Art Institute of Chicago

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The statue of a lion at the entrance to Art Institute of Chicago, USA

The statue of a lion at the entrance to Art Institute of Chicago, USA

Art Institute of Chicago Tours and Tickets

3,615 reviews

Located in Chicago’s Grant Park, the Art Institute showcases 300,000 works of art ranging from ancient works to pieces created by today’s foremost artists. More than 1.5 million visitors from across the globe flock to the museum annually, making it one of Chicago’s most-visited destinations.

111 S Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60603

Tours & Tickets

Tours and Tickets to Experience Art Institute of Chicago

Sightseeing Tours

What are people saying about Art Institute of Chicago

Art Institute of Chicago Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour

Michael_K, Nov 2023

Great gift

I bought this as a gift for my mom, and she thoroughly enjoyed herself. Her group was let it earlier than the museum normally opens and the guide didn't have to shout since it was a smaller group.

Art Institute of Chicago Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour

Christopher_A, Nov 2023

Great Art Institute Tour with Bernie

Bernie was a terrific, very knowledgeable tour guide! He gave interesting details and background on everything we visited. He also listened to us so he was able to highlight pieces and areas that we wanted to see. We actually went over our time and he still had the same energy and enthusiasm at the end as he did when we started. We highly recommend Bernie and this tour!

Skip-the-Line Art Institute of Chicago Semi-Private Tour 8ppl Max

Allison_T, Sep 2023

Loved the Impressionists...

Loved the Impressionists and the Miniature Rooms collections. Also enjoyed the Andy Warhol gallery and seeing Jackson Pollack’s work.

Skip-the-Line Art Institute of Chicago Semi-Private Tour 8ppl Max

Richard_H, Sep 2023

Outstanding museum tour

Excellent overview of Museum highlights. Guide took us to the impressionists and the iconic paintings in the museum. He gave us a lot of background and history which was very interesting.

Art Institute of Chicago Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour

Scott_S, Oct 2023

Joe from Babylon tours is the best

Joe with Babylon tours was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and had the best information on the art and amazing stories about the artists. Being a teacher of art history his depth of knowledge was Second to none. He was a pleasure to spend time with. I would highly recommend him.

Instagram Photo Tour and Art Walk at The Art Institute in Chicago

Holly_W, Nov 2023

Don’t miss this experience!!!

If you’re thinking about this tour, BOOK IT NOW! Ronaldo is an amazing guide and person in general & his photographs are beyond incredible! We got into the museum before it was open to the public and hit all the highlights while learning interesting facts about the artwork and artists. I went with my 18 & 10 year old sons and it was the highlight of our trip for ALL of us (which is no easy feat!). I will definitely book him again when we are back in Chicago. Deserves 10 stars! Thank you Ronaldo!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What's the best way to experience Art Institute of Chicago?

A:

The best ways to experience Art Institute of Chicago are:

People Also Ask

Q:Is it free to go to the Art Institute of Chicago?

A:No. Most adults have to pay to visit the Art Institute of Chicago, although kids under 14 and Chicagoans under 18 go free all year. Certain days are free for Illinois residents during winter, while active-duty military, Illinois educators, and students at some partner institutions enjoy free entry year-round.

Q:Is the Art Institute of Chicago worth visiting?

A:Yes, the Art Institute of Chicago is most definitely worth visiting. The second largest art museum in the US, it hosts works by Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock, and many other boldface names.

Q:How long does it take to go through the Art Institute of Chicago?

A:Most adults will want to spend at least 2–3 hours, but an hour is generally enough time for kids. The Art Institute of Chicago displays thousands of works from its collection of almost 300,000 pieces alongside multiple special exhibitions, so you could spend days here and still not see it all.

Q:Does a general admission ticket to the Art Institute of Chicago include access to special exhibitions?

A:Not always. A general admission ticket to the Art Institute of Chicago includes access to non-ticketed special exhibitions, but you need to buy an additional ticket for some special exhibitions. Members of the Art Institute of Chicago enjoy free admission to both the museum and ticketed special exhibitions.

Q:Does a general admission ticket to the Art Institute of Chicago allow re-entry?

A:Yes. A general admission ticket to the Art Institute of Chicago is valid for the full day that it’s issued, meaning you can go out for lunch, fresh air, or a stroll in Millennium Park, then come back and see more art. Just be sure to keep hold of your ticket.

Q:What items are not allowed in the Art Institute of Chicago?

A:Flowers, balloons, and food and drinks other than water bottles are not allowed anywhere in the museum. Weapons, toys, tripods, video cameras, selfie sticks, wrapped gifts, pens, art materials, shopping bags, large bags, backpacks, and tall umbrellas are not allowed in the galleries, while water bottles must always be carried in bags.

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