Visit | The Art Institute of Chicago (original) (raw)
VISIT
Hours
Members: The first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for member-only viewing.
Hours the museum is open each day
| | Days | Hours | | ------- | ------ | | Mon | 11–5 | | Tue–Wed | Closed | | Thu | 11–8 | | Fri–Sun | 11–5 |
Location
Admission
Types of admissions to visit the museum
| | Category | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | General Admission General admission includes access to the museum and all nonticketed exhibitions. | | Chicago Residents Proof of Chicago residence—valid ID, lease, bill, or other mail—is required. | | Illinois Residents Proof of Illinois residence—valid ID, lease, bill, or other mail—is required. | | Fast Pass Fast Pass allows visitors to bypass the general admission lines at entrances and offers expedited access to ticketed special exhibitions. | | CityPASS |
General admission includes access to the museum and all nonticketed exhibitions.
Proof of Chicago residence—valid ID, lease, bill, or other mail—is required.
Proof of Illinois residence—valid ID, lease, bill, or other mail—is required.
Fast Pass allows visitors to bypass the general admission lines at entrances and offers expedited access to ticketed special exhibitions.
Admission costs for visits to the museum
| | Age group | Price | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----- | | Adult $32 | | | Seniors (65+) $26 | | | Students $26 | | | Teens (14-17) $26 | | | Children Free | | | Members Free | | | Adult $20 | | | Seniors (65+) $14 | | | Students $14 | | | Teens (14-17) Free | | | Children Free | | | Members Free | | | Adult $27 | | | Seniors (65+) $21 | | | Students $21 | | | Teens (14-17) $21 | | | Children Free | | | Members Free | | | Adult $40 | | | Seniors (65+) $34 | | | Students $34 | | | Teens (14-17) $34 | | | Children Free | | | Members Free | | | Save 48% on admission to the Art Institute and 4 other top Chicago attractions with CityPASS. Visit the attractions in any order over a 9-day period with one single easy-to-order mobile ticket. Get CityPASS | |
Free Admission Opportunities: The Art Institute of Chicago provides free access to children under 14, Chicago teens under 18, Link and WIC cardholders, and Illinois educators every day, as well as to Illinois residents on certain days throughout the year. Learn more.
Free admission for Illinois residents is supported by Health Care Service Corporation.
Members never need tickets and never have to wait in admission lines.
Rare Viewing Opportunity
The Great Wave has not been on view in the Art Institute galleries for five years because, like all prints, it is susceptible to light damage and must rest a minimum of five years between showings to preserve its colors and vibrance. Don’t miss the rare chance to see this popular print—on view now through January 6, 2025.
Please note that during busier times, a virtual line will be used for The Great Wave. Simply scan the QR code when you arrive at the gallery.
Plan Your Visit
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Museum Map Take a look at our museum floor plan to get a sense of the museum's layout and mark any must-see spaces. Get oriented -
Free Daily Tours Follow a knowledgeable guide through the galleries on a free tour, offered in English every day at 1:00 and 3:00 and in Spanish on Fridays and Saturdays at 2:00. See starting locations -
What to See in an Hour Experience some of the museum’s most iconic works by accessing self-guided tours, like What to See in an Hour, on your phone. Tour on your own -
My Museum Tour Build your very own self-guided museum tour with the works you love. Get started -
Ryan Learning Center Enjoy creative activities in this space, Thursdays–Mondays, 11:00–3:00, including making a custom museum tour with JourneyMaker. Get creative -
Exhibitions Be sure to catch the many special exhibitions on view during your visit. See all exhibitions -
Visitor Policies These guidelines support a welcoming environment for all our visitors to experience the art in our galleries. Learn more -
Dining and Shopping Grab a bite at one of our cafés and be sure to pick up a souvenir of your visit at one of two store locations. View options -
Accessibility The Art Institute offers a range of resources and programs designed for adults and children with disabilities. Learn more
Who's Visiting?
Ordering advance tickets, including free tickets for Illinois residents, is encouraged but not required. Tickets can be purchased on-site.
Both general admission and Fast Pass tickets allow you to see all of the museum’s nonticketed special exhibitions. Occasionally, exhibitions require an additional paid ticket that you can add to your order when checking out online.
We have two dining spaces that are open to all visitors: the Café offers an array of fresh seasonal dishes, including sandwiches, salads, and desserts, and the Modern Bar offers lighter fare plus a full coffee, tea, and beverage menu.
Additionally, the Member Bar at Terzo Piano, a space for our Art Institute members, provides free coffee and tea as well as wine, beer, cocktails, and light snacks for purchase. Learn more about our dining options.
Admission is currently free for Illinois residents on Thursday evenings, 5:00–8:00, through September 26, 2024.
Our next free hours for Illinois residents will be the following days:
-Monday, October 21, 11:00–5:00
-Monday, October 28, 11:00–5:00
-Monday, November 4, 11:00–5:00
-Monday, November 11 (Veterans Day), 11:00–5:00
-Friday, November 22, 11:00–5:00
-Monday, December 2, 11:00–5:00
-Thursday, December 5, 11:00–8:00
-Friday, December 6, 11:00–5:00
-Monday, December 9, 11:00–5:00
-Thursday, December 12, 11:00–8:00
-Friday, December 13, 11:00–5:00
Learn more about our ongoing free admission opportunities, including for the following groups:
-Kids under 14
-Chicago teens under 18
-Students who attend one of our University Partner schools
-LINK and WIC cardholders
-Illinois educators
-Active-duty military and their families (Armed Services Day–Labor Day)
Yes, our checkrooms are free for all visitors. Bags and backpacks larger than 13 x 17 x 4 inches are not allowed in the galleries and must be checked, but we cannot accept food, beverages, flowers, or balloons in the checkroom, and they are not permitted in the museum spaces that house art. Learn more about which items are and are not permitted in the museum.
The museum’s North and South Gardens are usually open throughout the summer months, Thursday–Monday, during museum hours. The gardens regularly close for major special events that bring increased crowds downtown, such as the NASCAR Street Race, Lollapalooza, and the Democratic National Convention.
Find all the information you need—plus helpful tips—to plan your visit Start planning 
Explore the works in our collection and delve deeper into their stories. Start your discovery