Sight The Loop, Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
A sight in The Loop, Chicago, pricey ($$$) and worth about 3 hours. Best time to go: Weekday morning.
Why go
Huge collection including Nighthawks, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and the Thorne Miniature Rooms.
It is one of 19 curated places we feature in Chicago, alongside 6 activities, 4 places to eat and 4 sights. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Millennium Park and Cindy's.
- Type
- Sight · Culture
- Neighborhood
- The Loop
- Price
- $$$
- Time needed
- 3 hr
- Best time
- Weekday morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 1 beyond Chicago. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Millennium Park
Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain and free summer concerts at Pritzker Pavilion.
Sight · 0.2 mi straight-line - 2Cindy's
Rooftop bar atop the Chicago Athletic Association with views over Millennium Park and Lake Michigan.
Drinks · The Loop & Chicago River · 0.2 mi straight-line - 3McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Free outdoor rink in Millennium Park next to Cloud Gate, open from mid-November into March; skate rental extra.
Activity · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon
A quarter-mile loop of ice winding over the hills of Maggie Daley Park, with the skyline rising behind it.
Activity · 0.3 mi straight-line - 5The Berghoff
German restaurant on West Adams Street since 1898, with schnitzel, sauerbraten and its own root beer and lager.
Food · 0.3 mi straight-line - 6The Walnut Room at Macy's
Marshall Field's 1907 dining room on State Street, where a Great Tree rises through the room each Christmas.
Food · 0.4 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Art Institute of Chicago is a stop on our Chicago & Great Lakes route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More sights to see in Chicago
3 more curated sights in Chicago. See the full Chicago guide.
When to go
Average daily highs in Chicago run from 32°F in January to 77°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Art Institute of Chicago itself, we suggest: Weekday morning.
Modelled monthly averages for Chicago from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Chicago weather by month.
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Art Institute of Chicago, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
Art Institute of Chicago: quick answers
How much time do you need at Art Institute of Chicago?
Plan on about 3 hours at Art Institute of Chicago. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Art Institute of Chicago?
Our pick: Weekday morning. Insider tip: Allow at least 3 hours; the Modern Wing links to Millennium Park.
Where is Art Institute of Chicago?
Art Institute of Chicago is at 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA, in The Loop. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Art Institute of Chicago?
Art Institute of Chicago appears on Chicago & Great Lakes, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Art Institute of Chicago to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Chicago.
Plan Chicago
- Chicago travel guide 19 places
- Best time to visit Chicago weather by month
- Chicago to Milwaukee 81 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Chicago
- Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise Activity
- Au Cheval Food
- Green Mill Cocktail Lounge Drinks
- Lincoln Park Zoo Outdoors
- Christkindlmarket Shopping
- The Drake Stay
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.