Guide to the Art Institute of Chicago: Tips and Top Exhibits

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the city’s cultural statement pieces. You enter it and it’s a kaleidoscope of not just art but also history, pop culture, film, and more.

If you’re an art lover, this needs to be on your Chicago bucket list. Growing up as an aspiring artist myself, this place always inspired me with its diverse exhibits and art not just on the walls but in sculpture, movement and mixed media.

But you don’t need to be an art enthusiast to enjoy an afternoon at Chicago’s biggest art museum. A quick Google search will show you that the institute is one of the top attractions in Chicago with broad appeal for travelers of all kinds.

In this piece I’ll introduce you to some of the best works of art that you’ll see as well as insider tips for how to make the most of your time here. I’ll also touch on a special connection to film history that’s fun to look for when you visit.

How Chicago’s art institute started

The Art Institute of Chicago began as a school and museum called the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts in 1879, becoming the Art Institute of Chicago officially in 1882. The museum was built on a landfill from the Great Chicago Fire right off Michigan Avenue (the road that becomes the Magnificent Mile).

Fun fact: The two bronze lions that greet you at the front entrance have been steadfast watchers of the museum since its inception.

What to see at the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago showcases several different art styles and origins, like indigenous art, impressionism, surrealism, art deco, and modernism. It also features a broad variety of art mediums — not just paintings and photos. There are architectural drawings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and much more.

You’ll find artists from around the world here, including many well-known works by the masters. These are some of my favorite artists (maybe yours too) that you might see at the museum:

• Vincent Van Gogh
• Grant Wood
• Pierre-Auguste Renoir
• George Seurat
• Pablo Picasso
• Marc Chagall

The amount of art in this museum is a bit mind-blowing. There are thousands of pieces in the collection that routinely rotate in and out. They also showcase special exhibits during certain times of year, such as this Ghosts and Demons in Japanese Prints exhibit held in October.

The art institute in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’

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The art institute also has a famous connection to Chicago’s cinematic history you might know. If you’ve seen “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” you’ll notice several popular exhibits are featured in the film.

One of my favorite things to do is pose with art pieces featured in the 1985 film. While some of the artwork has moved since the movie was filmed here, you can still find most of them pretty easily.

• Be like Cameron and get lost looking at George Seurat’s painting “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” in the European Painting and Sculpture Gallery. 
• In the same gallery, pose like Auguste Rodin’s statue “Portrait of Balzac.” 
• Kiss a date in front of the beautiful stained glass of Marc Chagall’s “American Windows” in the Modern Art Gallery section. 

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And check out other beloved paintings featured in the film, like Gustave Caillebotte’s “Paris Street Rainy Day,” Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks,” Pablo Picasso’s “The Old Guitarist,” Mary Cassatt’s “The Child’s Bath,” Jackson Pollock’s “Greyed Rainbow,” and several more. 

Chicago art institute opening and admission

The Art Institute is open weekly, Thursday to Monday. It’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

General admission for non-residents is $32 for adults and $26 for seniors 65 and older, students, and teens 14-17 years old. Kids under 14 get in free.

If you have a Bank of America debit card, you can get free access on the first full weekend of each month.

Looking for a deal? If you’re an Illinois resident, the Art Institute of Chicago offers occasional free days throughout the year. Check their website for free admission opportunities.

How much time should I spend at Chicago’s Art Institute?

When I go to the institute, I typically spend 2-3 hours. You get through it in an hour if you wanted to, though I always take longer. 

I recommend blocking off a morning or afternoon so you can fully enjoy the collections. If you visit without using public transit, allow a little extra time for traffic and parking.

Things to do near the art institute

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There are quite a few attractions close to the Art Institute of Chicago. 

You can walk to see Cloud Gate within minutes of leaving the museum. Willis Tower, featuring Skydeck Chicago, isn’t far, and there’s Navy Pier, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium, all nearby. 

Which Chicago location do you want to go to next? A guided stroll along the riverwalk is a great way to kick off your morning. 

It’s your turn to choose an adventure. The city is waiting for you to explore.