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Mounted knight armor display at The Art Institute of Chicago's arms and weaponry gallery.
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Why visit the Art Institute of Chicago

Grand staircase and sculptures at The Art Institute of Chicago hallway.
People viewing Georges Seurat's painting at The Art Institute of Chicago.
Modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago with garden in foreground.
Cloud Gate sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago, with city skyline in the background.
Visitors walking through the modern gallery at The Art Institute of Chicago.
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Over 300,000 works on display

Explore an encyclopedic collection spanning 5,000 years, from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces. Every gallery offers a glimpse into different eras and cultures.

Iconic masterpieces up close

See world-renowned artworks like Van Gogh’s Self Portrait, Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, and Hopper’s Nighthawks. These celebrated pieces have defined art history and continue to captivate visitors.

Modern Wing with natural light

Step into Renzo Piano’s Modern Wing, where expansive, naturally lit galleries showcase contemporary art alongside timeless classics. Enjoy airy spaces and skyline views as you wander through this innovative environment.

Convenient downtown location

Set in Chicago’s Loop, the museum is just steps away from Millennium Park and the iconic “The Bean”. Combine your visit with other top attractions to make the most of your day in the city.

View sculptures, textiles, armor, and more, with audio guides or a free tour

The collection includes multiple artifacts and artworks created using different media that you can explore: either on your own with an audio guide taking you around the AIC, or by joining a complimentary daily tour.

Departments and sections of the Art Institute of Chicago

Region

  • Applied Arts of Europe: A collection of 9,000 European decorative art objects, from furniture to ceramics, spanning eight centuries of craftsmanship (1100-1945).
  • Arts of Africa: Showcasing over 5,000 years of artistic diversity through masks, jewelry, textiles, and sculpture from across the African continent.
  • Arts of Asia: Encompassing nearly 5,000 years of creativity, this renowned collection highlights masterpieces of Hindu, Buddhist, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Persian art.
  • Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium: Home to 2,300 ancient Mediterranean works, featuring sculpture, jewelry, and mosaics across multiple civilizations.
  • Arts of the Americas: A collection of 4,600 works tracing the artistic traditions of North, Central, and South America from 5000 BCE to today.

Art styles and media

  • Architecture and Design: More than 250,000 objects document design innovation from the 1870s to the present, spanning architecture, furniture, and industrial design.
  • Painting and Sculpture of Europe: Over 4,000 works represent Europe’s finest artistic feats from the 12th to the 19th century.
  • Prints and Drawings: A vast collection of 11,500 drawings and 60,000 prints charts the evolution of works on paper from the 15th century.
  • Textiles: Featuring over 13,500 pieces, this collection traces the global textile artistry from 300 BC to the modern era.

Modern art

  • Contemporary Art: Highlights major post-1945 movements: Pop, Conceptual, Minimalist, and beyond, through pioneering global works.
  • Modern Art: Nearly 700 pieces capture the revolutionary European art movements of 1900–1950, from Cubism to Surrealism.
  • Photography and Media: A groundbreaking department chronicling the evolution of photography and new media from the 19th century to today.

Masterpieces you can find at the AIC

American Gothic painting by Grant Wood at The Art Institute of Chicago.
Visitors viewing paintings at The Art Institute of Chicago gallery.
Sculpture of a standing figure holding a staff at The Art Institute of Chicago.
Visitors viewing a painting at The Art Institute of Chicago exhibit.
Visitors ascending stairs at The Art Institute of Chicago under a large abstract painting.

Exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago

Ongoing exhibitions

  • Elizabeth Catlett: “A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies” (Aug 30, 2025–Jan 4, 2026) 
  • Strange Realities: The Symbolist Imagination (Oct 4, 2025–Jan 5, 2026)
  • One Hundred Famous Views of Edo *(Oct 15, 2025–Jan 5, 2026)* 
  • On Loss and Absence: Textiles of Mourning and Survival (Sep 6, 2025–Mar 15, 2026)
  • Diane Simpson: “Good for Future” (Oct 4, 2025–Apr 19, 2026) 
  • Raqib Shaw: Paradise Lost (Jun 7, 2025–Jan 19, 2026) 
  • Tuan Andrew Nguyen: We Were Lost in Our Country (Sep 5, 2025–Mar 9, 2026) 
  • Charles Gaines: Night/Crimes (Aug 16, 2025–Feb 1, 2026) 
  • H. C. Westermann: Anchor Clanker (May 17, 2025–May 17, 2026) 
  • Jitish Kallat: Public Notice 3 (Sep 9, 2024–May 17, 2026) 
  • Leslie Thornton: Jennifer, Where Are You? (Aug 23, 2025–Jan 11, 2026) 

Upcoming exhibitions

  • Jane Alexander: Infantry with beast (Nov 15, 2025–Jan 12, 2026) 
  • Bruce Goff: Material Worlds (Dec 20, 2025–Mar 29, 2026) 
  • Carroll Dunham: Drawings, 1974–2024 (Jan 31–Jun 1, 2026) 
  • Matisse’s Jazz: Rhythms in Color (Mar 7–Jun 1, 2026) 
  • Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art (Mar 7–Jul 5, 2026)

Plan your visit

Visitors viewing modern art at The Art Institute of Chicago.
  • Gates open: 11am
  • Closing time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: 5pmThursday: 11am to 8pm
  • Closed on: Tuesdays, along with major holidays such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
  • Final admission: 1 hour before closing time

Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, United States | Find on Maps
Nearby landmark: Millennium Park (1-min walk)

  • Closest bus stop: Michigan & Monroe (1-min walk)
  • Closest train station: Millennium Station (8-min walk)
  • Closest subway station: Adams/Wabash (2-min walk)
  • Distance from Chicago O'Hare International Airport: 18.5 miles (50-min drive)

Parking: Discounted parking is available at Millennium Garages, and you can pre-book your parking spot using SpotHero.

