The Art Institute of Chicago
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The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, is regarded as one of the world’s oldest and largest standing art museums. Some of the most iconic works of art found here include "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" by Seurat, "The Old Guitarist" by Picasso, and "American Gothic" by Wood. The institute has undergone many renovations and expansions over time, and the opening of the Modern Wing of the institute in 2009 officially made it the second-largest art museum in the United States. Today, this museum is nearly 1 million square feet in size.
Collections that you can see in this museum include African Art, Indian Art of the Americas, American Art, Ancient and Byzantine Art, Architecture and Design, Asian Art, European Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, Photography, Prints, and Textiles. Additional temporary collections are shown seasonally.
How to Get There
Located in downtown Chicago, this art institute can be accessed by car, train, or bike. The city’s “L” train system makes frequent stops at Adams/Wabash, which is just one block west of the institute. Chicago’s bike-sharing system, Divvy, also offers multiple bike stations within walking distance of the building. Chicago Midway and O'Hare International airports are both nearby.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to The Art Institute of Chicago
Visit The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago offers a one-hour visitor’s guide for those short on time, but the full experience of the institute includes seeing four full floors of famous pieces like Richard Hunt’s "Hero Construction" sculpture by the grand staircase and Vincent van Gogh’s "The Bedroom" on the second level.
While you can visit the institute any time of year to see the permanent collections, you can also go during certain months to see the temporary exhibits too. Most of these exhibits are shown from May to September or November to March.
Ticket Information
General admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is $32 for adults and $26 for seniors over 65, students, and teens 14-17. Discounts are available for Chicago and Illinois residents, too, with prices for Chicago adults being just $20, Chicago seniors and students $14, Illinois adults $27, and Illinois seniors, students, and teens $21. Admission for Chicago teens, Illinois educators with a valid school-issued ID, and all children is always free. During certain days of the year, all Illinois residents can be admitted into the institute for free too.
Memberships are available in multiple levels for two-year admission to the institute. Additional benefits of getting a membership include member-only access to special institute programs and parking garage discounts plus admission to the institute during certain member-only hours. Most memberships and all regular admission tickets can be purchased online to save time at the entrance.
Family-Friendly Options
The Art Institute of Chicago offers digital family tour guides for mobile devices, and there are many JourneyMaker interactive stations throughout the building for all ages to use. With these stations, guests can choose from eight different art-themed stories and learn about pieces of art with an interactive touch-screen desk.
The institute also opens Ryan’s Learning Center every Thursday through to Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for families to enjoy. This area is also open to the public with or without a general admission ticket, and it features The Art Exchange, The Trott Family Gallery, and The Multisensory Gallery. In The Art Exchange, guests can complete art projects designed by museum artists and educators while, in the galleries, guests can explore temporary and permanent exhibits that feature hands-on experiences.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
To experience the best of the Art Institute of Chicago, start on the first level to see the Arts of Asia, and then head up to the second level to see contemporary, medieval, and Renaissance works. Next, on the third floor, take time to visit the Member Bar, and then head to the lower level last to see the Arts of Ancient Egypt. You can also eat at The Market there before seeing the Architecture and Design and Photography and Media sections before leaving.
The Art Institute of Chicago Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
If you are looking for a campground near Aurora, Illinois, that offers year-round camping, this is the perfect option. Camp Bullfrog Lake is especially great if you enjoy water-based activities. In addition, there are daily activities that are run by the staff for campers to enjoy.
MWR Navy Gateways RV Campground borders Lake Michigan. This facility is available year-round, and you have access to the beach and fishing piers as well as a playground area for children. If you’re looking at RV parks near Chicago and you have a military affiliation, be sure to consider this one.
Blackwell Family Campground is one of the Joliet campgrounds that are operated by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. This large preserve comprises 1,366 acres, and the terrain includes grasslands, wetlands, prairies, and hickory and oak forests. You can hike, jog, bike, cross-country ski, or even ride a horse on most of the trails.
Activities Near The Art Institute of Chicago
Things to Do
Parks
There are plenty of city parks found just around the block of the Art Institute of Chicago, including Grant Park, Lakeside Park, Maggie Daley Park, and Millennium Park. Also on the nearby lakefront is the Queen’s Landing, a historic landmark marking the pier where Queen Elizabeth II stepped onto land from her ship in 1959. Located within Grant Park, too, is the Lakefront Trail, an 18-mile scenic walking and biking trail near downtown Chicago.
Museums
Additional museums you may enjoy checking out near the Art Institute include the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Field Museum, and the Museum of Illusions Chicago. If you’d like to check out outdoor spaces, be sure to stop by Millennium Park, where you can take a photo beside Chicago’s iconic Bean sculpture, or Navy Pier, where you can take a ride on a classic Ferris wheel.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
You can expect the Art Institute of Chicago to be open year-round regardless of weather conditions unless otherwise noted by the institute. Weather should also not affect your visit since all exhibits are located indoors, too, and you can check in coats and bags at the institute's entrance upon arrival. Food and drink, aside from water bottles, are not permitted inside the gallery spaces, so be sure to leave those items behind before you make your visit.
Safety & Accessibility
Visitors to the Art Institute who have mobility disabilities can use the ramps provided at the Michigan Avenue and Modern Wing entrances, and wheelchair-accessible parking is available at the Millennium Park, East Monroe Street, and Grant Park North garages near the institute. Elevators are found in the institute for additional accessibility, and manually operated wheelchairs are available at the admission counters as needed.
Guests who have hearing or sight disabilities can call the institute ahead of their visits to request guided tours with assistance. Monthly guided tours in American Sign Language are also offered, and the free Art Institute of Chicago Official Mobile App has support for VoiceOver and TalkBack in the galleries.
Conclusion
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the United States' finest art museums. Take time to stop and enjoy this attraction when you want to learn about national and international arts and culture.
FAQ
While there are not many camping options within Chicago, there are some nearby campgrounds in northwest Indiana. One such campground is the Lakeshore Camp Resort, which has 115 full hookup campsites.
Oversized vans and RVs are not accepted in many of the parking garages near the institute. If you would like to access the institute with your RV, consider parking at one of the many train stations and taking the "L" railway right to the area of the institute.
First-time visitors to the Art Institute of Chicago are encouraged to purchase tickets online before they visit to save time at the admissions desk and download a digital Visitor Guide from the institute's website. With the guide, you can plan your visit in advance by seeing the building map ahead of time.
The Art Institute of Chicago is a family-friendly attraction with an all-ages learning center and multiple interactive stations placed throughout the gallery areas. As an art museum, the institute only asks that children and all other visitors not touch any artwork in the building.
Pets are not allowed into the art institute's building. However, service animals are always welcome with proper ID.