting Chicago for a day or a weekend or even a week, there are three attractions you must see--the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park and Navy Pier. And each is within walking distance of the other. Start at the Art Institute, one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, with the two lions guarding the entrance, at the south end of Millennium Park, it is home to a collection of art that spans centuries and the world, one of TripAdvisor's "Best of the Best" attractions in this country. I'll never forget the few hours my wife and I spent browsing through a special Norman Rockwell exhibit. Even Ferris Bueller spent time here, admiring the masterpieces. Browse through exhibitions from as far back as 1883. Founded in 1879, the Art Institute covers 5,000 years of art and culture and features 300,000 art works and artifacts. Open from 11 to 5 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and 11 to 8 on Thursday, it displays many paintings by Monet, Renoir, Homer, Degas, Manet, Whistler, Sargent, Toulouse Lautrec and Cezanne. Looking for a good place to start your museum visit? Join a knowledgeable guide for a tour of museum icons and lesser known treasures. The tour begins at the Grand Staircase, on the first level near the glass doors. The Art Institute is ranked among the top 10 art and design schoolsin the world, has been named the "most influential art college in the United States"and is ranked No. 2 among all graduate fine arts programs in the nation. It has strong holdings in impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, contemporary art, early 20th century European paintings and sculpture, Japanese prints and photography. See Grant Wood's 1930 American Gothic, Vincent van Gogh's 1887 Self-Portrait, Claude Monet's 1906 Water Lilies, Andy Warhol's 1972 Mao, Paul Cezanne's 1893 The Basket of Apples, Pierre Auguste Renoir's 1881 Two Sisters on the Terrace, Monet's 1867 The Beach at Sainte Adresse, Henride Toulouse Lautrec's 1892-95 At the Moulin Rouge and Georges Seurat's 1884 A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. Two current exhibitions are Frida Kahla's Month in Paris: A Friendship with Mary Reynolds and Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection. There's never a dull moment at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Pure rip-off! Outrageous entrance fees for families. Higher prices than in New York art museums.
It is difficult to find your way around the museum and despite having a map you are constantly searching for the right exhibition rooms.

I visited the museum with my friends and it was a great experience. The museum is beautiful with wonderful works of art. A must-visit in Chicago.

What a fantastic Impressionist gallery! A beautifully designed museum with incredible art. Bring headphones and download the interactive museum app in your phone for free. Highly recommend.

Fantastic range of art work on show - we mainly looked at the modern, primarily American art, e.g. Rockwell, O'Keefe, Wood. You could easily spend the whole day in here and I don't think we even touched the surface. Well worth a visit for any art lovers.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-renowned museum that offers an extraordinary collection of art from various cultures and time periods.

Located in the heart of Chicago, this museum is a must-visit for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

The museum’s vast collection includes iconic pieces such as Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, and Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks1.

The museum is well-organized, making it easy to navigate through its numerous galleries.

The Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, is particularly impressive, housing contemporary masterpieces in a bright and airy space.

The Thorne Miniature Rooms and the Impressionist collection are also highlights that should not be missed1.

The museum also offers various tours, including guided and self-guided options, to enhance the visitor experience.

I was fortunate to be in town with my daughter to enjoy one of my favorite artists:

The Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit, titled “My New Yorks,” is a captivating exploration of the artist’s time in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. This exhibit showcases a different side of O’Keeffe, known primarily for her depictions of flowers and Southwestern landscapes. Instead, “My New Yorks” focuses on her urban landscapes and architectural studies.

The exhibit features over 50 paintings, sketches, and photographs that highlight O’Keeffe’s fascination with the city’s skyscrapers and bustling streets. Notable works include The Shelton with Sunspots, N.Y. and East River from the 30th Story of the Shelton Hotel, which offer unique perspectives on the city’s architecture and skyline23.

O’Keeffe’s ability to capture the essence of New York City through her distinct style is truly remarkable. The exhibit also includes personal artifacts and letters, providing a more intimate look at her life and artistic process during this period.

Overall, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit offer an enriching and inspiring experience. Whether you’re an art aficionado or simply looking for a cultural outing, both the museum and the exhibit are well worth your time.

A world class museum that contains some of my favorite paintings because the extremely wealthy of Chicago acquired them duiring the Gilded Age and then gave them to the city. A beautiful museum with lots of treasures.

We came from the museums in Washington and New York and we expected something of a similar standard. But no.
The average level of the works is, that, medium. The placement of the works is chaotic, with rooms scattered without a clear order. With artists who have nothing to do with each other in the same room.
Important works are scarce and, since they do not have enough American artists, they include as Americans European artists such as Mies Van der Rohe or László Moholy-Nagy. Of course, indicating the country of birth on the poster.
In the museum shop there are many objects of paintings and artworks. But none of them are in the museum.
A separate chapter deserves the blueprint, which seems to be made to confuse you, rather than to help you, (we are two architects and are familiar with all kinds of blueprints). On one page is floor 1 and 2. In another; the basement and 3. The basement is divided into two uncommunicated areas and is not explained,
In addition, as a guide photo of the type of works in each room, works that are not in the museum are put on (For example; the Impressionists' room is marked with a photo of Van Gohg's room that is not in the museum).
Very disappointed.

FABULOUS ART MUSEUM WITH VARIED COLLECTIONS. SECOND LARGEST IN USA. What a lovely way to spend a few hours while in Chicago

I heard that it is one of the three major museums in the United States, along with the Metropolitan and Boston, and it is true that the scope of the collection and the artistry of the building itself (designed by world-renowned architects such as Tadao Ando) are remarkable. The museum's unique exhibit is a miniature dollhouse in the basement. The collection is a detailed recreation of the interiors of hundreds of years-old mansions in Europe and the United States, forming a unique worldview.

Absolutely a must for anyones first, second, third... and so on visit to Chicago. The art is most certainly something to not miss in a ones lifetime; but the amazing staff, clean facilities, great mapping and stunning site make it even more enjoyable.

I was aware of the reputation of this establishment but... Oh man. There's everything. So well laid out, with plenty of space. I thought I'd done a reasonably methodical walkthrough (I was limited for time due to my flight), and in the gift shop realized I'd missed some incredible pieces. Still amazed at the contents of their collection.

pretty mid ngl. if it had some subway surfers then 5. Lions were pretty cool. but also pretty packed. maybe if I had a wife I would feel better. but apparently I.O.S 3 doesnt allow tinder. Im lonely.

This was my 2nd visit to the museum. It's SO huge and sprawling out over several buildings/levels. But they also have helpful guides either on the phone app or printed versions you can pick up there, that will give you options for shorter 'must see' tours if you are on a time limit, and plenty of employee guides situated everywhere around to give you directions. Even with those, be prepared to walk a lot to the various spots since not many things are concentrated in one area. They want you to meander through and hopefully see A LOT, which you will. There are elevators, but they tend to be tucked out of the way and you might have to go out of your way to get to the next one bringing you up or down to whichever level you want to stop at. Still, a must see for any art lovers when you are in Chicago.

I visited the Art Institute only to study the impressionist paintings, alas I had no time for more. The Institute boasts an incredible collection of many of the greatest impressionist and post-impressionist masters (3 hours were barely enough just to see this wing). For me the indisputable star was Seurat’s Grande Jatte. Having seen dozens of reproductions and read a good number of books on this painting I was blown away when standing in front of it. To really appreciate it you may want to step back a good 20 feet or more to enjoy it fully. An unforgettable experience.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-visit cultural gem. Its vast collection spans centuries and continents, showcasing masterpieces from renowned artists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso. The museum's impressive exhibits, beautiful architecture, and engaging events make it a top destination for art lovers worldwide.

I can't express enough how much I love this museum. I was amazed by the amount of artwork from masters. "A Sunday in the Park" by George Seurat, "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, "The Nighthawks" by Edward Hooper... and many more impressionist and surrealist. I spent a good 4 hours going through all the rooms. There even was a Mies Van De Rhoe exhibit, since he was a prominent architect in Chicago.

There were plenty of sculptural artwork throughout the many rooms. I didn't' spend too much time in those rooms, but there are some interesting ancient artifacts.

The museum is worth a visit, even though it was very crowded. There was a long line at the ticket office. I saw an elderly woman ask the admission staff if she could urgently use the toilet 3 meters away and then buy the ticket. She was rudely sent back and turned away. I found that unbelievable. I could see the person then walk across the street to Starbucks.

A little expensive, but it has a very good variety and good selection. Very good experience. Recommended, the only thing I wouldn't recommend is paying extra for the Van Gogh exhibition.

The Art lovers it’s a Breathtaking experience to attend. It’s an amazing art museum with great masterpieces of history that worth a visit.
The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States.
Famous for its huge collection of works such as Pablo Picasso, Arshile Gorky, Edward Hopper, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Vincent van Gogh and many others.

The museum was one of four must sees on our trip to Chicago. We entered through the modern wing adjacent to Millennium Park. Even with a map, the museum can be disorienting, and it took several attempts to find some of the pieces we wanted to see. We finally got our bearings and saw everything on our list, and a lot more. I would recommend this to everyone coming to Chicago.

If you want to see well known art and an enormous range of everything else this must be one of the best in the world. It ranges from ancient to contemporary. being a US museum it was great to see Hoppers - Nighthawks and Grant Woods, American Gothic. You can spend a lot of time here but you will need to be disciplined if you are going to do it in 2 hours.

