You have probably seen reproductions of some of the masterpieces here your whole life, but nothing compares to seeing them in their original glory in person. One of my favorite paintings on display is Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, one of the most recognizable pieces in American art. Other famous works of art include Grant Wood’s American Gothic, Vincent Van Gogh’s Self Portrait, Archibald Motley, Jr.’s Nightlife, and A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884 by Georges Seurat.

And while the Art Institute is famous for its collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and American art, the museum offers so much more than paintings hanging on walls. There are remarkable miniatures of European and American architecture and furniture, sculptures from all over the world, an amazing collection of weapons and armor from the Medieval and Renaissance times, and galleries of first-class modern photography. My best friend and I found it significantly easy to spend hours among the beauty from over 5,000 years of artistry.

The museum has several lectures, programs, and events available to the public, so be sure to check out their online schedule. You’ll also find information on their temporary and permanent exhibits, as well as self-tours you can print out yourself. And be sure to stop by The Museum Shop, where you can find prints and posters of many of the paintings.

From May 31 through August 31, the Art Institute (located right next to Millennium Park) has free admission on Thursday and Friday evenings, from 5:00 p.m until 9:00 p.m. Otherwise, admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children, students, and seniors.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

The Art Institute of Chicago ($): 111 S Michigan Ave; 312-443-3600
Mon – Weds: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thurs – Fri: 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sat – Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Pay lots available
Public trans: Bus # 1, 2, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 10, 14, 26, X28, 29, 36, 62, 126, 127, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151
Orange/Purple/Pink/Green/Brown Line train (Adams)
Red/Blue Line train (Monroe, Jackson)
Metra (Van Buren)
http://www.artic.edu/aic/index.php

Post from: The Chicago Traveler