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
ADMISSION: Adults $12, Children, Students with ID & Seniors $7; enter FREE on Thu-Fri 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 and buses on Michigan Avenue
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 and buses on Michigan Avenue
PHONE: 312-744-6630
WEBSITE: link

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 here, you can lose yourself for a couple hours
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: Harrison CTA Station, Van Buren Metra Station and buses on Michigan Ave
PHONE: 312-663-5554
WEBSITE: http://www.mocp.org

Spertus Museum at Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
DESCRIPTION: Explore the multifaceted Jewish experience through innovative exhibitions, collections, research facilities and decorative art; touring exhibits range for Jewish specific to other artistic works that touch all people; features a number of engaging exhibits that change; a Wolfgang Puck restaurant is on the premises
ADMISSION: Adults $7, Students & Seniors $5, Age 5 & under Free
DAYS & HOURS: Sun-Wed 10a-5p,
 Thu 10a-7p,
 Fri 10a-3p
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: Harrison CTA Station, Van Buren Metra Station and buses on Michigan Ave
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; Puck’s Café, a 15,000-volume art library, a 300-seat theater and smaller performance spaces nicely round out the MCA
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  on-premises MCA garage
TRANSIT: Chicago-Red CTA Station, walk 4 blocks east
PHONE: 312-280-2660
WEBSITE: http://www.mcachicago.org

Chicago History Museum
DESCRIPTION: The place to visit for a broad perspective of the city, including its Gangsters Era; in a refreshing departure from the norm, the historical society who operates the museum, makes bold attempts to be inclusive of African American historical contributions; in fact, they have featured a tremendous traveling exhibit on The Birth of Gospel Music, of course the exhibit gave Thomas A. Dorsey his props
ADMISSION: Adults $14 with audio tours, Age65+ $12 with audio tours,
Students Age 13–22 with ID $12 with audio tours, Age 12 and below FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Wed 9:30a-4:30p, Thu 9:30a-8p, Fri-Sat 9:30a-4:30p, Sun Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 1601 North Clark Street  MAP
PARKING: paid garages on premises
TRANSIT: Segwick CTA Station, walk 4 blocks east
PHONE: 312-642-4600
WEBSITE: http://chicagohistory.org