
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago (must see)
The Chicago Academy of Design was started in a studio on Dearborn Street in 1866. It was a group studio and gallery of 35 artists. The organization of the studio was modeled after European art academies, such as England's Royal Academy. A free school with its gallery was attached to the Academy. The Academy received its charter in 1867.
The Academy building was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Some members of the Academy then founded the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. In 1882 the Academy of Fine Arts changed its name to the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Art Institute building at 111 South Michigan Avenue is a Beaux-Arts creation by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, a successful architecture firm based in Boston. The western entrance of the Institute is guarded by two large bronze lions made by sculptor Edward Kemeys. The lions are often dressed in the jerseys of winning Chicago sports teams. At Christmas time they wear wreaths.
In May 2009, the Art Institute opened its new Modern Wing. This is a 264,000-square-foot annex designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The Modern Wing houses the Institute's early 20th-century European Art represented by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Rene Magritte, etc., and the Bergman Collection of Surrealist Art.
The Academy building was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Some members of the Academy then founded the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. In 1882 the Academy of Fine Arts changed its name to the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Art Institute building at 111 South Michigan Avenue is a Beaux-Arts creation by Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge, a successful architecture firm based in Boston. The western entrance of the Institute is guarded by two large bronze lions made by sculptor Edward Kemeys. The lions are often dressed in the jerseys of winning Chicago sports teams. At Christmas time they wear wreaths.
In May 2009, the Art Institute opened its new Modern Wing. This is a 264,000-square-foot annex designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. The Modern Wing houses the Institute's early 20th-century European Art represented by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Rene Magritte, etc., and the Bergman Collection of Surrealist Art.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Chicago. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Art Institute of Chicago on Map
Sight Name: Art Institute of Chicago
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chicago, USA (See walking tours in Chicago)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chicago, Illinois
Create Your Own Walk in Chicago
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chicago is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chicago Introduction Walking Tour
Sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan in the U.S. State of Illinois, Chicago has had many nicknames throughout its history, including the Windy City, Chi-Town, Second City, and the City of the Big Shoulders referring to the numerous towers and high-risers that punctuate its skyline.
Prior to the Europeans, the area of today's Chicago was successively inhabited by various Native American... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Prior to the Europeans, the area of today's Chicago was successively inhabited by various Native American... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Chicago Navy Pier Walking Tour
Additional to scenic views of the lake, the boats, and the city skyline, the Navy Pier offers a variety of attractions on the waterfront – for kids as well as adults – that draw nearly ten million people annually, making this Chicago's most visited spot. Yes, some may see it as a “tourist trap”, but it is worth the time and money to spend some time here, so take this self-guided walk... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chicago Old Town Walking Tour
Settled in 1850 by German immigrants, Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood is a popular destination for locals and visitors who cater to the entertainment venues, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and boutiques – all of which have turned an area once referred to as the “Cabbage Patch” into an attraction that rivals Navy Pier, Wrigley Field and the Magnificent Mile.
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Start your Old Town walking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Loop District Architecture Walking Tour
Chicago features an outstanding architectural legacy, having long been connected with some of architecture's most important names: Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, Mies van der Rohe, Holabird & Root, and others. The multi-layered Loop District, in particular, offers an extensive number of Chicago’s famous architectural “must-sees” – from modern skyscrapers to historic buildings... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Millennium and Grant Parks Walking Tour
The city of Chicago is renowned for its outdoor green spaces. One such “forever free and open” space, is called Grant Park and was established in 1844. In fact, upon foundation, it was called Lake Park, but was renamed in 1901 after the American Civil War General and United States President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Popularly referred to as “Chicago's front lawn,” this lakefront park is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The Magnificent Mile Walking Tour
The stretch of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River to Lake Shore Drive, otherwise known as the Magnificent Mile, is regarded as one of the world’s great avenues – or Chicago’s version of Fifth Avenue. Take this self-guided walk to explore its whole stretch and surrounding area, featuring a wide selection of amazing stores/malls, world-known museums, restaurants and spectacular... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Chicago Souvenirs: 15 Distinct Local Products to Bring Home
One of the most fascinating cities in the U.S., if not the whole world, Chicago has no shortage of things closely associated with it, often due to their direct origin (blues, gangstership, etc.), so one might literally be spoiled for choice as to what to choose as a "piece" of Chicago to...