Chicago is a dream come true for art and culture lovers. It has always been one of my favorite places to spend a long weekend in the United States. Located on the shores of one of the largest lakes in the world, Lake Michigan, it is a melting pot of historic buildings and iconic contemporary architecture. More than 2.5 million people call Chicago home, and among them are incredibly talented creatives who form the beating heart of the vibrant city.
Over the years I’ve traveled to Chicago countless times, usually to see live music, and every time I visit I find new and surprising public art exhibits. From the opulence of the Gold Coast to the historic charm of the Old Town, there are endless ways to keep busy in the Windy City, but don’t miss some of the iconic arts and cultural attractions on your next visit.
Art Museums of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the top-rated art schools in the world. It has been around for over 155 years and has been attended by countless visionary creatives. Students can choose to study painting, sculpture, fashion design, ceramics, creative writing and more. The Art Institute of Chicago is also home to one of the most incredible art museums in the country. The sprawling museum displays more than 300,000 pieces representing different eras. The oldest exhibits date back thousands of years.
Some of the most famous pieces you can view during your visit include American Gothic by Grant Wood, The old guitarist by Pablo Picasso, The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai, Water lilies by Claude Monet, Sky above clouds IV by Georgia O’Keeffe, and Liz by Andy Warhol – to name just a few. I could spend hours wandering through this museum, but if you’re short on time, you can see some of the highlights in just an hour. The museum is open Friday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Adult admission costs $32.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is another must-visit place for art lovers. It is one of the largest museums dedicated to showcasing current artists. It is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the ideas of modern creatives and their expressions of current world events, politics and culture. Founded in 1966, the museum features an astonishing permanent collection of contemporary art and interesting changing exhibitions featuring some of the most iconic artists of our time.
The National Museum of Mexican Art is located in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood and highlights the work of Mexican, Latino, and Chicago artists. The museum has an impressive permanent collection dating back more than 3,000 years and changing exhibitions.
Street art in Chicago
In addition to the city’s many fantastic museums and galleries, Chicago is home to some incredible street art. In almost every neighborhood of the city you will find great public art exhibitions, such as the famous Cloud Gate statue in Millennium Park, which are free to visit and open to everyone. Graffiti first appeared around Chicago in the United States 60’s and 70’s, and over the years the movement quickly grew into intricate exhibitions that have become Chicago’s beloved artistic and cultural offerings. The city has largely embraced street art and epic murals can be found in even the poshest neighborhoods.
The Pilsen neighborhood has been a hub for street art for decades and is known for its Mexican cultural heritage. Many artists call the area home, and the streets are lined with studios and galleries. You’ll see murals on the sides of houses and buildings, but the most breathtaking sight stretches along 16th Street, from Halsted Street to Western Avenue along the railroad embankment. You can walk about two miles along the sidewalk to see a variety of works by local and international artists.
The Wabash Quarter is home to some of the largest murals in the city, some of which reach the tops of ten-story buildings. The Wabash Arts Corridor is an initiative of Columbia Arts College that began in 2013 and has transformed the business district into an artistic masterpiece. The murals in this area are called Big Walls. Some of the most famous murals are Doom to Bloom by Collin van der Sluijs, Muddy Waters Mural by Eduardo Kobra and Make Your Own Luck by ASVP. To see them all, download the WAC card.
Of course, no street art tour of Chicago is complete without a visit to the Logan Square/Wicker Park neighborhood, where you can take some selfies next to the iconic Greetings from Chicago mural. Humboldt Park is home to even more art, such as Jeff Zimmerman’s The Party, a political commentary on the immigrant experience. In Rogers Park, you can check out the Mile of Murals art initiative, which has more than 150,000 square feet of public art exhibits.
