Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Ravenswood

"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. To encourage more people to visit and visit often, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away."

"Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art holds one of the world’s largest collections of post-1950 art. You can easily explore the museum by foot in just a couple of hours, making it perfect for an afternoon activity. In addition to world-famous works, they also host exhibits dedicated to local artists and put a lot of care into the local community."

"Families will adore the colorful National Museum of Mexican Art located in the heart of Pilsen. With five galleries to explore, kids and parents won’t feel rushed to see everything and can view the exhibits at their own pace. Even if you don’t see everything you wanted, admission to the museum is free, so a return visit can be planned."

"South LoopExperience the world through photographs Don’t let the fact that this museum is on the Columbia College Chicago campus discourage you; it is one of the most famous photography museums in the entire Midwest, and it features an impressive collection of works by the likes of Marina Abramovic, Ansel Adams Henri Cartier-Bresson, Irving Penn, and countless more. Current and upcoming exhibits include “In Their Own Form,” an Afrofuturist exhibit which “seeks to illuminate the myriad ways blackness might hope to exist without the imposition of oppression,” and a collection of inventive collages titled “Echoes: Identity and Politics in Contemporary Collage.”. What to know before you go: The Museum of Contemporary Photography is open 10am to 5pm Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 10am to 8pm Thursday and noon to 5pm Sunday."

"Tucked away in the South Loop, within Columbia College, the Museum of Contemporary Photography is one of Chicago’s best-kept secrets. It’s a small but mighty museum, regularly carrying the work of local photographers. The museum’s Midwest Photographers Project cycles through new and established midwest photographers, each examining a different social experience, from the slums of Mumbai to electronics and teens."

"Photo courtesy of Courtesy of the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Photo by Chris Strong. No, it's not the University of Chicago waving its intellect at the rest of us (although it is on the campus), but rather this Hyde Park museum is named for brothers David and Alfred Smart, the original publishers of Esquire magazine."

"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."

"Founded in 1974, the Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago and is home to acclaimed special exhibitions and a permanent collection that spans five thousand years of artistic creation."

"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 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 gist: Sushi chef Otto Phan, the mastermind behind the acclaimed omakase restaurant Kyoten, returns with this bi-level, dual concept spot featuring a casual first-floor walk-in izakaya abutting a reservation-only omakase upstairs.The food: Downstairs, expect a modern take on Japanese street fare like butter shoyu chicken, shrimp and pork gyoza with shiitake XO sauce and gochujang, and soy braised short rib, among other shareables. Upstairs, Phan offers one 6 pm seating per night (two on Saturday) of a 15-course, 90-minute Edomae-style sushi omakase, with each component spanning different aging and marinating techniques. The cost: Izakaya dishes $6 - $14, omakase $125 - $150 per person, cocktails $14, wine and sake by the glass $10 - $18, wine and sake by the bottle $45 - $120.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."

"Hinoki Sushiko offers two distinct experiences: snag a spot in the sleek first-floor Izakaya-style lounge to try new twists on Japanese street food between sips of craft sake. On the other hand, you could reserve a spot upstairs for an Omakase experience, where the chef presents you with 18 pieces of traditionally prepared sushi. (Hop on that reservation, though—there’s only one Omakase seating per night, with limited availability.)"

"The investors behind Hinoki Sushiko reeled in a big fish when they brought in Kyoten chef Otto Phan into the project. While Phan remains focused on his Logan Square sushi den, he’s lent his talents in developing the menu and sharing where he sources his imported fish. Hinoki Sushiko will be a fun spot for Japanese pub snacks and drinks on the first floor."

"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."

"The huge, globally inspired menu of this Albany Park spot is filled with craveable items, like the Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Fried Mac-and-Cheese Balls, and the Caesar Avocado Wrap. It’s all about vegetarian comfort food here, and there are many vegan (and gluten-free) options as well. Never tried jackfruit, touted as a great meat substitute?"

"With menu sections called, “I’m not really hungry but I’m gonna eat anyway” to “Wrap it up”, “Side chick”, and “It’s Mexico somewhere” you know you’re in for a treat. Location: 3300 W Montrose Ave, Chicago IL 60618"

"Such a sweet respite in the middle of our on-going saga of the pandemic; in the middle of a neighborhood; in the middle of the city (Chicago;) in the mid..."

"Buffalo burritos are usually on the naughty list when it comes to eating right. Unless you are eating at this protein-packed Chicago chain, then that burrito is made with vegan Buffalo sauce, all-natural chicken and organic quinoa wrapped in a whole-wheat flax tortilla with under 500 calories."

"Be fast to sample some of the amazing signatures dished prepared by a highly skilled gourmet chef. Select one of the sophisticated meals from the food menu and don’t forget to check out the amazing beverage menu filled with thirst-quenching drinks and wine collection selected from the best boutique wine, the perfect food accompaniment. Reserve a table and come and experience the true meaning of fine dining."

"Restaurants Steakhouse River North. This steakhouse chain's Marina City digs—a Chicago River fixture since 1998—sports all the classics, from prime-aged meat cuts to creamed spinach and truffled mac and cheese. Head to the restaurant's covered patio area for peak river views, or grab a table near the interior's floor-to-ceiling windows."

"Restaurants Contemporary American Little Italy, UIC. We can appreciate the mission that fuels this Douglas Park restaurant: "Make fine dining cuisine and service approachable and fun instead of pretentious and stuffy." Inside the unmarked building, guests are treated to a multi-course experience that's part dinner party, part performance, which makes for a deliciously entertaining night out. Though menu components shift with the seasons, diners can expect to taste the restaurant's playful spin on French fries and ice cream, which is inspired by none other than McDonald's."

"There's no bad seat in El Ideas—every vantage into the tiny space breaks down the fourth wall between chef and diner, allowing guests a front row view of the magician-scientists in the open kitchen. From liquid nitrogen French fries-and-ice-cream to inventive caesar salad (with regular anchovies and romaine, plus caviar and, um, gold leaf). Chef Philip Foss and his team rethink the modernist aesthetic, allowing diners to witness the method and the madness."

"Book a reservation at this fine-dining spot or try its adjacent restaurant Boxcar BBQ for curbside ordering and a more casual night at home."