I was here also in 2021. Didn't get to see it all. This time I could take my time.
The place is immense. To see everything literally would take about 4 hours or more.
The downside of this place, is that for such an attraction, they have limited hours. It's closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Thursdays are 11 to 8 and Friday through Monday are 11 to 5. Such limited hours for such a popular place. If you are a member, you can get in at 10 a.m. Otherwise, they don't open until 11 a.m.
I got to Chicago around 9 a.m. So what to do? Things to know that might help. One, there is parking underground off Michigan Avenue, accessed in the middle of the street. I was parked there for about 5 hours, so it cost me $34. I wandered around by the waterfront nearby before the place opened. Lots to see. For me it wasn't a problem, but if you have limited physical ability, find another way to "kill time" before the place opens. You will be doing a lot of walking in the museum itself.
There is a Starbucks across the street that is open. You could hang out there.
And it should be noted that visiting this place will not be cheap. The museum cost me $36, $10 for a special van Gough exhibit, and $26 for regular admission. Plus the $34 for parking, and it starts to add up. So the question is: Was it worth it?
Absolutely yes. This is one of the premiere art locations in the U.S. It has artwork that you will immediately recognize and seeing it first hand, to see the actual artwork, which is always much better than seeing a print or seeing it in a book, was worth the price, at least to me. If you love seeing art, you will love this place. Allow lots of time; don't rush things (unless you have no choice.) There is a lot to see.
There are two basic sections to the place; a main building, and another building that goes over the train tracks. The latter contains mostly modern art.
There are restrooms in the basement, and others dispersed throughout the place. Lots of stairs, but they also have elevators, and there are wheelchairs available if one has that need. There are a lot of stairs leading up to the building, but there is a handicapped ramp to one side. You can sit on the stairs and wait. That is also an option.

Along with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, it is one of the leading museums in the United States. It is one of Chicago's must-see attractions. In addition to paintings, the museum also has an extensive collection of handicrafts and Asian Buddhist statues, and it can take up to a day just to take a quick look, so you can enter first thing in the morning and eat at the on-site cafe at noon. If you enjoy it personally, you can take pictures of the work.

The Art Institute of Chicago offers a rich and immersive experience, showcasing some of the world’s most significant artworks. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a casual observer, a visit to this museum will be a highlight of your Chicago journey.

While the Museum is known for its Impressionist and Post impressionist art, it has well over 300,000 pieces of art in different mediums including galleries of Japanese art, South Asian art, African art, and even some incredibly ancient MongoLiam coral jewelry. Yesterday I attended the incredible Pan-Africa show which highlighted works from artists from Africa, Latin America, Caribbean, and a couple from South Asia/Middle East with a tremendous learning component about negritude, quilombismo, and blackness.

Strikingly, it explored the art of these objects as a construction, a sonic and visual marker and built upon ideas raised by the philosophical and cultural movement interviews, ethnographic surveys, and visual abstraction to alert us to the effects of race on the individual psyche.

Notable masterpieces include: 
• A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884) by Georges Seurat: quintessential example of pointillism
•The Bedroom by Vincent van Gogh (1889): One of van Gogh’s most celebrated works, depicting his bedroom in Arles
•Nighthawks by Edward Hopper (1942) an iconic portrayal of urban isolation of a bar
•American Gothic by Grant Wood (1930):
defining piece of American art with a father and daughter in their rural home

The Museum has featured works by local Chicago artists like Theodore Halkin, Evelyn Statsinger, Barbara Rossi, and Christina Ramberg, as well as showcasing the origins of artists like Ed Paschke and LeRoy Neiman and Norman Teague.

More specifics— tickets range from $19-25, free for UIC students, IL residents on Thursdays (next free hours for Illinois residents will be Free Thursday Evenings, June 1–September 25, 2025) and discounted for students. Coffee is available in a lounge inside the Museum; tripods, monopods, handheld microphones, and selfie sticks are not allowed anywhere in the museum.

The Museum shop is a great place to pick up t-shirts and is wonderfully curated!

You can easily spend an entire day here without being bored!

I heard and read this place enormous...and indeed it is! This expansive museum is filled to the brim with art...ancient, medieval, enlightenment, art nouveau , contemporary, renaissance, expressionist, impressionist, modern, weird, and weirder from all parts of the world. I don't love art, but I do like it, and with that I spent close to 3 hours in here! And I'm still not quite sure if I saw everything. Even if you don't like art, it's a great place to hide out if its raining. Words can't describe all this, just see the pictures posted. $32 for an adult, no cost to check your jacket and backpack.

Had a great day with my teenage daughter. Enjoyed the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit. Denise at the baggage check took great care of our bags and couldn’t have been more warm and friendly.

I had applied for an art loan for the first and the manager within this department came off rude and gave wrong information

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the greatest art museums in the world. You should definitely visit it.

How you want to approach this enormous collection depends on your tastes. This museum has something like 300,000 works plus special exhibits. You cannot possibly see everything, and if you try to speed through you will certainly miss something.

They have a section on their web site of what to see in an hour, but it is highly subjective. You should also leave yourself a little time to see something you might not otherwise think about but end up liking.

So, here is our advice. First, think about what you like. Be honest. If you don't like old oils, spend more time on what you do like. If you don't have much time, it might not make sense to concentrate on subtle prints.

Pick up a map as you come in (or go on line). Like many growing collections, sometimes related areas aren't next to each other. This museum is generally well-organized, but some things just don't fit neatly into a classic structure. Note that the galleries are numbered on the map and at the doorways to help you navigate around.

For what it's worth, likely the most famous/popular works are:

The Impressionist Art. This collection is just up the stairs on the second floor as you enter. On the map it will be galleries beginning with 240. It's popular. It includes several works by Van Gogh. One star of this section is the enormous pointillist Georges Seurat painting "A Sunday on La Grande Matte." You will recognize it immediately. You will also see works by Monet, Manet, and other Impressionists. Enjoy what you like.

If you like art from a little after this period, head into the large addition at the back of the museum to the galleries on the third floor, which have works by Picasso, Kandinsky, Warhol, and others from the 20th century. Along the stairway (technically gallery 249) is the Georgia O'Keeffe "Sky Above Clouds IV."

In terms of American art, this is in a separate wing that is toward the back of the museum and you'll probably need the map to find it. It contains the iconic "American Gothic" by Grant Wood (you know, the farm couple in front of a house that used to be on the Corn Flakes box) and "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper.

There are also extensive works from other continents including South America, Asia, and Africa. Again, use the map and if you have time, at least try to stop through to look closely at at least a few pieces. Many are very cool if you have a minute to focus on them. See, for example, the La Linda Nasca ceramic of an ancient Nasca goddess.

Just about everyone likes the armor court (Gallery 239).

We travel extensively and love to visit art museums. You probably want to give yourself 2-3 hours here, after which you will likely simply be tired. It's easy to take a break at one of the several cafes, but if you want to see more it may also be better to come back a second day rather than try to cram everything into one.

On a nice day, Millennium Park by the museum is great for walking and people watching.

This review is not for the museum that is certainly judgeable is beautifulo ,
but for the bar located in the garden 2caffe a cake 26 dollars, the coffee was cold, the staff very rude the great location, the coffee we asked to have it hot they brought it back heated in the microwave and without even a cup, the pastry was buona.sconsiglio to go there.

This museum is very nice. It is huge. Beautiful glass ceilings. The building itself is a work of art. Exhibits were nice and not to hard to navigate.

I think it is worth visiting, it is a spectacular museum, it has very important works by great artists.

The Art Institute of Chicago is very large, but because we made a plan before going, we were able to see everything on our list in two hours. By spending a bit more by becoming a Member ($115 vs. $68 for two Fast Pass admissions), we were able to enter at 10:00am instead of 11:00am and avoided any wait whatsoever. We will be able to use it on our return to Chicago next year as well, so it was definitely worth it. We went straight to the Member’s restaurant to enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and pastries. When exploring the galleries before the general admission crowds, we felt like the only people there. We had the iconic American Gothic and Nighthawks all to ourselves as well as several others on our list. Even though we did see our highlights, we can’t wait to return to spend more time soaking up the art and history.

The Art Institute's collection of ancient and modern artwork from throughout the globe has something to offer everyone. On particular days, they kindly grant free entrance to Illinois citizens, veterans, children, and teens.

I had always heard of the Art Institute and this was my first time visiting. It was phenomenal. One of the best, if not the best, art museum I've been to.

Museum extremely rich in works.
Incredible works of varied origins. A wing with a collection of impressionist paintings which is probably the most beautiful after the Musée d'Orsay. Well located in the city center and easy to access.
Obligatory passage in Chicago.

My husband and I recently visited Chicago for our anniversary and we paid a visit to the art institute. We encountered several angry employees here so clearly seem to hate their job and talk to visitors as if they are cattle (practically yelling at visitors to step away from the entrance, move here, move there, etc.) My husband asked an employee a question on what floor an exhibit was on and she was incredibly rude and said "Let me see the map!". Good lord.
Oddly enough, our Uber driver from the airport mentioned he loved the city but also told us the people of Chicago are rude, this place exemplified it.

You couldn't pay me to go back here, which is a shame.

It's easy to see why this museum is currently ranked the number one thing to do in Chicago. The museum is opened till 8 pm on Thursdays, which was the day we chose to visit. We actually spent about six hours at the museum, and there was still so much to see. It has the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art after Paris. We also greatly enjoyed the impressive Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde exhibition. Don't miss the Thorne Miniature Rooms which are quite fascinating. We purchased our tickets ahead of time to avoid the lines.

Incredible art. We could have spent the whole day. We spent hours and saw so many amazing pieces of art. Saw the Frieda Kahlo exhibit. Exhibits were larger than museums in Boston & NY. Go early to avoid big crowds. Got our steps in & then some! Would definitely return.

Poorly set up. There is no clear path to make sure you see everything and there’s no path to follow that hits everything. It’s up some stairs and then across and back down. It’s weirdly set up. And the art is probably the worst I’ve seen in a museum. Made me feel like I could be in a museum with my lack of talent.

