SAIC - Chicago Our Campus: Museums - School of the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago

artic.edu/aic
111 S. Michigan Ave.
312.443.3600

Our sister institution and one of the world's great museums. Free for SAIC students every day.

Adler Planetarium

adlerplanetarium.org
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312.922.STAR

America's first planetarium. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Chicago Architecture Foundation

architecture.org
224 S. Michigan Ave.
312.922.3432

Highly recommended architecture tours, both on land and water. Great store for design gifts.

Chicago Botanic Garden and Galleries

chicagobotanic.org
1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL
(Glencoe stop on the Metra commuter rail)
847.835.5440

Twenty different gardens set on nearly 400 acres create living galleries—free.

Chicago Children's Museum

chicagochildrensmuseum.org
At Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave.
312.527.1000

Great place to take your cousins, kids, or small friends.

Chicago Cultural Center

explorechicago.org/chicagoculturalcenter
78 E. Washington St.
312.744.6630

Art on display here, both the building itself and in its galleries. There are also a number of theaters and concert halls inside the building that feature continuous performances and exhibitions.

Columbia College Center for Book and Paper Arts

bookandpaper.org
1104 S. Wabash Ave., 2nd floor
312.344.6630

An amazing facility for people who are interested in paper and books. Letterpress, papermaking, hand bookbinding, wonderful innovative exhibitions are on display in the gallery spaces.

Du Sable Museum of African American History

dusablemuseum.org
740 E. 56th Pl.
773.947.0600

Co-founded in 1961 by teacher, art historian, and SAIC alumna Dr. Margaret Burroughs. Developed to preserve and interpret the experiences and achievements of people of African descent. Students $7, $5 Chicago residents.

East Garfield Park Conservatory

garfieldconservatory.org
300 N. Central Park Ave.
312.746.5100

Field Museum of Natural History

fieldmuseum.org
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312.922.9410

$15, $12 Students

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Foundation

wrightplus.org
951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL
708.848.1976

Besides the home and studio, there are many great examples of the work of one of Chicago's most famous architects right in the same neighborhood.

Instituto Cervantes

chicago.cervantes.es
31 W. Ohio St.
312.335.1996

Spanish language and cultural center, inaugurated by King Juan Carlos of Spain. All levels of language classes, film screenings, lectures, exhibitions, wine tastings, and comprehensive library.

Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory

lpzoo.org
2200 N. Cannon Dr.
312.742.2000, ext. 200

(Conservatory)
2400 N. Stockton Dr.
312.742.7736

It's wonderful to walk around and feel like you're not in the middle of a very busy city. And it's free!

Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA)

luc.edu
820 N. Michigan Ave.
312.915.7600

Martin D'Arcy Collection at LUMA

luc.edu/luma/collections/collections_martindarcy.html
6525 N. Sheridan Rd.
773.508.2679

Mexican Cultural and Educational Institute

702 N. Wells St.
312.255.1556

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum

nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
1852 W. 19th St.
312.738.1503

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

mcachicago.org
220 E. Chicago Ave.
312.280.2660

Lectures, performances, readings, and exhibits that go beyond the visual arts. The theater presents international music, alternative performances, interesting lectures. Free with SAIC ID.

Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College

mocp.org
600 S. Michigan Ave.
312.344.7104

Free admission

Museum of Science and Industry

msichicago.org
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.
773.684.1414

One of the most popular museums in the world, and the first to offer interactive displays. Admission is $13 for Chicago residents.

Oriental Institute Museum, University of Chicago

oi.uchicago.edu
1155 E. 58th St.
773.702.9514

Renaissance Society

renaissancesociety.org
5811 S. Ellis Ave., room 418
773.702.8670

Internationally renowned for cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions. Well worth the trip.

Shedd Aquarium

sheddaquarium.org
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312.939.2438

Largest indoor aquarium in the world with a recently renovated oceanarium. Admission is $28.95.

Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago

smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
5550 S. Greenwood Ave.
773.702.0200