Art Institute of Chicago--Chicago Stock Exchange Room

You can keep your Louvres and just leave me the Art Institute of Chicago, thank you very much. This is a classic museum with one of the finest collections of art the world has ever seen. The fact it is nestled in my home town just adds to my love for this place. The first thing you will see when you walk to the front entrance of this gorgeous building are the famous lions guarding the entrance. At various times of the year these lions might have hats on their head. Last year they had White Sox hats on their heads. This is as it should be, as far as I am concerned. Inside you will find an endless supply of gorgeous works of art to look at. Even as a kid I loved this place because I could always find the paintings with the blood in them, which is always entertaining for a young boy. Of course, you will also need to stop and stare at the gorgeous stained glass windows. You may have seen them during the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" during their visit there. If you have a loved one, sneaking a kiss in front of the stained glass is not a bad idea. It's a great bit of culture for the city and a great place to visit the next time you are in town. more

One of the great parts of the Art Institute is that it is free to the public. They want you to pay a small donation if you can, but it could even be a penny. They have art shows here as well, but that will end up costing you. I had a bad experience showing up here when there was a field trip and the children were running around screaming. Call ahead first and ask what days are the best for quietly pacing the museum more

Going to the Art Institute is like going shopping--you need to go frequently so you don't miss anything and, at the same time, don't get burned out because of an all-day session. The curators do lovely work in the organization and flow of the works. I particularly like the few Georgia O'Keefe pieces--they are stunning and highly recommended! The gift shop is also a good place to pick up atypical and often unique presents. more

This is an awesome art museum. Its a great place to visit for toursits and Chicago residents as well. The exhibits are great. The place is really really ncie with nice architectures, drawings, and sculptures. There's always something new to look at when I visit here. You can seriously spend an entire day here..that's how amazing this place is! Plus, there's all sorts of discounts available at tourists spots. more

One of the best art museums in the world is located right here in our town. The two famous lion statues greet you as you pass thru the grand entrance. Each time I visit here my mouth gapes open and I am just blown away by this place. Some of the most well known artists and sculptures' works are displayed here year-round. They also have special exhibits that usually last a month or so of other giants in the art world that pass thru this historic and celebrated museum. It is free on Tues. otherwise it is $12 for adults. If you have not been here yet you are really missing. This is a must see! more

You could spend a week here and still not see all there is to see! Because of that I felt really rushed when I went - only had one day and didn't want to miss anything! I would really like to go again and just pick what I really want to see, so that I can browse and take my time. I live close enough that I could go a few times instead of packing it all into one day. This is a great place to visit! more

I have always loved visiting this wonderful place. It's one of the top art museums in the world filled with priceless paintings, sculptures and collections that will make your eyes bug out. The list of famous painters and sculptures that's work graces this Chicago landmark is too long to mention. A must stop when visiting the city. Inspiring and awesome. more

This place is, first of all, absolutely HUGE!!!! It is hard to find where to start. If I were to go here again I would find out when the tours are, and see some of those. It is an absolutely gorgeas building, with great work. My advice is go early on a Tuesday (it's free on that day) then, when they close at 4:30, you can hightail it to the Museum of Contemporary Art for another 4 hours (That's long enough to see the whole MCA) more

The Art Institute of Chicago is arguably the best art museum in the United States; it is certainly in the top five. The vast collection covers an incredible span of time and space in art. Where else will you see several Monets in the same room, on the same wall, so you can see how a particular idea and theme developed in his work? This is repeated again with influential artist after artist. Remember in Ferris Bueller's Day Off how Cameron just stopped and stared, blown away by the Surrat? That's what the whole museum is like. Do your homework ahead of time so you know what you can't miss, and then take your time exploring the exhibits. more

This place really is a Chicago landmark, and they are continuously offering new and better options for enjoying art. You can brush up on all you need to know about the classics like Van Gogh and Renoir. Or you can walk through ancient lands, visit modern installations, or even get to view a visiting sculpture or art show. Check them out in the paper or online and see what they're showing off now! more

I like the Art Institute so much that I have been a card-carrying member for years. I enjoy seeing every major exhibition, but it is always a treat to revisit its acclaimed selection of works, from French to Italian to American to Asian artists covering so many periods and styles. I look forward to the new building addition under construction designed by architect Renzo Piano. more

Folks from all around the world visit here. I know I have met some of them on my visits there. It ranks in the top 5 art museums of the world, and rightly so. You cannot or should not try to see it all in one day.If you haven't been there this is a must see. There is a free day on Tuesday if you want to save $12. more

You can do this, but it isn't completely ethical. Admission to this place is a suggested donation, so pay something. You have to go here when they are having an exhibit, because they are always great. Those do cost extra though. If you just have an appreciation for art then this is a great place to go and sit down quietly for a while in a room of paintings. more

The Art Institute of Chicago has a world-renowned collection of artwork, ranging from intricate miniature rooms of period furniture to countless pieces by Monet, Picasso, and Seurat. You can easily spend all day here and not see everything, so there's always a good reason to return. Admission isn't overly cheap, but do know that it's a "suggested donation," so you don't have to pay at all if you can't afford it. Audio tours are available at an additional cost, and docents give tours throughout the day for those wanting additional information on the art. The gift shop is huge and fantastic, so be sure to take a pass through before you end your day. Overall, this is an amazing museum for the whole family. more

The Art Institute has what is arguably one of the best collections of of Impressionist paintings in the world. I also had the good fortune to be able to see the Van Gogh and Gauguin exhibit while it was at the Art Institute. Remarkable. more

I worked at the museum shop and I've noticed that many people just come in tot eh museum shop, look at everything and avoid paying for admission. IT IS NOT THE SAME THING! There are so many works here to digest and its really best to just come here in small doses. Its a good place to wander around in and just relax but its a terrible place to take pictures and try to see EVERYTHING. You can't see EVERYTHING...theres way too much. But be sure to hit the modern art section sicne they have a huge selection of Dali. The restaurant is also ultra romantic. more

The Art Institute of Chicago is for those who enjoy fine art. The exhibits include paintings to pottery and sculptures. They have famous artist from Van Gogh to Picasso. They have art for everyone from Traditional to Contemporary and from European, U.S. and Asian artist. The Museum is huge and I would plan for at least 1/2 day to go through the exhibits. There is underground Chicago Parking but you will need to pay for parking. Admissions is $12 which is a bargain for a world class Museum. more

The Art Institute is a great place to spend the day in Chicago. They have some very famous and influential works of art on display, and this is a great place for kids and even adults to learn about some of the most famous artists and works in the world. They have special admission prices for students, and i believe they have free admission on tuesdays. more

The Art Institute of Chicago is a museum with a variety of art and sculptures on display. It contains many famous artwork and paintings, none of which I can name though, since I am not into art. Even so, I think the Art Institute is a decent museum for all kinds of people. Art lovers should love this place. more

The art institute of Chicago is a great place to spend the entire afternoon. They have great traveling exhibits. This place is inexpensive to get into. I would recommend using this map to get around because it is easy to get lost or miss something that you really want to see. I have been here a few times and it seems like a new place each time I visit. I think it is a good family friendly place, kids love the armor exhibit! more