We went to Chicago for a week with my wife and 16 year old son. My wife and I wanted to see the Art Institute of Chicago, my son, reluctantly agreed we could add it to the itinerary. I think he ended up enjoying it more than we did! Of course there were some things that we found more interesting, artists we knew of, but we spent about 6 hours there, didn't see it all, and he was still 100% engaged. We finally left because we were hungry and wanted to get dinner. Very much on our todo again list if we get the opportunity to go back to Chicago someday.

Beautiful, very well organized, and laid out. Beautiful exhibits. Staff excellent in returning a lost scarf. Chicago.

Amazing collection of Impressionist paintings and Modern Art.But most impressed with the Minature Rooms that I missed last year

I booked a semi private tour of the Art Institute Museum. My group of 6 people were guided around the museum for about 2.5 hours. It was detailed, focused and intimate. Our guide was super knowledgeable and funny. I highly recommend it.

Wonderful place. There is a lot to cover and perhaps one day is not enough. Although some employees are very friendly. There are others at the entrance who are a bit rude. The price is high. They have a cafeteria that has quality food, although it is also expensive. There are temporary exhibitions and its collection has quite valuable pieces that you cannot miss.

What a beautiful museum! Huge and rich in culture. Impressionists, Japanese arts, contemporary arts… a visit lasting several hours

A wonderful museum to get lost in!
I especially loved the Chagall and Tiffany windows, paintings in the American wing by my ancestors the Peales, and the Monets in the Impressionist wing.

Had a great time. Unbelievable world famous art. The only issue was with coat check. On the coldest day of year so far, they had only two ladies checking coats. So it took 20 minutes waiting in line to check costs in, and 30 minutes at end of visit to retrieve coats. Poor planning and ticked off visitors.

Wonderful place to spend a few hours with a wide range of art from Roman sculptures to impressionists to contemporary. Great range of artists. Personally biased towards the impressionists which there were plenty we had not seen before.

Great museum. One of America’s best. It has some amazing collections and easy to walk through. The European paintings were fantastic.

the current exhibit of Resmedios Varo's work is worth the trip if you see nothing else. I like the way this museum flows from room to room, you don't feel that you are missing anything.
there is a lot of walking and not very great directions, e.g. try to find the cafeteria when you walk in. Also the food in the cafe is nothing to write home about. I had the curried chicken sandwich on a ciabatta roll, ordered at a Kiosk and picked up at a very sterile counter, and there was very little, rather dry filling with no lettuce or accompaniment.
One work of art after another, one greater than the next. So much to enjoy!
They reciprocate with very few other art museums so don't expect your membership from home to get you in.

One of my favorite museums the city has to offer! I took advantage of the complimentary winter weekdays for Chicago residents. Over the years, I'm grateful to have seen as many artworks and corridors in the heart of the city. After each visit, I have a new artist takeaway to research further.

Coming to Chicago and not visiting this fine museum would be a bad decision for any traveler/tourist. Great exhibits. Easy to get around although it’s quite large. Friendly staff. Variety of exhibits. Easy to get to location.

I only had a few hours before my plane so I signed up for a guided tour of the Art Institute of Chicago. Lucky I did as Marlin was a knowledgeable and charming tour guide that made sure the group I was with saw the things that were of particular interest. The art collection is outstanding with a wide variety of impressionist works, including a whole gallery of Monets as well a some famous contemporary American pieces. without a guide I would not have seen half the stuff I was interested in. the next time in Chicago I will definitely be back to the Institute.

I make it a point to visit the Art Institute every time I’m in Chicago. In the past, it has been for conferences, so my museum time has been limited. This was not the case today for my wife and I. The Institute has a wide ranging collection that includes some famous works. I highly recommend this experience.

The Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) is truly world class. We took the opportunity during this visit to Chicago to see the Georgia O’Keefe exhibit of her New York City paintings.

The permanent collections of the AIC are amazing in and of themselves. We toured the Classic Statuary, the Japanese art collection, and the extensive Impressionist painters exhibit. We enjoyed them immensely, and I recommend them highly.

The Georgia O’Keefe exhibit is also truly exceptional. (Runs through September 22). I was previously unaware of this component of her body of work. The exhibit is very well curated & presented, with interesting background information. Her NYC paintings are absolutely stunning!

I definitely recommend seeing it if you’re in town during the exhibit.

You don’t want to visit Chicago without checking out this great art museum.

I gave it four stars for two reasons. The first is that signage needs to be improved. There is no reason why two adults who both have Masters Degrees are confused about where to find things.

Second, the experience when you walk in needs to be made better. Nobody told me I had to check my backpack as I went in or pour out the water bottle in it. Security needs to tell people that as they walk in. They manage it well enough at MOMA in New York.

My wife and I have only visited the Art Institute of Chicago on two previous occasions, for exhibitions by Van Gogh and Norman Rockwell. Vowing to go more often, we decided to make a trip to see the famous impressionist paintings, as Ferris Bueller did in the cult movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off in 1986. Located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, south of Millennium Park, north of Buckingham Fountain, guarded by the two bronze lion statues at the Michigan Avenue entrance, the Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1879 and is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. It is the only museum in the world to be top-ranked by TripAdvisor for four years in a row, is the No. 1 tourist attraction in Chicago and is the second largest art museum in the United States, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Open from 11 to 5 Friday through Monday and 11 to 8 on Thursday, it has a permanent collection of nearly 300,000 works of art and hosts 30 special exhibitions yearly. The collection encompasses more than 5,000 years of human expression from cultures around the world, ranging from early Japanese prints to the art of the Byzantine Empire to contemporary American art. It also houses one of the United States' finest collections of painting produced in the Western culture. There are so many galleries, more than you can see in one day, including American art such as Grant Wood's American Gothic and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Asian Art, African Art, Indian Art of the Americas, Photography, Modern and Contemporary Art, Textiles, European Painting and Sculpture, European Decorative Arts and Architecture and Design, featuring works by Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. But we came to experience what is described as the greatest impressionist collection outside the Louvre in Paris. One of the most popular exhibits is Georgia O'Keefe's My New Yorks, a street-level composition capturing the city's monumental skyscrapers from below and suspended views looking down from her 30th floor apartment in the Shelton Hotel, where she lived from the time it was built in 1924, then the tallest building in the world. Also see Paris Street: Rainy Day (1877), A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (1884-86), Winslow Homer's Herring Net (1885) and several of Claude Monet's masterpieces, including Stacks of Wheat (1890-91), Waterloo Bridge (1900), Water Lilies (1906), Arrival of the Normandy Train (1877), The Beach at Sainte Adresse (1867), Water Lily Pond (1900) and Branch of the Seine near Giverny (1885). Also see works by Degas, Renoir, Sargent, Picasso, Cezanne, Whistler and Manet. So much to see, so little time to see it all.

It is one of the three major art museums in the United States, and the collection is very large, including famous works. Even beginners to painting can enjoy it.

The admission fee is over $30, and with the weak yen, it is 5,000 yen, so I am not sure whether to go in casually.
Clark is always crowded and you have to wait.

The Art Institute offers a wide range of art, sculpture and artifacts from cultures around the world. You’ll see many iconic paintings from noted artists from historical eras and artistic periods. Wear your walking shoes, because there’s a great deal of ground to cover.

We are Thankful that you honor Veterans. It’s extremely clean and enjoyed all the exhibits.

A few things. When walking around ‘some’ of the employees was not present. They could care less we were there. Standing up sleeping. We’ve been to several museums and employees are so welcoming. We seen a few here. On the second floor.

I like museums very much. When I visited Chicago this summer, I made it a point to visit this museum. Since it is located beside the Millennium Park, underground parking is available in plenty.

My nephew has membership which allowed four visitors including him. Before we started with the regular exhibits, he took us to the hall where Swami Vivekananda addressed the world parliament of religions. There were various sections and we started with Asian sculptures. There were also paintings by famous artists including American. There was also a replica of the stock exchange floor of the time when trades were done through outcry method.

For proper appreciation of the exhibits, a day is not sufficient. So we browsed through some sections. We had lunch at the cafeteria. Choice of food and taste of items was good. There was also a members lounge where coffee was complimentary. The building is connected to the Millennium Park through a walkway. There were some interesting sections like the miniature replicas of house interiors across Europe and US across periods. There was one project of four sisters photographed over 50 years.

Photography simplified by the mobile phone helps us to browse the paintings and the miniatures leisurely at home.

Hopefully I will visit many more times.

So much to look at- we spent the whole day! Close to our hotel so we could walk there. Very clean. Would be good to go over several days

Obviously one of the premier art museums in the world. Absolutely enormous. Contain some of the most important art pieces in American history.

Only problem, somehow hundreds of protesters were able to get into the museum and take over the main floor during operating hours. Museum obviously has inadequate security procedures. Thankfully those taking over the museum were only protesting and not causing death or injury. There is no security screening at the entrance. The protesters have large banners and flags. It would have been easy to detect these supplies had they any security screening.

Phenomenal art collection , Impressionism topping the table. Also excellent photography collection and the miniature rooms very interesting
Well worth the visit, might be worth splitting in 2 visits we so much to take in , phenomenal place
Pay attention that Tuesday and Wednesday is closed , I got bought out last time

What an art museum! So much great stuff to see from ancient Greece all the way up to the modern world. Their regular collection is first-rate, particularly their impressionists, and every time I've been there the temporary shows have been excellent. I've visited three or four times, over the years, and I still haven't seen everything the place has to offer -- they should open earlier! This time my big surprise were the Miniature Rooms, exhibit after exhibit of mind-boggling 1:12 scale craftsmanship in a variety of (mostly American) period styles. It is to wow. We also treated ourselves to a really good meal in the café.

