THE 10 BEST Chicago Art Museums
Art Museums in Chicago
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Museums
Museums
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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31 places sorted by traveller favourites
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Near North Side
Art Museums
Streeterville
Admission tickets from $37
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
West Loop
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
Downtown / The Loop
Art Museums
River West
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Temporarily closed
Art Museums • History Museums
West Town
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Hyde Park
Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Museums
North Side
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Grand Boulevard
Art Museums
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Downtown / The Loop
Art Museums
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Rogers Park
Art Museums
Near North Side
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Irving Park
Art Museums
Art Galleries • Art Museums
West Loop
Art Museums
Art Museums
Showing results 1-30 of 31
What travellers are saying
- Tyler HUnited States49 contributionsThe best museum in Chicago unquestionably. A beautiful building with an unstoppable collection in the best neighborhood in the city. Only critique is the gift shop, the Museum of Contemporary Art’s is much better.Written 10 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- YASIR MDubai, United Arab Emirates32 contributionsThis hidden gem is perfect for art and architecture lovers. Housed in a stunning historic mansion, it features exquisite collections of decorative arts and period design. The intricate details and vibrant exhibits offer a captivating glimpse into the Gilded Age. Knowledgeable staff enhance the experience with engaging insights. A must-visit for anyone exploring Chicago's cultural scene!Written 9 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BastianCopenhagen, Denmark113 contributionsThe museum is not very large compared to other contemporary art museums but it makes good use of the space. You can easily see all exhibitions in a couple of hours. There is a good mix of different artistic styles on display.Written 23 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ProwanderSan Francisco, CA455 contributionsExtraordinary in many ways. I was surprised at both the number of exhibits and the size of the museum. A world class museum off the beaten path but a place one must visit. Shockingly --- it's completely free.Written 10 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kristy PRepublic, MO8 contributionsWent here for my friends 50th Birthday. We had a blast. I would recomend taking your time in each room as its self guided but you can't go backwards. We loved how the lights and stuff worked in each room. There was lots of places for cool selfies. Don't forget to check out the bathrooms at the end as they also have exibits in them as well. Oh and the tasting station was also worth stopping for. The gift shop in the end is fun with games you can play and a wall of chips you can't find many place. I recomend trying one!Written 30 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peggy B3 contributionsA must-see if you are interested in architecture, interior design, miniatures or historical interiors. Sixty-plus amazingly detailed interiors representng hundreds of years of European and American architecture, furnishings, lighting, art and decor. We were blown away by the craftsmanship and detail at such a small scale. Just one example: Imagine a tiny embroidery frame with a work in progress--and a tiny needle at hand on the piece ready for work to resume.Written 1 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mikey2 contributionsthis is a fun small museum with an interesting collection. We take all our visitors here. You need a couple hours here and it is something a bit different in the city.Written 10 January 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ElaineAndGregChesterland, OH3,089 contributionsThe Smart Museum of Art -- really more of a gallery -- sits on the University of Chicago campus. For most, it will not be worth a visit in its own right, but it is within walking distance of the Frank Lloyd Wright Robie House and maybe a little over a mile from the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, so it might be combined with a visit to one of those sites.
The museum is in a modern-ish building as part of the University of Chicago. It was funded by a pair of brothers who, among other things, founded Esquire magazine.
We understand that there is a permanent collection that includes some of the furnishings from the Robie House. During our visit, however, the entire building was taken up with an exhibition of the Meiji period, the era in Japan from roughly 1868 to 1912, when the country was transforming from an isolated feudal society, to a powerful, modern one under the Meiji emperor.
The Japanese influences on western art at the time are well known. Works such as Puccini's Madame Butterfly or Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado reflected that new contact. Frank Lloyd Wright himself was influenced by Japanese design. The Art Nouveau movement was both influenced by and an influence on Japanese art.
This exhibition reflects Japan's own reflection on the changes to its culture, whether assimilating or resisting western efforts. Japan's own development during this period was staggering, developing a modern army and navy that largely defeated Russia in the early 1900s. This art reflects all of these changes.
Among our favorites was a print with a Japanese maiden being wooed by a rough westerner while a "good" spirit warns her to stay with her own culture. Another depicts a man well-dressed in western-style clothing while his companion is in a traditional komono. Another is an over-the-top propaganda piece depicting the Chinese arming setting packs of tigers on the Japanese troops (as the materials note, tigers don't hunt in packs).
This exhibit only runs to early June, but we enjoyed it very much and appreciated the thoughtful explanatory material and the fascinating interplay between art and history in Japan during this period.
The museum itself has roughly four well-lit galleries. Admission is free.Written 29 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Neta_AviviTel Aviv, Israel3,484 contributionsIntuit is a museum dedicated to presenting self-taught art, the work of artists outside of the mainstream art. I loved it! While I visited, they presented Jerry’s Map by Jerry Gretzinger and "Surrender to Survival" by Justin Duerr. It is a wonderful place to get familiar with unique artists. They also have a small shop carrying cool artsy items - a great place for buying gifts.Written 1 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kmz88Plon, Germany390 contributionsIt's a small but nice museum. The people who run it are very friendly. They are eager to tell you about the culture and history of Ukraine, which is very nice. The museum is free. They do take donations. You will see and learn a lot about Ukraine. The egg collection is beautiful!Written 12 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Eva TUnited Kingdom4,986 contributionsWe walked on South Wabash Avenue and there, at the corner with E Van Buren Street we spotted this huge mural. Very interesting for me as I'm a big fan of this street art. But it shown need of some TLC.Written 15 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Yessita OppugnoChicago, IL74 contributionsA good place to explore artworks from all over the world. They have interesting exhibitions and events to meet the artists and discuss their work. It’s a very good choice to know the beautiful buildings of the University of Chicago while also seeing hidden jewels of art.Written 15 February 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Chelsey C2 contributionsThis experience was 5 out of 5. We attended on a Friday afternoon and the museum was pretty empty with only a few other guests. The art was amazing and the staff were friendly and welcoming.Written 16 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- M F6 contributionsThe museum recently Re-opened in a bright, contemporary space. The collection is amazing- there is an amazing assortment of Han funerary pottery. There is an entire room dedicated to art of the Ming Dynasty- including some really cool dragons and a life size sculpture. Most of the museum is Chinese art, but there was a nice selection of Japanese art and a few beautiful Pala period steles from India. It is definitely worth a visit!Written 9 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CityHiker73near Milwaukee, WI449 contributionsWe happened to be visiting a relative nearby, and this museum was recommended to us. It is on the second floor, so you do have to be alert to find it. We were greeted warmly. It is art by all veterans, though more by Viet Nam vets. Many thought-provoking drawings and photographs. Some sculptures. One area highlights work by Kurt Vonnegut, and another is inspired by Tim O'Brien's books. The O'Brien room is filled with stuff brought by soldiers.Written 29 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
