Chicago, IL

Art Institute of Chicago
DESCRIPTION: One of the great art museums of the world, AIC presents vast permanent collections spanning more than 5,000 years of artistic expression from all corners of the globe; see rare paintings, sculptures, photographs, textiles, architectural drawings and fragments in the subject areas of African, American, Ancient, Architecture, Asian, European Renaissance, Indian, Miniature, Photography, Prints & Drawings, and Textiles; permanent collections are complemented by a year-round schedule of touring exhibitions; presents popular lectures, performances, symposia, and arranges travel; in 2006 it hosted a major exhibit in honor of Gordon Parks; the exhibits of Native American warriors are breath-taking and the site includes a renown school of art, making it an institution, not just a museum make a day of it when you visit The Garden Café which offers sustainable, local, and seasonal ingredients in a deli station; Terzo Piano was named one of the city's best new restaurants by Chicago magazine, it features authentic Italian ingredients and cuisine
ADMISSION: Adults $18, Children, Students with ID & Seniors $12; Age 14 and under enter Free; enter FREE on Thursdays 5p-9p
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Wed 10:30a-4:30p,
 Thu-Fri 10:30a-8p, 
Sat-Sun 10p-5p
ADDRESS: 111 South Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: East Monroe Street, Millennium Park and Grant Park North garages
TRANSIT: Adams-Wabash CTA Station, Madison-Wabash CTA Station, Chicago-Randolph Metra Station
PHONE: 312-443-3600
WEBSITE: http://www.artic.edu

Chicago Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Formerly the Chicago Central Library until it moved to the Harold Washington Library; the permanent collection Perspectives in African-American Art is frequently accompanied by rotating exhibits, including those like the Afrocentric Hair Stories; the restored and world's largest Louis Comfort Tiffany Dome makes exhibition space in the center all the more stunning - lots of eye candy
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 10a-7p, Fri-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 78 East Washington Street  MAP
PARKING: paid garage under Millennium Park across the street
TRANSIT: Randolph-Wabash CTA Station, Madison-Wabash CTA Station, Chicago-Randolph Metra Station
PHONE: 312-744-6630
WEBSITE: link

Chicago History Museum
DESCRIPTION: the museum's collection of 22 million artifacts and documents is a rich source for the study and fun reflection on the history of Chicago; with that many artifacts and exhibits, you'll be pleased to know its collection is organized in 5 major areas: Living in the Metropolitan Area, Working in the Metropolitan Area, Governing the Metropolitan Area, The Built Environment, Individuals and Ideas in the Metropolitan Area; the museum's research institute has a well catalogued list of manuscripts and artificats for study; most visitors however, simply enjoy the large multi-dimensional displays that change each season; visit North & Clark Café for breakfast or lunch via soups, salads, sandwiches, items from the grill  or a cup of coffee on their family-budget menu and enjoy Free Wi-Fi
ADMISSION: audio tours included, Adults $14, Age 65+ and Age 13-22 w/Student ID $12, Free for Age 12 and younger without the audio tour; FREE on Mondays
DAYS & HOURS: Mon–Sat 9:30a–4:30p, Sun Noon–5p
ADDRESS: 1601 North Clark Street  MAP
PARKING: paid lot at corner of Stockton and LaSalle Streets
TRANSIT: near Segwick CTA Station, Brown & Purple Lines
PHONE: 312-642-4600
WEBSITE: http://chicagohistory.org

Museum of Contemporary Photography
DESCRIPTION: Originally founded in 1976, then reborn in 1984 under its current name; a stimulating forum for the collection, creation, and interpretation of contemporary photography and its expanded digital processes; always seems to have a major traveling exhibit in house; when an exhibit catches your eye, you can lose yourself for an hour
ADMISSION: free, but donation suggested
DAYS & HOURS: Mon–Wed, Fri 10a-5p, Thu 10a-8p, Sat 10a-5p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 600 South Michigan Ave inside Columbia College Chicago  MAP
PARKING: paid garages nearby
TRANSIT: near Harrison CTA Station and Van Buren Metra Station
PHONE: 312-663-5554
WEBSITE: http://www.mocp.org

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
DESCRIPTION: Explore the multifaceted Jewish experience through an ongoing exhibit on Jewish Chicago, public programs, collections, research facilities and decorative art; view contemporary art from Spertus collections and learn about the Spertus Silver-LEED certified building's unique architecture in a free self-guided tour of its artwork
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Thu-Sun 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 618 South Michigan Ave  MAP
PARKING: $10 with Spertus validation at The Essex Inn on 8th Street & Michigan Ave or $8 parking discount at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Ave
TRANSIT: near Harrison CTA Station, Van Buren Metra Station
PHONE: 312-322-1700
WEBSITE: http://www.spertus.edu

Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1967, the current MCA building was opened in 1996; the simple and functional elegance of its space attracts many touring modern art exhibits so its wise to check the calendar on their website; a very nice touch includes a terraced outdoor sculpture garden – a great place to sip coffee and read a book purchased from the museum store; the delightful Puck’s Café with occasional lunch time music, a 15,000-volume art library, an intimate 300-seat theater for small performance spaces nicely round out one of America's best contemporary art museums
ADMISSION: Adults $10, Students with ID & Seniors $6, FREE on Target Tuesdays
DAYS & HOURS: Tue 10a-8p, Wed-Sun 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 220 East Chicago Ave  MAP
PARKING: non-members receive a $3 discount in the MCA garage
TRANSIT: near Chicago-Red CTA Station
PHONE: 312-280-2660
WEBSITE: http://www.mcachicago.org

Clarke House Museum
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1836 for Henry B. Clarke, the Clarke House Museum is Chicago's oldest house and features admission-based and free tours; it began at a time when family members could see the campfires of Native Americans in the distance and shows you an example of early Midwest middle-class likestyle
ADMISSION: Adults $10, Students with ID & Seniors $9, Ages 5-12 $6, Ages 5 and under enter Free
DAYS & HOURS: guided tours Wed-Sun Noon and 2p
ADDRESS: 1827 South Indiana Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street
TRANSIT: near 18th Street Metra Station
PHONE: 312-326-1480
WEBSITE: http://www.clarkehousemuseum.org