This is definitely in the top 5 things to do in Chicago. There is so much to see. You could go for just an hour and pick your favorite section, or stay for 3-5 hours to see it all. The cafe meal was just ok and a little pricey. I did not see many young children, but teenagers seemed to be enjoying themselves. I would go back if I visit again.

Exhibits exceeded my expectations. Impressionists and Chagall window were highlights for me. Kudos to staff. Every encounter was warm, friendly and helpful. A wonderful experience

A highlight of our Chicago visit. Tremendous collection, beautifully curated. Exhibit of surrealist Remedios Varo was enlightening.

This is a beautiful museum. We didn’t get a chance to see the whole museum. There is so much to see. I would recommend visiting if in Chicago!

I was appalled by the food service--somewhere between deplorable and insulting. and so expensive. $5 for iced tea in a plastic glass. No table service; no actual flatware or dishes. It was raining so we stayed in the museum for lunch--what a mistake.

Absolutely loved this museum. I had some time off during a conference and decided to check it out. They have an app that you can do many different audio tours with. I did the essentials one, and was so happy to see American Gothic, Nighthawks, and A Sunday on La Grande Jatte.

Incredible collection, I mean, all the greats. We were there for 2.5 hours and barely scratched the surface. Truly a world class art museum, one of the best I've ever been to. No complaints whatsoever.

I really liked the institute's collection. It is a highly recommended place to learn about important works.

Absolutely outstanding. The best of the (many) large art museums I've visited.

Extensive, well-curated collections across many areas and time periods.
Beautiful spaces with some quiet areas to linger. Cool exterior.

Not as crowded as other world-class art museums, even in popular exhibits, and it was designed with a good crowd flow (there's a lot of people, they're just not bunching up).

There's also effort to show art from parts of the world that get little coverage in western museums: galleries feature East Asia, pre-colonial South America, Africa from after European colonization- if you thought those weren't sources of fascinating fine art, you're in for a surprise!

Pick a section and focus to maximize your enjoyment without overload, though you can breeze through most of the museum in a day if you don't linger and don't read.
Art fans might want to budget a couple of days, and artists could spend many days here.

Highly recommended.

In this great museum you can spend whole days - because there are so many fantastic objects to see , really fantastic museum

The art institute museum is reasonably priced, well laid out, & contains a variety of art media & time periods. We spent several hours enjoying the galleries and didn’t get to see all of them. If you download the museum app you can do a self guided tour but we enjoyed the museum without it. The impressionist paintings were a favorite. Especially the large Serat. We discovered a number of new pieces that quickly became favorites as well. The Thorne gallery of miniature rooms was well worth taking the time to see. Kids would especially enjoy its dollhouse quality but as an adult I was impressed by the attention to detail. The displays of armor were amazing! I highly recommend taking the time to visit the museum whether you are solo, a couple, a family or as a field trip. It is definitely worth your time.

Art Institute of Chicago has always been one of my favorite art museums, coming in behind the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Even spending all the time in New York I have, I would probably choose this over the MET and would definitely choose it over Philly.

But let me tell you: if you purchase a membership, do it! The basic member price is 115 and includes unlimited entrance, parking discounts, and a digital magazine subscription. It also allows for member hours—meaning you can enter an hour before the museum opens. This is priceless! Regular tickets are 32 dollars and don’t include any fees to special exhibits, so if you go more than a couple times a year, or enjoy your peace, do it!

During member hours, I practically had any room I was in to myself. Even just 20 minutes after opening, some galleries were just absolutely CLOGGED with people.

The museum continues to have a large variety of art: Impressionism, early colonial, modern, Picasso, sculpture, photography, architecture.

This incredible Art Gallery/Museum met our expectations not only with the low price of the tickets but also with its global artworks and statues. Unlike many other galleries, the Art Institute is easy to get around in as the layout is logical. We came in through the front entrance and left via the side entrance without losing our way! Moreover, the staff were courteous and helpful, especially Jennifer C., stationed by the splendid statues of Huckleberry Finn and Jim. We highly recommend a visit to this gallery of many treasures.

this was an awesome place so many fun art things here and there is a little play aria for the little ones like 2-9 years old loved it

Varied art displays. Open, light, airy in the galleries. Accessible elevators. Disappointed it opens so late in the day to non-members.

I love it here! I went recently partially just to pick up something from the gift shop that looked really interesting. Spending hours seeing incredible art was incidental. The item I wanted, a Tarot Deck by Dali (!!!), was in stock but at the warehouse. Donna in the gift shop had the item sent over, and it was waiting for me when I was done at the museum. It's a beautiful deck and was exactly what I wanted. A+ service, thank you Donna!

Museum has a great curation, you can visit in about two hours or you can take your time, I know why it is so well qualified

Amazed by the institute and all of the artwork they hold. It's art, history, and culture but so much more. We took our young kids (2 under 10), I'm sure this will be an experience they remember.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a vast art museum situated in Grant Park in the Downtown / Loop area of the city.

It would be almost impossible to view everything in one visit so we concentrated on the Impressionist work and the Van Gogh exhibition.

There was a large collection of great work on show by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas and Paul Cezanne amongst others.

A showpiece painting - A Sunday on La Grande Jatte - by Georges Seurat was very prominent and I also liked Head of a Guillotined Man by Theodore Gericault.

I found the exhibition Van Gogh and the Avent Garde : the Modern Landscape less good.

It focussed on the work of Van Gogh, Seurat, Signac and Bernard in Asnieres in 1887.

Some interesting work, but probably not Van Gogh’s best, although I did like his pointillist painting.

It was also overly crowded in the exhibition.

Looking back, I was disappointed to miss American Gothic by Grant Wood and Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, although I had seen them both when they came to the Royal Academy in London in 2017.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, however the cost at $32 each plus an extra $10 for the Van Gogh exhibition was somewhat high.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

You'll need a few hours at least to see the incredible works of art on display in this stellar gallery. So many must see items!

Amazing collections, especially paintings from Europe’s 19th century. A bit disappointing re Antiquity and Asian collections. Great t’empota exhibition on Van Gogh. A fantastic place to visit for a few hours, including with kids.

Wow! What a magnificent gallery, which shows off its collection so well. So good that we went there twice! The paintings are grouped effectively and the information about each one is of interest. We particularly love Impressionism and the many rooms are filled with great works of beauty. The Gustave Caillebotte exhibition was well worth the extra $10 per person.

Ensure you set aside plenty of time for a visit. We had to visit twice - I'm not complaining - in order to fit everything in.

Just as a note, do take your headphones and down load the app before you go!

We wanted to explore more of the incredible art in this space but ran out of time. To fully enjoy it, I recommend arriving early and leisurely walking through the exhibits. We specifically visited for the Frida Kahlo exhibit, which was fantastic.

Absolutely loved the Impressionist exhibits. The entire museum is beautiful and well laid out. Nice gift options in the museum shop. Friendly and helpful staff.

Been here several times, but recently spent an afternoon wandering through the Asian and contemporary areas of the museum. The museum houses an extensive collection and the organization is outstanding. Even though it was a Sunday, the museum wasn't busy and it was easy to see the existing art and a new exhibit.

The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. The museum is based in the Art Institute of Chicago Building in Chicago's Grant Park and was built in 1893. It has a permanent collection of nearly 300,000 works of art including Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, and Grant Wood's American Gothic. More than 30 special exhibitions take place every year. Worth a visit.

We loved it. We stayed 2 days and it became insufficient.
What we liked the most was a guided boat tour and the Art Institutes.

First of this the best Art 🖼️ Museum in the Midwest. Second they had the best impression paintings 🖼️ in the Midwest. Third they also have a good 😊 Modern Art exhibit. Lastly, they have an American Art 🖼️ section.

This is a must-see place if you remotely like any art!!! And even if you don't you might learn something. This was a gorgeous gorgeous building with tons of stunning art. We spent four hours there and barely saw half of it. But what we did see inspired awe and delight. If you're an art history nerd this is basically a holy site. Our favorite eras are modern and contemporary. Recommend entering on the modern side versus on Michigan, otherwise you have to trek the entire museum to get there. But it's worth it!

I have already visited it often and every time I am enchanted. From the variety of works on display, from the clever division of sections and spaces, from the wing designed by our Renzo Piano.
For a personal passion of mine, I love immersing myself in twentieth-century American art, between Hopper, Wood and Albright, and in the splendor of European painters.
The only organizational flaw, the bar on floor -1: chaotic and not up to the magical context in which it is located.

Very crowded place. I'd recommend taking a tour because you'll learn so much from the guides. We enjoyed all the classic art work!

Navigating the museum was a breeze, and the staff members were not only knowledgeable but also approachable and willing to assist. The grandeur of the architecture itself is an artwork, and the serene gardens provide a delightful escape in the midst of the bustling city.

A visit to the Art Institute of Chicago is not just a visit to a museum, it's an exploration of human creativity, cultural heritage, and the boundless possibilities of art

This museum was the reason that I came to Chicago and it did not disappoint! We actually went back for a second day and we still did not nearly see everything. The collections are iconic and beautifully displayed. The works are well grouped and the perfect amount of information is provided if you choose to read it. We did not use an audio tour so I can't comment on that, but we did listen a bit to the docents giving tours. I was very excited over the Impressionist works, the American art, as well as the Modern art exhibits. I must mention the beautiful Chagall window work. Also the Elizabeth Catlett exhibit was simply fantastic! Most of the works were chronologically displayed, which I appreciated. Also work was grouped by artist, movement, or style. I wish I had more time in the Japanese art rooms. There was just so much to see. My husband and I enjoyed sharing the hummus plate in the cafe--it was really delicious and gave us the energy to continue exploring.

