Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Bellwood

"Description: The MCA was the first project in the United States by Josef Paul Kleihues, the German architect behind Berlin’s reconstruction after the fall of Berlin Wall. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago opened its doors in 1996 with an exposition of Frida Kahlo, the first in the US!. Don’t miss a remarkable aspect of the museum: the stairwell."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is one of the biggest contemporary art museums in the world. The MCA's collection focuses on post World War II visual art; works in the collection include pieces by Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Jasper Johns, Kara Walker, and Alexander Calder. The MCA once held the United States debut of Frida Kahlo's exhibit."

"$15, $8 seniors, students and teachers, free members and age 18 and under; advanced registration required. Family Days on the second Saturday of each month give parents and kids an opportunity to dive into art using different mediums. The program has continued online during the pandemic."

"This accredited museum in the Pilsen area is dedicated to preserving and facilitating knowledge about Latino life and history. Exhibits focus on Mexican culture as it's represented in the US and in Mexico, and the permanent collection includes folk art, ephemera, sculpture, textiles and drawings. Performing arts are also featured and the center hosts special events throughout the year to advance the museum's objectives."

"Geared toward children 4 to 12, the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood offers a 10,000-piece permanent collection that showcases the richness of Mexican art and culture. Highlights include bilingual camps, art classes, and family-centric gallery tours. A post shared by National Museum of Mexican Art (@explorenmma) on Oct 18, 2017 at 7:56am PDT"

"Families will adore the colorful National Museum of Mexican Art located in the heart of Pilsen. With five galleries to explore, kids and parents won’t feel rushed to see everything and can view the exhibits at their own pace. Even if you don’t see everything you wanted, admission to the museum is free, so a return visit can be planned."

"Museum of Contemporary Photography dedicates art spaces for photography masterpieces. It is an international hub for all photography artists and enthusiasts Furthermore, various ideas and dialogues are generated and provoked in the gallery. Students, artists, and guests are given the opportunity to experience groundbreaking exhibitions."

"The small but mighty Museum of Contemporary Photography has a permanent collection. Many works such as old photographs, contemporary works, a large Dorothea Lange collection are in this museum. Farm Security Administration photos from the same period are the hidden gem of this place."

"Admission is free year-round at the Museum of Contemporary Photography. All visitors must reserve a free timed ticket. Dates are subject to change and may not include fees to view special exhibits."

"The Smart Museum is small, free, an easy and engaging place to museums in Chicago. It’s easily accessible by public transit and there is a parking garage nearby. Exhibitions, which rotate, are really tremendous, tending towards the avant-garde but including the historical and always celebrating the vast diversity of the art world."

"The David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago's campus. The Smart Museum has a permanent collection with more than 15,000 objects, ranging from modern art to Asian art to contemporary art to European art. The galleries are rehung each year."

"The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is a modern art museum in Chicago's Ukrainian village. The UIMA, founded in 1971, hosts exhibits, book readings, film screenings, recitals, and theater. The UIMA has been a fixture in its neighborhood for more than 40 years and is one of 25 members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance."

"The Water Tower Place-based family-friendly gallery serves as dedicated space for Dr. Seuss's artwork. Visitors may view the various collections--which include sculptures, illustrated art and "secret" art--and have the option to buy. Some of the works have never been exhibited before."

"From their humble beginnings in a mall food court, the team at Jeong is now running one of the city’s hottest fine dining spots. Dave Park and Jennifer Tran caught the attention of critics and locals with Hanbun, their Korean fast-food stall in a suburban food court. The food was so good, it earned Park his first James Beard nomination for Rising Star Chef of the Year."

"Jeong is a fairly new addition to Chicago, only opening in 2019, but the restaurant has proven itself an immediate success. Chef Dave Park draws on his childhood favorites to create this fine-dining Korean cuisine experience. There is obvious care in these dishes, and some, like the Kanpachi Rosettecan only be described as beautiful."

"There are several fantastic dim sum places in Chinatown, but Cai has one of the biggest selections of authentic dishes available in the city. Located on the second floor of the complex, the restaurant encapsulates the classic dim sum atmosphere – chaotic, loud, and full of clinking plates. A few carts still make rounds, but the majority of ordering is done from an illustrated menu full of glass wrapper dumplings, steamed ribs, radish cakes, and other delicious dishes."

"has one of the biggest selections of authentic dishes available in the city. Located on the second floor of the complex, the restaurant encapsulates the classic dim sum atmosphere – chaotic, loud, and full of clinking plates. A few carts still make rounds, but the majority of ordering is done from an illustrated menu full of glass wrapper dumplings, steamed ribs, radish cakes, and other delicious dishes."

"The specialty of TAO Chicago is that the second floor is the windy city’s hottest nightclubs with an amazing atmosphere, whereas the first floor features one of its top Asian restaurants. Hence, once you’re done dancing your heart out at the club, you can step down for a hearty meal of lobster wontons, Peking duck, and more. Besides the disco ball and towering murals, a 10-feet-tall Japanese bell will grab your attention."

"Tao Chicago opened with great fanfare in 2018, revealing an astonishing reimagining of a circa-1892 landmark in River North. The historic property, with its stone structure and arc..."

"An outpost of the New York City original, TAO is a large two-level space with four private dining rooms and a large bar. Daybed sofas abound and the eclectic lounge is a perfect bl..."

"In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a dumpling, whether it be a crispy potsticker, a plump and juicy soup dumpling, or even a crunchy-on-the-outside, creamy-on-the-inside Crab Rangoon. The menu here is filled with such delights (especially the dim sum). Boiled Shrimp, Pork and Chive Dumplings might not be kosher (!!!) but you won’t be able to get enough of them, likewise the Shanghai-Style Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings."

"Explore all 60 acres of Chicago’s historic Sherman Park on the city’s South Side. A big, circular ring-like pond encompasses the whole park, so you will never be far from views of the water. This historic park offers multiple baseball fields, a tennis court, and a basketball court."