Art Institute of Chicago exterior with visitors and street view.

There are two entrances to the Art Institute of Chicago: The main, Michigan Avenue entrance and the Modern Wing entrance. Both are accessible, but the Modern Wing entrance is typically quieter and ideal for those with mobility issues and families with young children.

  • Main entrance: The Art Institute of Chicago | Find on Maps
  • Modern Wing entrance: Art Institute of Chicago (Modern Wing) | Find on Maps
Wheelchair access sign indicating barrier-free entry.
  • Wheelchairs: The museum is wheelchair accessible, with complimentary wheelchairs available at the entrances, as well as elevators on all floors.
  • Service animals: Service animals are permitted within the museum.
  • For people with hearing impairments: All auditoriums have an assistive listening system, with complimentary devices guests can use. You can also ask for an ASL Interpreter, with an advance request placed 2 weeks before your visit to museum_interpretation@artic.edu.
  • For people with visual impairments: The Multisensory Gallery offers an interactive experience for visitors with visual impairments. The artwork labels have key information in Braille.
  • Multisensory Tour: Download the AIC App (iOS & Android) to hear audio descriptions of select works.
  • Tactile kits: Complimentary tactile kits offer recreations of select artworks through texture-based compositions, available Thursday-Monday, from 11am to 3pm.
  • For people with sensory difficulties: The Sensory Map highlights various sections of the museum that are quieter and have dim lighting.
Restroom sign with symbols for men, women, and wheelchair accessibility.
  • AIC App: The official Art Institute of Chicago app (iOS & Android) comes with audio guides, floor maps, multiple accessible tour options, and more. Use this app to navigate around the museum.
  • Guided tours: Free guided tours are available daily (45 minutes) at 1 pm and 3 pm in English. Spanish tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays at 2pm.
  • Wheelchairs: Complimentary wheelchairs are available for all guests at the museum’s entrances.
  • Restrooms: Restrooms, along with accessible options, are available on all floors of the museum.
  • Checkrooms: You can check in your large bags at the checkrooms, available free of cost for all visitors.
  • Free admission: Entry for children under 14 and Chicago residents under 18 is free.
No firearms allowed sign on a store window.
  • Weapons of any kind are not allowed in the museum.
  • Outside food and drinks, except for reusable water bottles with a lid, are not permitted in the venue. 
  • You are not allowed to bring any other art materials, except pencils and sketchbooks, to the museum.
  • Tripods, flash attachments, selfie sticks, or any professional recording equipment are not allowed inside the venue.
  • Disruptive behavior or loud music/performances are strictly prohibited.
  • Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult to visit the museum.
Baguette sandwich with ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato on a wooden table in Barcelona.
  • Terzo Piano, Modern Wing: Dishes featuring seasonal ingredients, with views of Millennium Park and the Chicago skyline.
  • The Café: Casual dining with sandwiches, baked goods, salads, and seasonal dishes.
Woman browsing items in a gift shop with colorful shelves in the background.
  • Museum Shop: Located right inside the Michigan Avenue entrance. Find gifts, souvenirs, and memorabilia.
  • Modern Shop: Located right inside the Modern Wing entrance. The gift and souvenir shop has featured items from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Tribune Tower and Chicago River with skyscrapers in downtown Chicago.
  • Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (also known as the Bean): Millennium Park is Chicago’s central gathering space, known for public art, events, and modern design. Its main attraction, Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), offers a mirror-like skyline reflection that’s become the city’s most photographed landmark (0.2 miles).
  • Chicago River Architecture Cruises: The guided boat tours provide the best views of Chicago’s skyline while explaining the history and design of its world-famous architecture. It’s the most informative and scenic way to experience the city’s iconic riverfront.
  • Skydeck Chicago: Located on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower, Skydeck Chicago offers panoramic city views from one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Its glass ledge balconies let visitors stand 1,353 feet above the streets for a thrilling perspective.

Visitor tips

  • Pre-book your tickets online, especially during weekends or special exhibition periods.
  • Use the free audio guide via the museum’s app (iOS & Android) for enhanced storytelling and context behind the masterpieces.
  • Bring headphones with you to listen to the audio guides during your visit.
  • Grab a museum map (digital or paper) upon entry to help navigate the many galleries within the museum.
  • Visit around midday and go for the guided tours, which take place at 1pm and 3pm, to get ample time for self-exploration afterward.
  • If you’re on a tight schedule, focus on the must-see galleries/sections (Impressionist, American Art, and Modern Wing).
  • Pair your visit with a stroll in nearby Millennium Park for additional photo opportunities (don't miss “The Bean”).
  • Utilize the coat check if you’re bringing bulky items, ensuring a more comfortable experience inside.

Frequently asked questions about the Art Institute of Chicago tickets

Most visitors spend about 3 to 4 hours exploring the expansive collections, while art enthusiasts can easily spend an entire day. If you're in a hurry, a short self-guided tour focusing on highlights can be done in around 2 hours.