Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Grant Park

"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. To encourage more people to visit and visit often, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away."

"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. Now openIn The Magnificent Mile area, Museum of Contemporary Art presents provocative and thought-provoking exhibits by local and global artists. With an emphasis on contemporary works, the museum presents a variety of compelling exhibitions, performances, collections, and educational programs throughout the year."

"From folk art to photography to textiles, the National Museum of Mexican Art capitalizes on its galleries and exhibitions with ongoing and family-friendly events (for instance, during an exhibit about weaving, patrons were invited to learn to crochet to start their own traditions). Family Weekend workshops include all-ages art activities and events throughout the year highlight the Mexican culture, like Day of the Dead Xicágo, the Folk Art Festival and Día del Niño Health Walk and Family Festival."

"The National Museum of Mexican Art, southwest of the Loop, is dedicated to stimulating and preserving knowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture. It is one of the largest collections of Latino art in the nation, and it is also the only Latino institution to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums. The current collection includes more than 5,500 objects."

"When you want a touch of culture during your visit to Chicago, stop by the Museum of Contemporary Photography. This art museum features six photography shows each year, and you can easily get through everything in a couple of hours. You may see noteworthy work from emerging artists or breathtaking archives from the museum’s own collection."

"Established in 1984 by Columbia College in Chicago, the MoCP has become the leading photographic museum in the Midwest. It houses a collection of over 10,000 images dating back to 1936. The MoCP also founded the Midwest Photographers Project, that has the goal to encourage and support emerging artists."

"This museum presents projects and exhibitions focusing on contemporary image-making through both camera and digital forms. Admission is always free."

"Smart Museum of Artart Museum of Art in the University of Chicago campus, Illinois has a permanent collection of over 15,000 items. It is displayed in four permanent exhibition galleries which include Modern art, Asian Art, European Art and Contemporary Art. These collections are also used for academic purposes and are taught at the University."

"The Smart Museum of Art is scheduled to re-open April 8, 2021. These aren’t the only free things to do in Chicago!. Find more in our ultimate guide."

"Intuit: The centre for intuitive and outsider art is the only non-profit organization in the United States that presents intuitive, outsider and contemporary self-taught art. The Henry Darger Collection holds a permanent spot in this gallery, which also features a permanent collection containing more than a thousand artworks. There is a study centre at the gallery: Robert A. Roth Study Center, which conducts educational programs and is open for the public."

"Now open This unique museum, dedicated to work by self-taught artists, has reopened to the public. Intuit has taken several new precautions, including directional signage, reduced touch points, and enhanced sanitation. They’ve even re-installed their exhibition Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen to increase spacing and allow more distancing."

"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features a large number of artworks presenting intuitive and outsider art. They have been featuring various artworks since 1991. Their world-class exhibitions give an opportunity for the public to explore this kind of art."

"The Newberry Library is an independent research library in Chicago's Washington Square. Since 1887, the library has welcomed members of the public for free. The Newberry Library's collection focuses on the humanities, with a special emphasis on topics like the history of Western Europe and the Americas, maps, travel, and music."

"In addition to perusing rare books and manuscripts at the Newberry Library, visitors can experience free exhibitions as well as public programs. Don’t miss this often overlooked gem!"

"Architect/Firm: ​​​​​​​Burnham & Root, 1888 and Frank Lloyd Wright, 1907The Loop The architectural masterpiece originally designed by Burnham & Root in 1888 is one of the most-recognized buildings in the city. Frank Lloyd Wright later re-envisioned its two-story mezzanine with an oriel staircase and glass ceiling to illuminate white marble with gold geometric patterning, which now covers darker, copper-plated ironwork. The commercial office's facade experiments with late Roman, Venetian, Moorish, and medieval-European elements."

"Source: Photo by user Esther Westerveld used under CC BY 2.0. One of the finest building in the United States, the Rookery Building is an absolute architectural treat. The interior light court maximizes the natural light entering the building."

"BridgeportWhen you think of Bridgeport, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn’t nature. And this park (nicknamed “Mount Bridgeport” and formerly known as Stone Quarry) fits right in with a 27-acre site that has transformed itself from quarry to landfill to park. Cruise the crushed stone running path and peep the fishing pond and wetlands as you stroll the grass amidst preserved quarry walls at this neighborhood hidden gem."

"Opened on the site of an old limestone quarry, Palmisano Park unfurls an urban prairie landscape with great views of the Chicago skyline. Locals come here to fish for bluegill in the lagoon in summer and sled the hills in winter. The winding walkways, made of recycled construction debris, are great for a stroll anytime."

"27 acres of wetlands and urban fishing make Palmisano Park a fun place to visit. The park also offers a phenomenal view of Chicago. In winter, it’s a great place to go sledding."

"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."

"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."

"In the heart of Chinatown, Joy Yee is one of the very tastiest restaurants to get all kinds of Chinese cuisine. Located in the Chi’s South Loop district, this place is very popular. Before you hit the bars, you can pre-game and start with some of their shrimp tempura or any of their popular bubble teas, jelly drinks, and freezes."

"Multiple locationsNot for the faint of heart, this chili pepper-flecked pool of bubbling hot broth littered with molten globs of silky tofu and slices of crisp, bright green onions is Chinese comfort food in its purest—and most delicious—form. It’s no wonder this dish helped put Lao Sze Chuan on the map, launching it from a homey Chinatown operation in 1998 to a mini-empire with celebrated outposts across the Midwest.How to order: Dine-in, take-out, and delivery options vary by location."

"Opened in 1998, Lao Sze Chuan has become a Chicago institution with locations in Uptown and Michigan Ave as well as several suburban outposts. Don’t let the rapid growth fool you; LSC hasn't lost a step. Instead, it has drawn raves, including from the Michelin guide, and for a reason."

"Tony Hu’s empire continues to evolve with the offering of unlimited hot pot service at his family of Chinatown restaurants. Hot pots involve boiling broth brought to your table and a selection of raw meats and veggies that eaters submerge into the broth and cook."

"The creamiest of all the bobas, Saints Alps drinks have become one of its main attractions. Although Saints Alps only has basic flavors: Green Tea, Black Tea, Oolong, etc. each one is done well without fail. If you order hot boba for dine-in, they’ll present it in a small tea pot and mug."

"http://www.fabfoodchicago.com/fab-happenings-top-5-bubble-tea-in-chicago/. The Spot: St. Alp is located in Chinatown Square Plaza near Lao Sze Chuan. St. Alp is confusingly named, and the foot-based logo only adds to the confusion."