Free Museums in West Loop

"Get a little bold and adventurous at the Museum of Contemporary Art, located just one block east of historic Water Tower Placeon The Magnificent Mile. Browse the museum’s permanent collection, which includes more than 2,500 works, displayed in rotation, spanning media and movements from the 1920s to the present. Over the summer, Tuesdays on the Terrace brings you free, live jazz in the museum gardens, while morning visitors are greeted with weekly farmer’s markets at the museum’s monumental front steps."

"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."

"$15, $8 seniors, students and teachers, free members and age 18 and under; advanced registration required. Family Days on the second Saturday of each month give parents and kids an opportunity to dive into art using different mediums. The program has continued online during the pandemic."

"The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago is home to more than 5,000 pieces by Mexican, Latino, and Chicano artists. It is considered the largest Latino cultural institution in the United States and the only Latino museum to have received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. The National Museum of Mexican Art is perhaps best known for its annual Día de los Muertos exhibit."

"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."

"As buildings continually go up, nature gets pinched, so a visit to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an ideal respite from the concrete landscape. Explore the region's only year-round butterfly sanctuary where as many as 40 species of native and exotic butterflies flutter. Get the news about the ooze at Mysteries of the Marsh."

"Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is one of the top things to do in Chicago with kids. Located in Lincoln Park museum, this is a great museum that creates hands-on experiences for the kids to enjoy themselves as well as learn something along the way. The museum is an informative curation of Illinois’ natural history and ecology."

"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."

"Get a little bold and adventurous at the Museum of Contemporary Art, located just one block east of historic Water Tower Placeon The Magnificent Mile. Browse the museum’s permanent collection, which includes more than 2,500 works, displayed in rotation, spanning media and movements from the 1920s to the present. Over the summer, Tuesdays on the Terrace brings you free, live jazz in the museum gardens, while morning visitors are greeted with weekly farmer’s markets at the museum’s monumental front steps."

"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."

"$15, $8 seniors, students and teachers, free members and age 18 and under; advanced registration required. Family Days on the second Saturday of each month give parents and kids an opportunity to dive into art using different mediums. The program has continued online during the pandemic."

"Park in the West Loop, Mako is an exclusive omakase restaurant that touts just 12 seats, with an additional 10 seats in the back. “Mako is an evolution of Juno [in Lincoln Park],” says Park. “It allows our customers to enjoy what we create in a more intimate way that’s a bit more upscale and special occasion.” Intimate and truly reminiscent of Japan’s best sushi eateries, Mako’s 25-course menu (which sets you back $175) comes with a satisfying array of BK favorites — including sashimi, nigiri, king crab with uni miso, A5 wagyu, arctic char, and aka anago (sake marinated saltwater eel)."

"This small 22-seat sushi restaurant offers a single menu with up to 25 courses and two seating options, either the sushi bar or a table. Book now, as this hot, new spot only takes a few reservations per night."

"Chicagoans think Umai is so delicious, that within a few years, a second location opened. At both locations, the menu is large, from sushi and creative sushi rolls to beef tongue grilled over charcoal and of course, the foods of the hour, ramen and poke. If you are looking for something quick and filling, Katsu Kare, pork cutlets or shrimp tempura on Japanese curry over rice is a favorite Japanese college kids and businessmen."

"#umaichicago #japanesefood #eattheworld #chefstalk #foodandwine... Umai restaurant has been in the business for a while having been started by experienced Chef Mai in 2013. It has since then become a crowd favourite joint for the best traditional Japanese foods with a mix of modernity."

"A chic but warm South Loop spot, UMAI Japanese Kitchen & Sushi offers inventive sushi and globally influenced Japanese cuisine for relatively reasonable prices. The full menu is av..."

"Photo courtesy of Andersonville Chamber of Commerce for First Slice Pie Café. Located in Andersonville, Manor, Evanston and Ravenswood, First Slice Pie Cafe specializes in hearty soups and sandwiches plus homey baked goods made from scratch. Another treat is knowing that a portion of its proceeds benefit the needy and homeless because the cafes are self-funded charities."