Art Galleries • Architectural Buildings
Downtown / The Loop
THE 10 BEST Chicago Art Galleries
Art Galleries in Chicago
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71 places sorted by traveller favourites
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
Grant Park
Art Galleries • Theatres
Far Southwest Side
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Art Galleries • Art Museums
Grant Park
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Hyde Park
Art Galleries
Near North Side
Art Galleries • Speciality Museums
South Shore
Art Galleries
North Side
Art Galleries
Douglas
Art Galleries
Downtown / The Loop
Art Galleries • Art Museums
Grand Boulevard
What travellers are saying
- Von1287Albany, NY712 contributionsPretty amazing. Walking into this building felt like walking into a European site! Beautiful staircase that leads to an amazing glass dome with lots of history. We really enjoyed this quick stop.Written 3 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Taylor BChicago, IL8,132 contributionsMy wife and I have browsed the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago on previous occasions. But after seeing the display of the Thorne collection at the Phoenix Art Museum during our recent two-week vacation in Arizona, we decided to make another visit to larger Thorne collection in Chicago. It is an exhibit unlike any other, a child's dream. Thorne Miniature Rooms are a set of about 100 miniature models of rooms created between 1932 and 1940 under the direction of Narcissa Niblack Thorne, who was born in 1882 in Vincennes, Indiana. As a child, she began to collect miniature furniture and household accessories. Her uncle, a U.S. Navy vice admiral, sent her many antique dollhouse miniatures from around the world. When she was 19, she married Montgomery Ward department store heir James Ward Thorne, whose fortune helped to finance her hobby. Ninety-nine of the rooms are still believed to be in existence. The majority of them, a total of 68, are on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, located at 111 South Michigan Avenue. We saw 20 of them at the Phoenix Art Museum. The Art Institute's rooms document European and American interiors from the late 13th century to the 1930s and the 17th century to the 1930s, respectively. Constructed on a 1:12 scale, the rooms are largely made of the same materials as full-sized rooms and some even include original works of art, including paintings and sculpture, silver bowls and crystal chandeliers. They are among the most popular attractions at the Art Institute with an authentic appearance and attention to detail that boggles the mind.Written 20 November 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Barbara NYCNew York City, NY5 contributionsWrightwood 659 has four floors of beautifully designed exhibition spaces. Contemporary art shines in the warm, spacious galleries. I used the handsome staircases, which offered birds eye views of the next art I was about to see. Not too big and not too small, Wrightwood 659 is perfect for an afternoon of art appreciation.Written 29 February 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rolf AChicago, IL460 contributionsThough it's many miles from downtown Chicago, this node of culture is well worth a visit for fine arts exhibits but also for its film programming that often accompanies a current exhibition.Written 17 March 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rolf AChicago, IL460 contributionsThis show was a superb opportunity to see how van Gogh saw the same room three times in three pictures from three widely dispersed museums in one place. This type of multiple viewing in one place is usually restricted to art books or Pinterest. To see the real things is a superb treat.Written 14 August 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Yessita OppugnoChicago, IL77 contributionsA good place to explore artworks from all over the world. They have interesting exhibitions and events to meet the artists and discuss their work. It’s a very good choice to know the beautiful buildings of the University of Chicago while also seeing hidden jewels of art.Written 15 February 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- David MDayton, OH28 contributionsExtraordinary collection and exhibits of nature prints for sale, mostly of John Audubon, but also of others. A must-visit in-person kind of place.Written 4 July 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Taylor BChicago, IL8,132 contributionsWicker Park, by any standard, is one of the fastest rising and most enterprising of Chicago's neighborhoods. And the central hub of Wicker Park is the Flat Iron Arts Building. Located at 1579 North Milwaukee Avenue, at the busy intersection of Milwaukee, North Avenue and Damen Avenue, it was built in 1918 as an office building but was converted in the late 1960s to an all artist studio building, an artists colony that features visual art, musicians of all disciplines, tattoo shops, costume design, film-makers and other genres of art. It also is host to arts festivals, performances and open studio events. With its distinctive white and black terra cotta surface, it is the dominant feature of Wicker Park's main crossroads. And its rooftop deck offers visitors a splendid view of Chicago's skyline. If that isn't enough, every first Friday of the month artists open their studio doors to the pubic and the building is transformed into one big party scene.Written 7 October 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- NIOSHAKKansas City, KS22 contributionsYou don't wanna miss this as Chicago is one of the most architecturally beautiful places I've ever seen. A lot of history and it was FREE.Written 3 February 2014This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stephanie CMundelein, IL1,408 contributionsThe Arts Club
We were invited for a sponsor appreciation night, and were excited because we had never been here before. It’s a wonderful place to come see art exhibits, and have a drink or eat in the restaurant. The apps they passed during the cocktail reception were delicious! Very classy and elegant location, if you are lucky enough to be invited by a member.Written 19 August 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Alek B20 contributionsAnn Nathan Gallery is located in River North district of Chicago. This gallery is one of the oldest if not the oldest figurative and representational art gallery in Chicago. Victor, who is the assistant director there, is a very knowledgable and patient person easy to work withWritten 6 September 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Neta_AviviTel Aviv, Israel3,546 contributionsWhen I visited, Carl Hammer Gallery displayed "Celebrating Our 40th Year" exhibition. I loved the diverse art work. I recommend visiting and checking out the various art pieces.Written 10 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Aiko29835 contributionsMy husband and I were in town and stopped by to see the exhibit about the Japanese internment camps. The exhibit is very well done and the staff are informative and friendly.Written 7 September 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- kmz88Plon, Germany369 contributionsIt is a nice small museum. It has a 2 halls with modern art displays for artists with Ukrainian heritage. I particularly liked the "kinetic" sculptures. I think it's free, but a donation/ticket of $5 per person is expected. Worth it.Written 12 September 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Diane KVenice, FL3,827 contributionsWe thoroughly enjoyed visiting this art gallery when the Jaume Plensa exhibit was on display in August 2014. Plensa is the artist that created the Crown Fountain in Millennium Park in Chicago. What was very special was that it was free to visit and you could see a variety of his work. We were the only ones there at the time - and picture taking was allowed. Check out the website to see what exhibit is on currently. It is typically open (for free) during the week during business hours.Written 10 July 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicago
- These places are best for art galleries in Chicago:
- Chicago Cultural Center
- Wrightwood 659
- Thorne Miniature Rooms
- Beverly Arts Center
- Stony Island Arts Bank