We are lucky to have the Art Institute of Chicago just a few hours' drive away! The AIC is on almost every Chicago itinerary we have, no matter that we are visiting for a day or 2 or 3 days! Sometimes we drive in to see the current special exhibition; sometimes it is to see the museum itself as their collection is extraordinary! This time the draw was the Caillebotte exhibition. And it was remarkable!! With some 40 works by Caillebotte, we learned about the painter and the man as well as how his collection of art (not just his work, but those by his Impressionist friends) formed the foundation of the Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Gustave Caillebotte: Painting His World is on through October 5, 2025. Go see it! And spend time in the museum, enjoying the American galleries, the Impressionist galleries, the Chagall windows, the Chicago Stock Exchange Room (designed by Louis Sullivan), the Little Rooms galleries. See the sculptures and the antiquities. Enjoy lots of Georgia O'Keeffe too! So much to see there, you have to return several times to see and enjoy it all!! Nice too that the AIC records some of their in-person lectures and gallery talks and makes them available on their website.

This is one of the greatest art museums in the world. Its French Impressionist collection is outstanding. It is near to Symphony Hall, so you could even connect it with an evening at the CSO, another world-class cultural institution.

It's a truly amazing museum. We expected a visit of 2 or 3 hours, but were there most of the day. So many world famous paintings. Particularly enjoyed viewing A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and so many others. It was our favourite day in Chicago.

Of 786 things to do in Chicago, TripAdvisor has rated the Art Institute of Chicago as the No. 1 attraction for the last four years in a row. Ahead of Millennium Park, Navy Pier and Wrigley Field. Located at 111 South Michigan Avenue, in Grant Park, with its two signature bronze statues of lions commanding the front entrance, the Art Institute was founded in 1879 and is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Its permanent collection includes nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries. It includes such iconic works as Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jette, Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks and Grant Wood's American Gothic. The original building, constructed in Beaux-Arts style in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition, has undergone several renovations over the years, most recently in 2009 with the Modern Wing designed by Renzo Piano, increasing the museum's footprint to nearly one million square feet, making it the second largest art museum in the United States, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Open from 11 to 5 Friday through Monday and 11 to 8 on Thursday, its collection encompasses more than 5,000 years of human expression from cultures all over the world and contains more than 300,000 works of art, ranging from early Japanese prints to the art of the Byzantine Empire to contemporary American art. The museum is famous for its collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, widely regarded as one of the finest collections outside of France. Highlights include more than 30 paintings by Claude Monet and works by Renoir, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Matisse, van Gogh, Manet, El Greco, Goya, Whistler, Degas, Homer, Gauguin, Delacroix, Pollock, Picasso, Warhol, O'Keeffe, Caillebotle and Toulouse-Lautrec. Among recent exhibits, Vincent van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape closed on September 4. But Remedias Varo's collection of more than 20 paintings created in Mexico from 1955 until her death in 1963 is on display until November 27.

Wonderful art museum with particularly great Impressionist art. There was an excellent focus on Manet. I was a bit disappointed with the photography gallery as it had a narrow range and there did not appear to be a broad collection.

We went on the free tour at 1pm on Friday August 22. Our guide was EXCELLENT. So gracious. An excellent teacher. I appreciated her love of art and desire to share it.

I was rushed away from an exhibit by a woman who rudley showed children how to push people away when you want the area to yourself. I paid addmission to see ALL the exihibits. I was only in town for 3 days. A whote wing was closed. Not very impressed with the visit. Nasty people.

It has various forms of art for everyone’s taste. Each floor caters to a different type of art flavor. There is something for everyone.

Great place to find a day to get lost. Its better than drinking at a bar. Ilve the Monet pictures. So vibrant and colorful /good for the eyes.

"The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-class museum that offers a unique and fascinating experience for art lovers and tourists alike. The museum has a diverse and expansive collection of art, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern masterpieces. It's a great place to spend an afternoon exploring, and there's always something new to discover. The museum is well-organized and easy to navigate, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Plus, the museum has a wonderful cafe with delicious food and drink options. I highly recommend a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago - it's a must-

Nice travel to chicago I had visited them and I am sher nice wonderful.................................................

First time to Chicago my first visit was to the Art Institute. i only really had time for the Impressionism exhibit, evidently the largest such collection outside of France. My favorite style of art since i was a child and first exposed to it in Paris, it was a deeply moving experience to be surrounded by so many inspiring works of art again. i have to go back next time I'm here to see more of the museum.

There are so many great art pieces to see. We enjoyed the Arts of Europe, Impressionists and Arts of Americas, particularly “Nighthawks” by Edward Hooper, “American Gothic” by Grant Wood and “Sky above Clouds IV” by Georgia O’Keefe. Our visit was nearly 4 hours long.

It has some iconic pieces, especially from European and French impressionist painters such as Renoir, Monet and post- impressionists like Van Gogh, Gaugin and Seurat. The collection is not huge and manageable. But there are a lot of gaps, particularly Middle Ages - Renaissance - ( early) Enlightenment. They have impressive, fully intact Greek vases and statues from 4BC-1BC. But after these classical pieces the collections seems to mostly skip an epoch of time, 20 centuries! There is an Asian and modern collection which was of little interest to me. There are scant, if any, religious pieces or neoclassical works from the Renaissance. I do love that period myself.

I went to the museum as a child and young adult. I always loved the Impressionists and remember the first time I saw the Chagall Windows. After traveling throughout the world and visiting many museums, I rank Chicago’s Art Institute the best. I may be biased but find the museum still enchanting.

Our tour guide Scout was really amazing and made our visit to the Art Institute of Chicago an unforgettable experience.

As an amateur painter I couldn’t believe how many impressionist paintings were hung in three or four rooms. It was mind blowing to see Manets, Monets, Van Goghs and the huge Seurat canvas. Rodin statues everywhere too. Such a treat and you could get up close too. We only had a day but I woukd love to spend more time in there.

Amazing place to visit, plan for few hours , there is a lot to see. Very affordable and very friendly staff, always willing to help.

Amazing art institute. The only downside, which isn’t a downside is that there is so much to see. You couldn’t fit it all into one visit. I plan to come back.

So much to see here, between the permanent and special exhibits. A world-class museum with one of the largest Impressionist collections in the world. Don’t miss the art of India either. Thorne Miniature Rooms are worth checking out. Good refreshments available at the Modern Wing’s cafe. The Members Only cafe is a lovely place for a light meal and/or complimentary tea and coffee. Big gift shop. Membership allows you to bring an ample number of guests for free, and gets you discounted parking at the nearby Millennium garages on Michigan Avenue.

The artwork and building are amazing. The free coat check was fantastic- you’re not even allowed to leave them a tip (I tried).

I took off one rating point because at least 50% of the observers/supervisors/security people in navy blue sport coats (I don’t know what their role is officially, so these are my guesses) had no idea about anything… For example, I would show the map of the museum and ask, “could you please help me with directions to…” and they wouldn’t know. They were all polite, but over half of the staff I talked to had ZERO clue about anything.

My teenage daughter reported that one of these workers was on her cell phone in a gallery, on speaker, and using obscenities that reverberated through the whole room…the entire time she was in there with her. My daughter attends public school, so it’s not like she hadn’t heard any of that language before, just not in a museum while looking at famous art (LOL).

Another navy blue sport coat clad gentleman reeked of marijuana; his most helpful information was along the lines of “yeah, somewhere that way, you’ll find that… cool, right?”

Since my visit, I have learned that in 2021, the Art Institute fired all of its volunteer docents in the name of equity (Google it- I’m not making this up). The docents who knew something, cost nothing, and spent 18+ months getting trained are now apparently replaced with paid observers/supervisors/security people who overwhelmingly know nothing about the Art Institute.

Classic Chicago, people! SMH.

The expansive Art Institute of Chicago features nearly 300,000 works worldwide in its permanent collection. Home to one of the country's most impressive collections of impressionist and post-impressionist art.

The diverse collection spans thousands of years and includes pieces from a variety of media including painting, prints, photography, sculpture,

You'll find here -
pieces created in the Byzantine era,
paintings completed just a few decades ago.
Jacob Lawrence's "The Wedding,"
Georgia O'Keeffe's "Sky above Clouds IV" and
Grant Wood's "American Gothic"
From European armor to the Thorne Miniature Rooms

It sits just south of Millennium Park and beside Grant Park in downtown Chicago. Driving to the Art Institute is not recommended due to the limited number of parking options within walking distance.

Amazing art in a gorgeous setting. The museum has been carefully retrofitted for mobility access without losing its historical charm, but definitely get a map as different elevators service specific parts of the building complex. The staff is friendly and well informed, so don't be afraid to ask for directions if needed.

This museum, which is located next to Millennium Park, is for me the priority to see among all the museums.
It covers all artistic periods from antiquity to modern art with works in each field in limited numbers but all exceptional.
The advantage is that unlike other gigantic museums (Louvre British Museum) you can visit the vast majority of themes in one day (2 days for me).
Don't hesitate when you get tired to take a break at the market area with its shaded tables around a pool.
Well, ordering via Mac Donalds type screens can be surprising.
Bring your visitor guide, leave your bags in the cloakroom and off you go for an exceptional moment.
Everything is to see and nicely presented but level 1 is not the most interesting for me with the exception of Chagall's windows at the back.
The antique part is not bad either but we are spoiled at home in this area.
Level 2 is for me the most beautiful of the museum, starting with the medieval part and especially the very rich impressionist part (painting from Van Gogh's room).
Further down, you have the contemporary part (Warhol, Koons...).
If you want to make a statement, don't hesitate to take a candy from the work "candies" by Felix Gonzales Torres... it's allowed!
On this level, for me the highlight of the visit is the "Arts of America" part with 2 major works, the extremely famous "American Gothic" by Grant Wood and my favorite the cult "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper.... The The rest isn't bad either but I'm running out of space!
Then, and it's not easy to find, don't miss the Thorne collection at LL level, which is made up of miniatures of the interiors of old houses with astonishing precision.
Finally, I visited (for 10 dollars) the temporary exhibition Van Gogh, Signac, certainly very cool but not a discovery for me... it's up to you.

