Best Arts and Culture Places in 31st Street Harbor

"Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions and is certainly not your average pier. Stretching over 3,000-feet into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is packed full of entertainment, offering 50-acres of shops, restaurants, parks, and attractions. Enjoy a ride on the Centennial Wheel that stands prominently in the middle of Pier Park, and there’s often live music, art exhibitions, and firework displays throughout the summer."

"Set where the Chicago Portage enters Lake Michigan, the Navy Pier is a multifaceted visitor attraction extending over the water for six city blocks. As one of the top days out in the Midwest, an attraction of this magnitude is hard to sum up in one paragraph. But in 50 acres you’ll come across the vast multisensory Funhouse Maze and the 65-metre Centennial Wheel, footed by fairground rides and amusements."

"Head over to Navy Pier to go up on the Centennial Ferris Wheel!. A fun way to get an amazing view of Chicago and the lakefront. You can get tickets through the Go Chicago Explorer Pass or check with the Loew’s hotel – they sometimes have specials going where you can get tickets with your stay."

"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."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the biggest contemporary art museums in the world. The MCA's collection focuses on post World War II visual art; works in the collection include pieces by Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Jasper Johns, Kara Walker, and Alexander Calder. The MCA once held the United States debut of Frida Kahlo's exhibit."

"The Beverly Arts Center is a multifaceted space that hosts regular programs on dance, film, theater and music. There is also a gallery space here that presents a rotating and diverse program of visual arts. Past exhibits have included works by local Chicago cartoonists, printmakers, photographers and painters, as well as programs focused on the LGBTQ community."

"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."

"Established in 2002 in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, Kavi Gupta Gallery focuses on presenting exhibitions of international emerging and mid-career artists in all media. The space has received enormous popular and critical responses for its curatorially-focused, project-based and ambitious and innovative programming. Within its two permanent gallery locations, the gallery hosts more than a dozen museum-quality exhibitions each year, while its publishing imprint, Kavi Gupta Editions, produces quality artist books and catalogs."

"Established in 2002, Kavi Gupta Art Gallery focusses on presenting works of international mid-career and emerging artists who have a record with museums in solo shows and biennales, and whose works have been published in important institutional and public collections. Kavi Gupta Art Gallery is divided into two main spaces; including the original gallery and a newly built 8,000 sq. ft exhibition space."

"Kavi Gupta Gallery features the artworks of a long list of artists from different parts of the world. It is owned by gallerist Kavi Gupta. The gallery has multiple exhibition spaces."

"Located on the lakefront just south of Jackson Park, this park has 65 acres of green space and is home to the South Shore Cultural Center, originally built in 1095 as a country club. Today, the center is a historic landmark maintained by the Chicago Park District and offers a large variety of cultural programs, including classes for all ages in culinary arts, music, dance, and visual arts, as well as special events throughout the year. The parkland surrounding the center includes a golf course, acres of green grass dotted with shade trees, a beach, and the South Shore Nature Sanctuary."

"Originally built as the South Shore Country Club, this South Side icon was penned by architects Marshall and Fox in 1905. Purchased by the Chicago Park District in 1975 and renamed as the South Shore Cultural Center, the landmarked Mediterranean Revival building features painstakingly restored historic details, a grandiose ballroom, and golf course. It remains a popular venue for weddings and other large events."

"The South Shore Cultural Center is a great example of what the South Side has to offer. The sprawling landscape surrounding the center features manicured gardens, a golf course, nature paths, a butterfly garden, and picnic areas. Next to the former country club is a wild, overgrown nature preserve with a fire circle and views of Lake Michigan and the city."

"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago is a non-profit with a mission to share the work of outsiders. The center defines an outsider in the art world as "the work of artists who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world, and who instead are motivated by their unique personal vision." Since its inception in 1991, Intuit has become a leader in the field of promoting outsider and intuitive art. The museum's permanent collection, which they began amassing in 2002, has come to include more than 1,1000 works of art."

"Now open This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing."

"But this is America, and if a Chinese restaurant wants to have sushi and kalbi, and it’s good, who are you to stop them?. Besides that mix, follow’s owner Dee Kang’s journey from a Chinese-Korean family to Japan and then Chicago. Dee’s is no secret to Lincoln Park locals, who have kept the place open since 1983."

"It’s only fitting that the Charnley-Persky House is the home of the Society of Architectural Historians since it was designed by Louis Sullivan and his junior draftsman, Frank Lloyd Wright. Guided tours will resume August 7, 2021, and reservations are required. Learn the story of the Charnley-Persky house in Living Landmarks of Chicago"