Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(If you do head down here, don't miss Marc Chagall's stunning stained-glass
windows at the end of the gallery.)
If you have older kids, you'll find an array of works to satiate any interest: Japan-
ese
ukiyo-e
prints, ancient Egyptian bronzes and Greek vases, 19th-century British
photography, masterpieces by most of the greatest names in 20th-century sculp-
ture, or modern American textiles. No matter how many times you visit, there are
always new works to be seen and special shows that draw in even more crowds.
For a good general overview of the museum's collection, take the free “High-
lights of the Art Institute” tour, offered at 2pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Tues-
day. Those with limited time and kids with limited patience for tours should
head straight to the museum's renowned collection of Impressionist art (includ-
ing one of the world's largest collections of Monet paintings), one of the more
highly trafficked areas of the museum. Among the treasures here you'll find
Seurat's pointillist masterpiece
Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande
Jatte.
Your second must-see area is the galleries of European and American con-
temporary art, ranging from paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media works
from Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Salvador Dalí through Willem de
Kooning, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. Visitors are sometimes surprised
when they discover many of the icons that hang here. (Grant Wood's
American
Gothic
and Edward Hopper's
Nighthawks
are two that bring double takes from
many visitors.)
If you want to steer clear of the crowds, you'll find more breathing room in
the galleries of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art. Other recom-
mended exhibits are the collection of delicate mid-19th-century glass paper-
weights in the museum's famous Arthur Rubloff collection.
The museum also has a cafeteria and an elegant full-service restaurant, a pic-
turesque courtyard cafe with a jazz quintet on Tuesday evenings in the summer
(open June-Sept and highly recommended for families), and a large shop. There
is a busy schedule of lectures, films, and other special presentations, as well as
guided tours, to enhance your viewing of the art.
111 S. Michigan Ave. (at Adams St.).
&
312/443-3600.
www.artic.edu. Suggested admission $10 adults; $6 sen-
iors, children, and students with ID. Additional cost for special exhibitions. Free admission Tues. Mon-Fri 10:30am-
4:30pm (Tues until 8pm); Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec 25. Subway/El: Green, Brown,
Purple, or Orange Line to Adams; Red Line to Monroe/State or Jackson/State. Bus: 3, 4, 60, 145, 147, or 151.
Touring the Art Institute
Keeping track of your kids in the crowds that flood the Art Institute during
its peak days might reduce your enjoyment of your favorite masterpieces.
Your best bet is to avoid the craziest times: Many people don't realize
the museum is open on Monday, so the galleries are relatively subdued.
Wednesday is a close second. Tuesday tends to draw the masses because
the Art Institute is free and open late (until 8pm). Try to arrive when the
doors open in the morning or else during the lunchtime lull.
Another tip:
If the Michigan Avenue entrance is crowded, head around to the entrance
on the Columbus Drive side, which is usually less congested and is more
convenient to the Grant Park underground parking garage. There's also a
small gift shop near the Columbus Drive entrance that you might want to
check out if the main shop is too bustling.
Tips
