The Art Institute of Chicago: Tickets and Info

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Approx 3-4h

The Art Institute of Chicago: Fast Pass

Highlights

Skip the standard ticket lines upon arrival.

View masterpieces by artists like Picasso, Monet, and Warhol.

Explore all museum galleries and non-ticketed exhibits.

Attend complimentary daily tours offered in English and Spanish.

Use a free audio guide app available in multiple languages for enhanced engagement.

Free Cancellation

Approx 3-4h

The Art Institute of Chicago: Skip-The-Line & Semi-Private Tour

Highlights

Avoid waiting in long lines with skip-the-line access.

Experience an intimate semi-private tour lasting approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

Receive expert insights from a licensed guide knowledgeable about the museum’s collections.

Discover masterpieces from renowned artists like Monet, Dalí, Warhol, and Van Gogh.

Explore both well-known artworks and hidden treasures in this world-class museum.

About The Art Institute of Chicago

Founded in 1879, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest and most historic art museums in the United States. Located in Chicago’s Grant Park, the museum holds a collection of more than 300,000 artworks spanning over 5,000 years of human history. Its original building was constructed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and the Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, was added in 2009.

The collection includes major works by artists such as Georges Seurat and Pablo Picasso. The Art Institute is also a research institution, with its own conservation laboratories, and is affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the country’s leading schools for art and design.

Address: 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Number of Annual Visitors: Approx. 1.5 million
Founded: 1879

Why Visit The Art Institute of Chicago?

Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces: The museum's Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection includes major works such as Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Pablo Picasso’s The Old Guitarist. These paintings mark key moments in art history and give visitors a chance to see the works that helped shape modern art.

Ancient and Byzantine Art Collections: The museum’s Ancient and Byzantine collection spans nearly 5,000 years of human history, including Greek, Roman, and Egyptian sculptures and mosaics. It offers a close look at early civilizations and their artistic traditions.

Modern Wing and Contemporary Art: The Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, houses early 20th-century European art along with contemporary works, photography, and design. Opened in 2009, the building is worth seeing for its architecture as much as for what's inside it.

African and Indian Art of the Americas Galleries: The African and Indian Art of the Americas galleries hold ceramics, textiles, masks, and jewelry that reflect the artistic traditions of Indigenous and African communities, adding to the museum's global collection.

Architecture and Design Collection: The museum's architecture and design collection is one of the largest in the country, with more than 140,000 works, including pieces by Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Le Corbusier.

Timings

Here are the standard public hours for the Art Institute of Chicago:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 11 AM - 8 PM
Tuesday: Closed

Members: Art Institute members get exclusive access for the first hour of every day, from 10 AM to 11 AM, except on Tuesdays.

How To Get There?

Address
By Public Transportation
By Car

The museum has two primary entrances.

Michigan Avenue Entrance: 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603

Modern Wing Entrance: 159 East Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60603

Things to Know Before Visiting The Art Institute of Chicago

The museum is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Thursdays, the museum has extended hours and remains open until 8:00 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays.

Members of the Art Institute have the exclusive benefit of early entry, with access to the museum from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. daily before general admission begins.

The museum can get very busy, especially on weekends and Thursday evenings. For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting on a weekday morning.

The museum is fully accessible to visitors with disabilities. Ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms are located throughout the building, and complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Children are welcome at the museum, and the Art Institute's Ryan Learning Center offers family-friendly spaces and drop-in art-making activities. However, some special exhibitions may have content or age recommendations.

The museum is extensive, so it's a good idea to plan your route in advance. You can use the museum's free mobile app or a physical map to help you navigate and prioritize the collections you want to see.

Non-flash photography is generally permitted for personal, non-commercial use in the galleries. However, photography and video recording are strictly prohibited in some special exhibitions, and you should always look for signage indicating any restrictions.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, the museum is easily reachable via multiple public transportation options, including CTA "L" trains and buses, as well as Metra commuter trains.

The Art Institute has on-site cafés and restaurants for dining. Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the galleries, but you can bring your own food to enjoy in designated outdoor public spaces like Millennium Park.

Additional Information

The Art Institute is the second-largest art museum in the United States, so a visit can easily take several hours to a full day to explore.

The museum's collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art is considered to be one of the finest outside of Paris.

The two bronze lions at the Michigan Avenue entrance were sculpted by Edward Kemeys and have stood there since 1894.

The museum offers free guided tours daily, a good way to get an overview of the collection.

The free Art Institute of Chicago mobile app can be a valuable tool for navigating the museum and accessing audio tours of key artworks.

Museum Shops

The Art Institute has two distinct museum shops for visitors to browse.

