
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago (must see)
Climb the grand staircase, stride past the stone-faced lions who’ve seen it all, and step into the Midwest’s reigning heavyweight of art—The Art Institute of Chicago! Housed in a sprawling Beaux-Arts palace, this museum is practically an all-you-can-absorb buffet of global creativity. And just when you think you’ve got your bearings, bam—there’s the Modern Wing, sleek and gleaming like a spaceship, courtesy of the very same Renzo Piano.
Inside, the European Collection marches through history like a very well-dressed parade—from medieval saints to moody 1950s portraits, with Renaissance drama and Baroque flair in between. But the real crowd magnet is nearly 400 Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne—they’re all here, casually hanging out like it’s no big deal. Over in the American wing, about 5,500 works stretch across centuries, from colonial portraits to early 20th-century boldness. And if you’re into decor with a past, the Terra Foundation’s loans serve up silver, ceramics, and furniture that could easily outclass anybody's grandma’s best set.
Also, don’t skip the local favorites: the pint-sized perfection of the Thorne Miniature Rooms (imagine dollhouses with Ivy League degrees), or Chagall’s “American Windows,” where stained glass sings in color.
Coming here, you're in for more than just a gallery stroll but a full-on, globe-spanning, time-traveling art adventure. From Greek gods to Japanese screens, African masks to Warhol prints, there’s something for every curious eye. And yes, the photography collection alone could fill a day. So, do come in, wander wide, and let the lions keep watch while you get your culture fix.
Inside, the European Collection marches through history like a very well-dressed parade—from medieval saints to moody 1950s portraits, with Renaissance drama and Baroque flair in between. But the real crowd magnet is nearly 400 Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Monet, Van Gogh, Cézanne—they’re all here, casually hanging out like it’s no big deal. Over in the American wing, about 5,500 works stretch across centuries, from colonial portraits to early 20th-century boldness. And if you’re into decor with a past, the Terra Foundation’s loans serve up silver, ceramics, and furniture that could easily outclass anybody's grandma’s best set.
Also, don’t skip the local favorites: the pint-sized perfection of the Thorne Miniature Rooms (imagine dollhouses with Ivy League degrees), or Chagall’s “American Windows,” where stained glass sings in color.
Coming here, you're in for more than just a gallery stroll but a full-on, globe-spanning, time-traveling art adventure. From Greek gods to Japanese screens, African masks to Warhol prints, there’s something for every curious eye. And yes, the photography collection alone could fill a day. So, do come in, wander wide, and let the lions keep watch while you get your culture fix.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Art Institute of Chicago on Map
Sight Name: Art Institute of Chicago
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Chinatown Walking Tour
Tucked away just south of the Loop, the Chinatown of Chicago was established in 1912 and is considered one of the best examples of American Chinatown. While it may be one of Chicago’s smallest neighborhoods geographically, it is big on character, colors, sights, sounds, and flavors. Here, you’ll find a wide range of unique boutiques, specialty shops, religious sights, authentic Chinese... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour
Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques – all of which have turned an area once referred to as the “Cabbage Patch” into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Loop District Architecture Walking Tour
The Chicago Loop District—essentially the city’s historic downtown—has long been a stage for architectural innovation and an open-air museum of American architecture.
The construction boom started after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the central business district, gave architects a blank canvas to rebuild the city from the ground up. What followed was a surge of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
The construction boom started after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which destroyed much of the central business district, gave architects a blank canvas to rebuild the city from the ground up. What followed was a surge of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
University of Chicago Walking Tour
Founded in 1890, the University of Chicago is among the world’s most prestigious educational institutions. As of 2020, the University’s students, faculty and staff have included 100 Nobel laureates, giving it the fourth-most affiliated Nobel laureates of any university.
Set in the heart of Chicago’s famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Set in the heart of Chicago’s famous eclectic neighborhood, Hyde Park, the campus is worth a visit as it offers a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
Additional to scenic views of the lake, the boats, and the city skyline, the Navy Pier offers a variety of attractions on the waterfront – for kids as well as adults – that draw nearly ten million people annually, making this Chicago's most visited spot. Yes, some may see it as a “tourist trap”, but it is worth the time and money to spend some time here, so take this self-guided walk... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such “forever free and open” space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Chicago Souvenirs: 15 Distinct Local Products to Bring Home
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