Mentioned by Chicago Favorites
Best Museums in Chicago 2021
"DowntownWalk among the Warhols If the modern wing at the Art Institute of Chicago isn’t enough, lovers of modern art can’t miss the Museum of Contemporary Art. In fact, the building itself (home to the MCA since 1996) is a modern marvel and an ode to Chicago in both its nods to famous architects from the Chicago School and in its design, which was inspired by the city’s grid system. Featuring a collection that includes Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, and countless more modern art heavy-hitters, the museum will leave you dazzled for hours."
"Museum of Contemporary Art With an ever-changing set of temporary exhibitions, you never really know what you’re going to get at this museum. It’s good for modern art lovers but sometimes verges on just being weird."
"Located in Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art is the only museum dedicated to Latino culture that’s a member of the American Alliance of Museums. The museum has over 9,000 examples of Mexican art from ancient Mexico to the present as well as special exhibitions. While technically free, they do ask for a donation if you can spare it."
"Head to the National Museum of Mexican Art for one of the best collections of Latin works in the country. Mexican culture is celebrated with art spanning over 3,000 years and a whopping 10,000 piece permanent collection."
"The small but mighty Museum of Contemporary Photography’s permanent collection is a hidden gem, with vintage photos, contemporary works, a vast Dorothea Lange collection (she’s famous for her touching Dust Bowl images during the Great Depression), Farm Security Administration photography from the same era, and more. The museum’s centerpiece, though, is the Midwest Photographers Project, which cycles through the portfolios of new and established Midwest photographers, each examining a different social experience, from the slums of Mumbai to electronics and teens. Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S."
"Now openMuseum of Contemporary Photography is a leading college museum dedicated to international photography, with a mission to foster a deeper understanding of photos as an art form. The collection, which is always free for the public to explore, includes more than 16,000 objects by over 1,500 artists."
"The small but mighty Museum of Contemporary Photography has a permanent collection. Many works such as old photographs, contemporary works, a large Dorothea Lange collection are in this museum. Farm Security Administration photos from the same period are the hidden gem of this place."
"Nestled on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park, the Smart Museum houses more than 15,000 artworks, ranging from European paintings and Asian arts to contemporary and modern art. This is also home to The H. C. Westermann Study Collection, which is one of the most significant public collections of artwork and archival material related to the artist’s life and work. Bonus: the Smart Museum is free."
"Smart Museum of Artart Museum of Art in the University of Chicago campus, Illinois has a permanent collection of over 15,000 items. It is displayed in four permanent exhibition galleries which include Modern art, Asian Art, European Art and Contemporary Art. These collections are also used for academic purposes and are taught at the University."
"The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago's campus. The Smart Museum has a permanent collection with more than 15,000 objects, ranging from modern art to Asian art to contemporary art to European art. The galleries are rehung each year."
"The enterprise looks for originality and quality of execution and showcases European and American sculpture and paintings in a range of styles and media. Past exhibits have featured Scott Hill and Robert Erickson. Read more about Addington Gallery →"
"Addington Gallery specializes in featuring mixed-media artworks and paintings made with hot wax. they feature artists creating art from contemporary subjects and mediums. Furthermore, they also host exhibitions with paintings and installations."
"The Arts Club of Chicago is an art museum with public exhibitions and private tours. The club's first floors are open to the public at no admission cost; private tours of the permanent collection can be arranged. The Arts Club, which opened in 1916, was home to the first United States showing of Pablo Picasso's work."
"The Renaissance Society is a kunsthalle-style museum that presents about 4 exhibits a year from international artists. It focuses on contemporary art and is located at the University of Chicago."
"Hunkered down across from Grant Park, this 110,000-ton granite-and-limestone behemoth was an instant star when it debuted in 1899, and…"
"Intuit: The centre for intuitive and outsider art is the only non-profit organization in the United States that presents intuitive, outsider and contemporary self-taught art. The Henry Darger Collection holds a permanent spot in this gallery, which also features a permanent collection containing more than a thousand artworks. There is a study centre at the gallery: Robert A. Roth Study Center, which conducts educational programs and is open for the public."
"This is a term coined by its founders to describe art created by self-taught artists or those without any formal training. The focus here is on artists who for any number of reasons exist outside of mainstream art. The permanent collection features artists including Minnie Evans, Miles Carpenter, and William Hawkins."
"Description: The new home for the Poetry Foundation was designed by John Ronan Architects and built in 2011, being 26,000 sq ft its project area. Yet so small it is one of the most effective buildings in terms of concept. Like a poem that invites multiple readings, the space encourages repeated visits, revealing itself slowly over time."
"Chicago's Poetry Foundation is all about the study of poetry. It was the first place in the city of Chicago to focus only on poetry as an art form, which was the dream of Poetry magazine's Harriet Monroe. The foundation's goal is to heighten public and cultural interest in poetry."
"We love this sophisticated home of Poetry magazine for its underplayed elegance and hushed presence among bustling River North. It’s not shouting, “Look at me!. ” in any way or trying to be the biggest or tallest; it’s just quietly doing its job."
"After Art Smith lost the lbs., he turned his attention to a casual chain serving food that fit his new, healthy lifestyle. That meant the fried chicken had to go, and was replaced with an un-fried version served alongside roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and cashew cream sauce that maxes-out at 566 calories."
"While not an exclusively vegetarian restaurant, Lyfe Kitchen's locations promote a healthy lifestyle by placing vegetables above all else in their menu. Try their vegan beet poke or Beyond Burger to see what we mean."
"A post shared by elly’s (@ellysbrunchcafe) on Nov 18, 2019 at 5:02pm PST. Do not come here if you don’t plan on ordering the oven-baked pancakes. That’s not to say there’s no other reason to visit—it’s to say you’d have regrets for daaays."
"When the doughnut craze hit the city, there was one ring to rule them all: Do-Rite Donut’s Buttermilk Old Fashioned Donut. This treat is the one thing folks always leave our Gateway to the West Loop Food Tour raving about. Crunchy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and coated in a vanilla-bean glaze, this doughnut reaches perfection when dunked in coffee."
"A photo posted by Chicago Foodie @ UVA (@biteee_meee) on Sep 29, 2016 at 7:44am PDT. Do-Rite has some of the best donuts in the city, but most people don't know that they also have dank fried chicken sandwiches that rival Chick-fil-A. The original chicken sandwich, which comes with lettuce, pickles, and mayo, will only set you back $4.99."
"Top-pick donuts here include the Carrot Cake, Chocolate Old Fashioned and Pistachio Lemon. If you are trying to be less sinful, try their gluten-free or vegan options. Do-rite serves them up daily and you can even order online."