The main Museum Shop, located in the Michigan Avenue lobby, features a wide array of art books, exhibition catalogs, and unique reproductions of classic artworks. You can also find art-inspired jewelry, apparel, and gifts here.

The second shop, situated in the Modern Wing, specializes in contemporary art and design-related merchandise. Both shops offer a way for visitors to take a piece of their experience home and support the museum's collections and programs.

Accessibility Facilities at The Art Institute of Chicago

Entrances and Ramps: Both the Michigan Avenue and Modern Wing entrances are wheelchair accessible. The Modern Wing entrance on East Monroe Street has a dedicated drop-off lane.

Wheelchairs and Mobility Devices: The museum is fully accessible, with elevators and ramps throughout the building. Manually operated wheelchairs are available for free at both coat checks on a first-come, first-served basis. Personal manual and electric wheelchairs, single-seat scooters, and walkers are also permitted in all areas of the museum.

Elevators and Seating: Elevators provide access to all public levels of the museum. Designated wheelchair seating areas are available in all auditoriums.

Tactile Experiences: The museum offers a Multisensory Gallery where visitors can explore objects through touch, sound, and other senses. "TacTiles" kits, which are tactile reproductions of select artworks, are available for loan.

Audio Resources: The official Art Institute of Chicago mobile app offers verbal description tours for visitors with low vision or blindness. Braille is also available on some artwork labels.

Assistive Listening Devices: All auditoriums are equipped with an assistive listening system with t-coil compatibility. Devices are available free of charge.

Captioning and ASL: Most public lectures and films have open or closed captioning. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for public programs can be requested with at least two weeks' notice. The museum also offers interactive ASL tours of the collection.

Service Animals: Service animals are welcome in all public areas of the museum.

Interesting Facts about The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute was founded in 1879 and first opened in its current location in 1893 for the World's Columbian Exposition.

The museum's building was designed by the architectural firm of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

The collection of works by Claude Monet is one of the largest in the world outside of Paris.

The museum holds one of the most famous American paintings, Grant Wood's American Gothic.

It houses the largest collection of miniature rooms in the world, known as the Thorne Miniature Rooms.

The museum’s Modern Wing, designed by Renzo Piano, opened in 2009.

The Art Institute is also a school, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the leading art and design schools in the country.

One of the most popular paintings is Georges Seurat's pointillist masterpiece, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte - 1884.

The museum acquired Edward Hopper's Nighthawks just months after it was painted in 1942.

The Art Institute's collection includes over 300,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years of human history.

There is a Self-Portrait by Vincent van Gogh, a painting of his bedroom in Arles, and a section of his famous Starry Night on display.

The museum has an extensive collection of arms and armor, including full suits of armor from the 16th century.

FAQs about The Art Institute of Chicago

What is the Art Institute of Chicago?

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, renowned for its extensive collection spanning thousands of years.

When was the Art Institute of Chicago founded?

The museum was founded in 1879 and opened in its current building, originally built for the World's Columbian Exposition, in 1893.

What is the size of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection?

The Art Institute of Chicago's permanent collection contains more than 300,000 works of art.

What are some of the most famous works at the museum?

The collection includes iconic paintings such as Grant Wood's American Gothic, Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884, and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks.

What is the Modern Wing?

The Modern Wing is a major addition to the museum designed by architect Renzo Piano, housing collections of modern and contemporary art, photography, and design.

Is the Art Institute of Chicago a school?

Yes, the museum is affiliated with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a leading institution for art and design education.

What is the Thorne Miniature Rooms collection?

The Thorne Miniature Rooms are a famous collection of highly detailed miniature-scale rooms depicting European and American interiors from the 13th to the 1930s.

Are tickets required to enter the museum?

Yes, a ticket is required for general admission, which provides access to the permanent collection and most non-ticketed special exhibitions.

Can I purchase tickets at the door?

Yes, tickets can be purchased upon arrival at either of the museum's entrances, but buying them online in advance is recommended to save time.

Is same-day re-entry allowed?

Yes, your ticket is valid for same-day re-entry, allowing you to leave and return to the museum on the same day.

Is photography allowed inside the museum?

Non-flash photography is generally permitted for personal use, though some special exhibitions may have specific restrictions.

Is the museum accessible for visitors with disabilities?

Yes, the museum is fully accessible, with ramps, elevators, and complimentary wheelchairs available for use.

Are outside food and drinks allowed?

Outside food and beverages are not allowed inside the galleries, but there are on-site dining options available.

Does the museum have a store?

Yes, the Art Institute has two museum shops that offer a wide range of art books, reproductions, and unique gifts.

Where are the museum entrances located?

The museum has two entrances: the historic Michigan Avenue Entrance and the Modern Wing Entrance on East Monroe Street.

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