The Art Institute of Chicago is a must-visit in the city. One of the main museums in the United States with works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Grand Wood, Georges Seurat and Pollock, the museum deserves at least a half-day visit, to be appreciated with the calm it deserves. If you watched “Curtindo a vida Adoidado”, you will recognize the works and feel like you are in the film, especially if it is a weekday, with school excursions.

The museum's vast collection, from iconic Impressionist works to modern masterpieces, offered us a journey through art history. Each gallery felt like a new adventure, sparking conversations and inspiring awe. The stunning architecture and serene courtyard added to the romance of the day.

Very rude gift shop worker. I was on my way out of the museum a few min before closing and I wanted to just pop my head into the store and browse for a min or two. There were probably 20 or 30 people already in the store and more people coming in behind me. They let everyone know that the store was closing and to come to the checkout with their items at about 2 min till closing when I was near the back of the store. I turned around and started working my way to the exit, browsing as I went since there was still 2 min left and there was a long line at the register.

Then, suddenly, this woman physically steps between me and what I was looking at and starts repeating something along the lines of "thank you good night" with this crazed stare while shooing me toward the exit with a t-shirt that she was holding like a matador cape... Mind you, its not like I am the only one left in the store at this point; there were at least 20 people still browsing on their way out like me, or lining up to check out. I was kind of caught off guard and I tried to step around her but she kept jumping in front of me and blocking me with the t-shirt like she was guarding me in basketball or something. I didn't say or do anything to her but she was acting so intense and strange that it took me as second to even realize that she even worked at the store. It initially crossed my mind that I was dealing with with a mentally ill person and I might need to get an employee or the security guard help me. When I realized that she WAS and employee and she was trying to shoo me out of the store, all that really went through my mind was that the museum really needs to vet their hires better!

It was such an odd and unsettling experience that it honestly ruined my experience with the museum which had been quite nice until then. If in the future I have the opportunity to learn this employee's name I will update this review. I imagine that others have probably experienced this very strange and unbelievably rude behavior from her. If so please like this review so the museum might take the notice and potentially improve their hiring practices or employee conduct policies. I am sure the museum would prefer to have its patrons leave with nice memories and potentially a souvenir than a strange taste in the mouth and an odd story of being harassed and herded out 2 min before closing like a farm animal.

I loved the collection at the Chicago Art Institute. I’m an avid art fan so I love visiting museums. I think this is my favorite museum in the US. The American and Impressionist collections are really exquisite. I highly recommend you visit if your in Chicago!

you name it ,they have it , from Bacon to El Greco , Picasso to Grant Wood , Van Gogh to Warhol ,O'Keeffe where do you stop ,you don't Monet ,Hopper , Dali ?? probably or maybe Landscape in Light STUNNING.

For months now I can’t forget how I spent the whole day in this museum! It was magical, amazing, wonderful! I have never seen so many paintings by great cathedral artists in one place.

I will definitely go back there again the next time I go to Chicago

Tremendous collection of works from various cultures and eras. Get tired of the impressionists like Monet? Then see the renaissance collection or the African art or the miniature rooms or ….

Only wish they tackled the questionable sourcing of works that all museums around the world are facing instead of hiding behind the most recent donors.

I’ve been to museums across the world and this is the most poorly designed museum I’ve ever been to. It is definitely not set up for those who can’t stand for long periods of time. I finally found a bench and it was located in a room with no large paintings to contemplate.

The one-star is only to alert readers that The Art Institute of Chicago is no longer member of the ROAM and the ticket costs $32.
It's a good museum with a great collection but this time I was disappointed by the selection of art on display as a few great painting I saw during previous visits aren't there. The Chagall windows are off limits too.

So much to see, so as a family we broke up into groups and then compared notes. Plan a good amount of time, you’ll be glad you did!

If you appreciate art, this museum is a "must" when visiting Chicago. So many fabulous pieces of art! We believed three hours would be adequate to complete the visit but we were there for four and a half hours!

This was a very lovely museum near the lake, my husband and I could have spent more than an afternoon exploring the expansive and diverse art collection.

This is simply one of the world's greatest art museums. In particular, do not miss the Impressionist wing, which is magnificent.

The Art Institute of Chicago is massive and filled with incredible works of art. We spent three hours exploring the museum and barely scratched the surface of their vast collection. The layout is expansive, with multiple wings dedicated to different styles and time periods, from ancient art to modern masterpieces.

The museum’s collection includes a diverse range of art from all over the world, and we were particularly impressed by the collection of Impressionist paintings, along with the modern and contemporary art sections. The staff were friendly, and we appreciated the helpful signs guiding us through different exhibits.

Overall, it was a memorable experience, but we left with the feeling that we could have spent an entire day at the museum and still not seen everything. Definitely worth a visit for anyone in Chicago with an interest in art!

I can’t think of an American Museum with as many Heavy Hitters pieces of art…Sunday Afternoon is my favorite painting in the world, and seeing it live was like a Song Of Bernadette moment (although naturally I had Sondheim cued on my earbuds).

I became a member in advance of my trip just to get early access and have Un Deminche, where Sondheim once stood, possibly singing “there she is, there she is, there she is” to himself.

Then you have a famous Edward Hopper, an American Classic, and a Renoir that is a sentimental favorite.

It’s better than the MET.

Great way to catch up on your art history. The highlights for us were the Impressions wing. I'd skip the Egyptian section if you've been to other museums and their exhibits.

Overall this is a great way to spend a few hours.

If in downtown Chicago, the art museum is not to be missed and if you're like me, give yourself plenty of time. But the reason for 4--and not 5--stars is below:

The thing that did put a damper on my experience was in their Cafe (adjacent to the Mckinlock court/fountain). You stand in line and give your order to the counter person, take a seat---either nearby or out in the patio (weather permitting), and they will bring your order to you. That's it... After eating and looking at my receipt, I see that they had added a 20%!! tip to my order! Nothing is stated up on the menu board that they will charge an additional 20% for a "tip" to your order, and if I had I not looked over my receipt before putting it away, I wouldn't have ever known a tip was added to my bill. Now, had a credit card machine asked me for that choice, then that would be mine to decide. But is the public to subsidize the employer's payroll so they can keep THEIR wages low? What happened to service above and beyond, which THEN is deserving of a 20% tip?! No one came over to check on me, nor ask if I wanted water or anything else, etc. during the time I was there. I then asked to see the manager before I left, they did come out to speak to me and I explained how I felt about this, and the lack of any service other than bringing the food to where I sat to even be worthy of a 20% tip. She then handled the matter in refunding the tip. I feel this practice should be stopped, and give the public that tipping choice.

Wonderful art gallery with a vast range of fabulous art. Loved the impressionist art and the Chagall windows. Definite top ten when I. Chicago.

A great museum. It doesn't disappoint. It is an undisputed must-see in Chicago. I recommend getting your tickets online and getting up a little early because it can be crowded. It is a spectacular museum with national and international works.

If you are in Chicago, this is a can’t miss destination for art lovers or even the casual art observer. We didn’t have much time so we started with the impressionists (top floor) and then worked our way over to the contemporary, and briefly touching upon Buddhist and Egyptian on the way out. The curator of this museum understands that quality prevails over the quantity of other massive museums. Don’t think just go.

Even Ferris would agree ;) So take a day off!

Enjoy!

Always fun to explore the wide range of art. The room of Monets is amazing as are the Calders. Can get crowded but worth it.

Chicago's top tourist attraction.
Along with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, it is one of the three largest art museums in the United States, but I felt the scale and quality of the facilities were not different.
The museum has a wide range of collections, including American paintings, European paintings centered on Impressionism and Cubism, as well as Oriental and Greek art, and it takes four to five hours to go through the entire museum.
There are also several cafes in the building, including the main dining room, so you may want to take a break.
I bought my first pass in the morning in mid-August and entered, but it was not crowded at either the ticket office or the entrance gate, so I think a normal ticket would be enough (it could be purchased at the door).

A lovely Sunday afternoon at the end of our trip. Can’t believe how many Monet, Van Gogh and Reniors there are in one place! What a collection. There really is something for everyone here - and it’s in a great part of town beside the millennium park.

So manty famous works of art in one place. Spent two hours and could have easily enjoyed another two,

So many fabulous exhibits. We couldn’t see everything in one day so we focused on the impressionists, American furnishings, the galleries are spacious, not as crowded museums on the coast.

The Georgia O'Keefe exhibit "My New Yorks" The staff was pleasant and the exhibit was in my opinion quite comprehensive.

Fantastic collection. Sub-par first impression - the girl at the front greeting visitors has a back office personality. Otherwise the 6 of us enjoyed our visit!

Priceless and beautiful works of Art! Recommend using the app to enrich the experience. Signage could be improved. Couldn’t see it all in one trip even after 4hrs. - looking forward to coming back!

I’m sure I would appreciate this museum with more familiarity. The first visit was a little jarring. We were staying in Hyde Park and took the Metra Electric up to spend the day downtown. Of course we packed snacks for a full day of sightseeing. Too bad!! They don’t allow backpacks in the museum so you have to check them in the cloakroom. And they don’t allow you to have food in your backpacks. So basically, you have to through your food away if you want to visit the museum. There are no locker options or any other alternative for you. Good luck if you have kids! The cloakroom attendant was also very rude.
The collection itself was impressive and I enjoyed the audio tour on my phone (bring your own earbuds, they DO NOT have headsets for you).

