Specialty: Art Museum
Neighborhood: Downtown Chicago
Features: Educational site housing an encyclopedic collection of more than 260,000 art works and artifacts
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 10:30 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday, 10:30 am to 8:00 pm
Friday, Saturday,& Sunday, 10:30 am to 5:00 pm
Prices:
Adults -     $18.00
Seniors -  $12.00
Children - $12.00  Under 14 are Free 
Parking: garages are underground below the parks and are the most affordable parking in the area - call 312. 616.0600 for lot and rate information
ADA: Wheelchair accessible

* Did you know that the Art Institute of Chicago was built on rubble from the Great Chicago Fire?

In 1893, the Art Institute of Chicago moved from State Street to its present location. Even back then it was both a museum and a school with a simple goal: to acquire and exhibit art and to educate. Today the Institute's permanent collection houses work from the last 5,000 years and from all over the world. There's also a non-stop list of exciting exhibitions. There's even a Touch Gallery where you can actually feel as well as view a variety of statues. Under one roof you can go from ancient Chinese artifacts to classical masters and abstract expressionists. Ttake some time here to discover your favorite works and appreciate the craftsmanship and vision that makes the museum's collection among the finest in the world.

Best Bet:
There is no admission charge on Thursday evenings (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)