Visit One of the Country’s Finest Art Museums!

Families visiting Chicago should take advantage of a visit to the Art Institute, not only one of the country’s finest art museums, but also one of the most kid-friendly major art museums on the planet.

Not sure if your child is a budding artist or art connoisseur?  No stress.  Kids under 14 can visit the museum for free, every day of the year.  Start your visit to the museum at the Ryan Education Center’s Vitale Family Room, located on the first level of the Modern Wing.  The Family Room features hands-on activities to get little ones interested in art including puzzles that duplicate artwork in the galleries, blocks, stories and games.   An online Curious Corner offers even more games and activities for the youngest set.

Once you are ready to get moving in the museum, you can take advantage of the family self-guide that will help you navigate yourself throughout the museum, featuring tips, facts, and interesting information that will help keep your little ones interested.  A kid-friendly audio guide is available for an additional fee.  The audio tour is specifically designed for young kids age 5-10 and takes kids on 32 specifically designed stops in the museum helping to keep them involved and intrigued by the artwork.

While you are visiting, make sure to visit some of their incredible permanent and revolving exhibitions.  The museum houses more than 260,000 works of art including the artwork of numerous Chicagoan artists are displayed such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Edward Hopper, most famous for his iconic Chicago diner picture, Nighthawks.  The museum displays a large collection of impressionist art and French impressionism pieces including 30 works by Claude Monet, a few Van Gogh pieces, and also notable works by Renoir. African American collections, mythology themes, and numerous portraits, including over 100 by Andy Warhol, also dominate the collection.

Four on-site dining options allow for plenty of flexibility including grab-and-go items, casual restaurants, and even fine dining.

Feeling artsy enough to book some discount airfare to Chicago?

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photo: arndog