When doing research for this trip, I underestimated the size of this place!! Could have easily spend all day here. I wandered around in random directions so I am sure I missed some good pieces. Can’t wait to go back!

Plenty of works from the old and the new world. An unmissable place for all art lovers. Don't overlook the section dedicated to American art. Impressionism is just a part of the story.

I thought this was a fantastic gallery. There is an enormous collection of varying types of art. There is more than enough for everyone, and I found plenty that I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it when I had expected I had not. Stand outs were some of the miniatures in the basement, don’t miss these!

Beautiful museum. Most probably visit to see the impressive collection of prominent paintings. However, the Thorne Miniature rooms on the lowest level are very unique and not to be missed. I suggest starting here to beat the rush.

It was crowded with school groups on a Monday but not unpleasant. I saw everything that I hoped to in about 4 hours including a lunch stop — there was more to see had I wanted to stay longer.

The cafe is pricey and they add a gratuity even though you order at a counter and seat yourself. But, the food and the setting are both elevated, more so than a typical museum cafeteria.

The building layout is confusing in part because it lacks adequate signage. They could benefit from additional numbered gallery signs. I had to ask the staff for help many times, but they were exceptionally friendly and happy to point me in the right direction.

Must see! Be sure to download the free app for the audio tours. See some truly fascinating masterpieces!

Excellent museum. A full day experience if visiting the city. If you are lucky enough to live in Chicago you could go multiple times for a few hours and see something different each time. The museum is a bit challenging to negotiate and in house cafe / restaurant service was so-so and expensive. We paid more for lunch for 2 than we did for our entry tickets.

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of those places that completely pulls you in—whether it’s the iconic Impressionist collection or just getting lost in the massive galleries. Every visit feels like discovering something new.

We saw the Picasso Life Drawings, the Canova Clay Sketches and the Contemporary Japanese Women's Ceramic Sculptures all in the same afternoon...it was wonderful!

The Art Institute in the heart of Chicago is more than just art in the true sense. It houses a very colorful and impressive collection of exhibits from American history, European eras to the Middle Ages and a very nice excursion to Asian and African along with Egypt. Good 3-4 hours should be planned.

It is an excellent museum with unique paintings. It is too expensive 40 USD per person which is excessive, if you are an art lover you are forced to pay it. You should really consider the price.
Picasso's collection is incredible, van Gogh's incredible, Monet Renoir's, Mondrian Chagall's. unforgettable

A must-see in Chicago, an excellent cultural experience. Enjoy a wonderful afternoon at this museum that I hope to return to.

The Art Institute of Chicago was my dream for a very long time and, as it often happened in Chicago, my expectations were more than exceeded. My husband was taking in art much faster than me, so we decided on several meeting places in the museum and were exploring it at our own pace.

I started with contemporary artists (3rd floor). Picasso’s paintings are very well represented. I am a fan of his Blue Period, so “The Old Guitarist” was my favorite. Then I spotted one of my targeted paintings, Max Beckmann’s “Self-Portrait”. Excellent! And the highlight of the third floor was Marc Chagall’s “Birth” and “White Crucifixion”, a symbol of suffering of the Jewish people from pogroms and revolutions in Russia. His “White Crucifixion” said it all and is very pertinent in our day and age. There were more paintings I admired, but the ones I mentioned were the highlights for me.

Then I found my husband at the Modern Bar, we had two cups of coffee, and parted again because I was in real heaven and wasn’t willing to cut my visit short even for a minute: the 2nd floor, The Impressionists… do I have to say more? Honestly, I have seen so many Claude Manet’s paintings in Paris, London, NYC, Philly, Boston and other cities but to see his “Stacks of Wheat” paintings reflecting different times of the day and seasons of the year was something that will stay with me forever. And his “Waterloo Bridge”, and “The Houses of Parliament” - his views of London have always been my favorites. Seeing Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait” and his other masterpieces (loved “The Drinkers”) was another highlight; especially, because I was fortunate to visit his phenomenal museum in Amsterdam for the second time last year in August. Loved Renoir’s portraits and beautiful Edouard Manet’s “Woman with Fans”, which is on loan from the Museé d’Orsay, where I have seen it before. The best of the very best for me was magnificent collection of Toulouse-Lautrec’s paintings, “Moulin de la Galette” among them… I adore his art… for me, he is one of many symbols of Paris I cherish.

Then it was the right time for the American Wing and The European Art before and after 1600. I headed there after admiring magnificent Chagall’s American Windows. We have seen stunning Chagall’s Windows at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem last year, which are truly ones of a kind. His windows at the Art Institute of Chicago are also wonderful.

The European Art before and after 1600 is excellent; especially the Spanish collection, which includes Velasquez, Ribera, Zurbaran and another favorite of mine, El Greco (four paintings of him!). Of course, I admired Rembrandt’s “Old Man with a Gold Chain”, which was my second targeted painting. Seeing Botticelli’s “Virgin and Child with an Angel” was a nice surprise.

I must admit that I didn’t spend a lot of time at the American Wing, but beautiful portraits by Sargent, iconic Grant Wood’s “American Gothic”, and Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” were not missed.

Not to forget “The Hartwell Memorial Window”, spectacular example of Tiffany glasswork - stunning!

We didn’t starve during our five hours at the museum of course. We had a nice late lunch break at the “Café”. I had a grilled cheese and spinach sandwich with aioli and goat cheese, my husband had avocado toast topped with a mix of carrots, tomatoes, corn and goat cheese. I liked my sandwich, but my husband wasn’t too happy with his.

I think the Art Institute of Chicago is phenomenal in everything: superb lighting in the galleries, excellent air conditioning, plenty of benches to sit and relax (I must admit I didn’t have time to sit and relax though), very good and not crowded cafe, clean facilities… everything was perfect. Just couldn’t be better.

After almost five hours at the Art Institute of Chicago, we ventured outside with definite intention to return.

We went to the Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape exhibit. There was hardly any Van Goghs. Mostly his friends paintings from that time period. If you pay extra to see Van Gogh then that's what I want to see. The museum is a maze to navigate and needs better signage. The Thorne Miniature Rooms was a joke. Most of the rooms were dark. The lighting did not work. Needed cleaning. Filthy. If you want an example of how a miniature room should/could look check out Colleen Moore's Fairy Castle.

Fabulous collection in Chicago. Fun for it to be tied to an iconic movie. Great layout and more than ample space to move around. Only down side was line to claim our things from coat-check.

Beautiful place where you can enjoy art! I was lucky enough to see the Pablo Picasso exhibition!! Simply phenomenal!

My family and I enjoyed an afternoon at the Art Institute of Chicago, where we ate lunch in the courtyard at The Café (a bit pricey, but in a nice outdoor setting with excellent service), and toured the extensive Impressionism and American art collections. We also joined the 3:00 pm gallery tour, expecting to learn about some highlights of the Institute's vast collection, but instead our guide focused on only a few specific works in the Modern Wing. Although our guide was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, we, as first-time visitors, would have preferred getting an overview of the museum's collection (breadth instead of depth). Also, there was only one guide for the entire group, so it was pretty crowded (this was on a Saturday). Other museums which we have toured (e.g. The Met, MFA, Getty), provided more than one guide, so the groups were smaller. I think using the audio tour from their app would be have been better.

A great day at the Art Institute. Gustave Caillebotte: Painting His World Exhibit is outstanding. Met Darlene (empl) who was very cheerful and helpful. One negative, the self-guided audio does not link to bluetooth for hearing aids.

I've had the privilege of visiting many art museums in my life, including MOMA Queens, The Met in NYC, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, The Louvre, and Museum Ludwig in Cologne. What I really liked about The Art Institute of Chicago is that - while it's comparable in size to The Met and The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston - the museum felt much less crowded during the holidays than the aforementioned pair. The atmosphere was mostly calm. Of course, there was more of a buzz around well-known works like Hoppers' 'Nighthawks' and Seurat's 'Un dimanche après-midi à l'Île de la Grande Jatte'. However, there was a lot more to see in the four or so hours we spent walking around. The staff were very friendly, and admission was totally reasonable. As to who the museum is best for, I'd say that it's great for anyone looking to explore the arts.

The art institute is huge. Make sure you give yourself time in your itinerary to enjoy. The selection of art is superb. This was a great place for us between some heavy walking days that allowed us to relax and decompress.

Review about cafe , not the actual museum.
Ordered the roasted beet salad. Beets almost raw, a massive bowl of way too oily arugula (some of us do not like arugula and this was not mentioned on the menu). A huge ball of goat cheese that should have at least had a roll? One of the five worst salads I have ever experienced

I love this place! There's so many great works of art to see. You can easily spend 2 or 3 full days here. To see so many great masterpieces in person is breathtaking. Replicas or posters don't do them justice. If you're short on time, the museum map has a list of the must-see pieces and where they're located.

What an amazing and huge museum. We first visited the impressionist galley - mind blowing. Then the special exhibition of Freda Kahlo in Paris. To finish we saw the Gustave Caillebotte exhibition. I didn’t know the artist and what an interesting story. I didn’t know that his gift to the French nation was a cornerstone of the Musee D’Orsay

We were here for the Frida Kahlo show, which was terrific. But we then wandered around and I was blown away by the collection they have. I also really enjoyed the eclectic arrangement of art in the various rooms.

Great collection of art from all over the world. Plan on several hours to see everything. All of the favorites and more. Audiotour is a good one and provides helpful background

This is a world class museum for adults which pretty good food options too.

But want to note the kid focus. There is a center near the entrance to the modern wing across from gift shop where kids can choose art adventures, create. a book with a map and art pieces of their choice. You then go with the kids to the things they have chosen (and of course can linger here and there along the way.).

Took my 5 year old grandson and he loved choosing the fantastic creatures theme and then choosing his 5 pieces of art. He loved finding them, talking about them and then doing the activities in his book. Really engaging way to let a kid steer the experience -- and you can repeat this many times on many visits with different themes. First rate.

After our adventure which took us all over the museum we returned where he was able to choose a photo post card. We then made collages. Great staff, fun activity. Great way to develop a love of museums and art.

Huge museum collection but quite difficult to navigate the galleries and track specific pieces of art. The personnel was very polite and helpful whenever we asked for directions.

We took four hours without a break for our visit and were able to see interesting paintings and sculptures. The museum has very nice premises and the exhibits are shown very well. You can get very close to the paintings. There are no markings that prescribe a distance from the painting, so a very relaxed and accurate viewing is possible. On the website of the Kunstmuseum about 3800 exhibits are shown. Furthermore, interested parties can prepare themselves at home via the museum maps. The art museum is said to be one of the best art museums in the United States.

Opening hours:

Monday: 11am - 5pm
Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
Thursday: 11am - 8pm
Friday - Sunday: 11am - 5pm

One of my favorite art museums. I had a short time in Chicago and immediately went to the front where I was directed to their most famous paintings. They have an astounding collection of art.

Finest collection of impressionist art in the country, PLUS so many other collections I cannot name them all! And that's not counting special exhibits. So you're not overwhelmed, plan which collections you want to focus on and start there --- you'll never be able to see everything on just 1 visit! There's a wonderful restaurant on-site but since this museum is right on Michigan Avenue in the middle of the city there are literally dozens of additional choices in the nearby area. Friendly and knowledgeable staff who can't wait to answer questions and provide directions.

I didn’t expect such an amount of big names and paintings in there! It is huge and I guess someone could spent multiple days discovering all the art!

An amazing sprawling museum. You're gonna need to show up when it opens if you want to rush and see most of what it has to offer before closing.

Spent about 3 hours walking around. They have a great collection covering various time periods. I really enjoyed it. I do with there was more seating inside some of the rooms to take in the art a bit longer. It was busy for a Thursday afternoon.

The new Tiffany waterfall window is gorgeous! Watch the video on the website first, and then see it on-site. We also liked seeing Georgia O’Keefe’s painting of the Green Mts. next to Kay Walkingstick’s Silence of the Glacier. It’s in a nook, easy to miss.

The Art Institute of Chicago has an amazing collection that covers a lot of different stuff. They've got things from ancient Egypt to really modern art, so you'll find all kinds of art styles and things to like. They do a great job of picking out lots of different art, so there's something for everyone to enjoy!!

Very interesting art museum with a wide variety of exhibits. Need a full day to cover all of it, or even more.

Great place to wander and admire art from all over the world. The Freida exhibit is nice and all the way in the back. Lovely way to spend a day.

This is such a great museum. A great and varied collection, many rare and famous pieces that you would recognize. Many of the great masters... Picasso, Chagall, Lichtenstein, etc.. The museum itself is beautiful... easy to navigate, wide open spaces. Love it here.

We came to the art institute as part of the city pass, although it was already high on our radar of places to visit.
We were impressed by the quality and amount of art on display, and although we only had a few hours, we were able to see the 'greatest hits' with ease.
We would recommend allocating more than a couple of hours!

I visited on a Sunday afternoon, and the Chicago Pass allowed me to enter the museum smoothly (no need to specify a time). It was interesting to see the variations of Monet's piled-up paintings displayed side by side. The exhibition of Japanese art was planned to be expanded, and some of it was under preparation. If you go around the whole floor wide, it will take more than two hours.

Great museum with a lot of different shows. The Van Gogh exhibition was very nice and the art is well organised

This was our first Art Gallery we have been to. The setup was really incredible, with plenty of space around most installations as to not be too crowded while admiring the original works of so many brilliant artists, including Van Gogh, Monet and Georges Seurat. You could easily spend 3 hours here, especially if all the exhibits are open. This was the only place we visited in Chicago with a free coat check, and no hassle with renting a wheelchair for my pregnant wife. 4 stars only because the Photography Exhibit was closed and we were really looking forward to that.

The AIC is a national treasure. There is just so much to see there that one day alone won't be enough time to experience the entire collection, so start with some exhibits of special interest to you. The impressionist galleries are just fantastic and alone would be well worth the trip and price of admission. The arms and armor collection is also magnificent and rivals that of the Met in New York City. If you have to choose, I would prioritize a visit to the AIC over the Field Museum. AIC has a more diverse collection and more space to spread out, which made it seem less overflowing. Buying tickets online will save time, but the ticket line moved pretty fast. There is a nice cafe in the back of the new building -- a bit pricey (paid $85 for lunch for 3 including tip) but the service was fast and the food was pretty good. I hope to return - this is definitely a place to experience more than once.

This place is enormous & there is so much to see. It is really worth a visit and should be in your itinerary. I was surprised to see so many familiar works on display

My trip was simply wonderful, I was able to enjoy and get to know several places, I traveled with Trip and they gave me the best hotels and places. It was simply wonderful.

We spent hours at AIC trying to impress each other with made-up art knowledge. "Ah yes, clearly this brush stroke represents the artist's complicated relationship with cheese!" The actual collection is mind-blowing though - from Van Gogh to Monet, they've got all the heavy hitters. Pro tip: Strike a pose next to American Gothic for the perfect Instagram moment. Our favorite part? The modern wing's views of Millennium Park where we could rest our pretentious feet!

It's a good size, and although I'm an art novice, I didn't get bored even though I was there for 3 hours. You can enjoy a wide range of paintings, including impressionist and modern art. Monet, Renoir, Gauguin, Andy Warhol, etc. You can also enter the Picasso exhibition as an option, which was also very good.

Worth the ticket price. I spent hours in here walking around and looking at the art. I wasn't able to see everything because it is just so big. After several hours, I finally looked at the brochure to pick out the pieces of art I really wanted to see and made a beeline towards them. Lots of different types of art - American, European, modern, classics. It's all here.

I spent six hours in there and my smart watch said I walked 4.45 km. Which explains the sore feet

I was impressed with the variety and size of the exhibitions. Even if you only have an hour or so, you will find something you like. And probably stumble past something you did not know you liked. It was definitely like that for me. I went for the Van Gogh exhibition which showed me all the impressionists and then learnt more about American art. And still can’t believe they had glassworks on show that was done in the 16th century.

This is a must stop when here

We came here mostly to see the items that are shown in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off (husband and son love that film) and they managed to recreate some of the stills from the film ... aside from that it was a fantastic place to visit. I'm not sure you really need a headset to talk you through the collections (maybe you do), but we didn't and it meant we could go at our own pace and stop wherever took our fancy. Saw lots of specific paintings that we wanted to see and saw a few new ones too.

Only downside when we visited was we wanted to see the Chagall stained glass windows, but because the NASCAR event was on, this end of the building was being used for the drivers, so we were unable to see the windows. Now I understand why they did this, but its really a shame that they couldn't have even allowed a space to be open, so that you could actually see them in all their glory, and didn't need to peak through the screens (which was what we did, as did lots of other people). I feel this could have been handled better.

This is a world class art collection. It spans ancient civilization to current day. Very well organized. It’s also vary diverse with many mediums.

Listen to me... don't bite off more than you can chew (like I did). Devote two hours to the Impressionists. Take your time and savor the beauty. Then leave. You'll walk away with a sense of wonder and happiness.

You can see the European stuff on another visit.

Trust me on this. I got you.

What an amazing collection! Could not believe the vastness, so many Monets, Gauguins, Toulouse Lautrecs, Degas. Even a Rembrant and Van Gogh. Beautiful building too. Opening hours are very limited. That could be improved.

The best museum in Chicago unquestionably. A beautiful building with an unstoppable collection in the best neighborhood in the city. Only critique is the gift shop, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s is much better.

Love it here so much, love my city. Every time I come back home I come here, I miss it very much. Very clean and very friendly staff too. Always a pleasure .

A marvel. Possibly one of the best painting museums in the world. Great collection of impressionists but also classics.

A gem among museums in Chicago and the world. The collection has something of interest for everyone in your party and the special exhibits have yet to disappoint.

More types of art than one can appreciate in only one visit. I particularly liked the furniture room and could have spent the day there. Not sure we even saw all of the galleries on that visit, will go again next time in Chicago.

Beautiful museum with lots of contemporary American art. I am European so it was really interesting not to see, allow me the term, the usual imported art from the old continent.

I love the spaciousness of the "new" wing, with big windows, natural lighting, and plenty of room to view the art. The Georgia O'Keefe exhibition was outstanding! Well curated & very helpful staff to guide us when we needed assistance.

Part of the collection I was able to see in my visit to this institution made a strong impact in me. A lot of the well known artwork are a must see in person to experience its greatness. Such a wonderful place in Chicago.

Wish we had more time as we did not even see it all. Seeing original Monet, Van Gogh, Rodin, etc. was mind blowing. The medieval weapons and arm section was awesome.

Probably the finest Art collection I have ever visited. It was wonderful to see so many of the greats up close and personal ; the Edward Hoppers, the Georgia O Keefes and the Andy Warhols. There were superb collections of indigenous Art, Egyptian and Asian art as well as lots of Impressionists.
There was also a brilliant collection of armour.
I spent about three hours here but could easily have spent more time there.
They have a wonderful shop too where things are not outrageously priced.

A very large site covering a wide range of art types. Modern, medieval, impressionist, Roman, Asian etc. I loved the contemporary and the armour sections but there is something for everyone.