Best Arts and Culture Places in Downtown Chicago

We've collected top 10 mentioned arts and culture places in Downtown Chicago from other articles such as Thrillist, Leisure Pass Group, ArchDaily.

Best Arts and Culture Places in Downtown Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
4.8 (23445 ratings)5 (22413 ratings)
Renowned art museum holding nearly 300,000 works from all over the world, spanning many centuries.
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
MuseumArt museum
Navy Pier
Navy Pier
4.6 (50660 ratings)4 (13593 ratings)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks.
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Sights & LandmarksAmusement centerCultural centerEvent venuePiers & BoardwalksTheme Parks
Mentioned by Tripster Travel Guide
11 Entertaining Things to Do in Chicago with Toddlers
"As one of the most visited tourist spots in Chicago, Navy Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions designed just for kids, including:. With so many things to do in one spot, plan to spend at least half a day at Navy Pier to get the full experience and give your toddler a chance to explore. Navy Pier also hosts an assortment of events and festivals year-round."
Mentioned by Attractions of America
Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Chicago, Illinois
"Navy Pier combines everything you could ever hope for in an area of a city you're visiting, and it has placed it right on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are shops, places to eat, boat tours, mini golf and a Ferris wheel. You might also find the Children's Museum of interest if you're there with family."
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
4.5 (4061 ratings)4 (792 ratings)
Downtown museum showcasing post-World War II paintings, sculptures, photos, videos & performances.
220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Modern art museumMuseumsArt museum
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Open Museums in Chicago: Full Guide to Museums Reopening
"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."
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center
4.7 (4856 ratings)4.5 (2824 ratings)
Free art & shows in an 1897 Beaux-Arts building with vaulted lobby, mosaics & 2 stained-glass domes.
78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Cultural centerShoppingArt centerArt GalleriesArchitectural Buildings
Chicago History Museum
Chicago History Museum
4.6 (2042 ratings)4.5 (1035 ratings)
Photos, artifacts, newsreels & dioramas bring to life historical events, architecture & more.
1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
History museumMuseumsCultural centerLocal history museum
Wolfbait & B-girls
Wolfbait & B-girls
4.8 (138 ratings)
Shop for artisan clothing, gifts, stationery, personal care & jewelry made by Chicago designers.
3131 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Women's clothing storeArt centerBoutiqueClothing storeGift shop
Tiffany Dome
Tiffany Dome
4.6 (24 ratings)
78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Cultural centerCentresHobbies
Mentioned by Atlas Obscura
14 Surprisingly Romantic Places in Chicago
"Forget a Tiffany necklace, this massive stained-glass masterpiece at the Chicago Cultural Center is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence."
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
4.7 (132 ratings)4.5 (17 ratings)
Museum focused exclusively on folk & outsider art, also offering performances & lectures.
756 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Art museumShoppingArt centerArt galleryCultural centerEvent venueGift shop
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
Open Museums in Chicago: Full Guide to Museums Reopening
"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."
Mentioned by The World and Then Some
12 incredible art galleries in Chicago
"It is actually the only nonprofit organisation in the USA that is fully devoted to ‘outsider’ art and self taught art. It’s more than just an art gallery or museum – it’s somewhere to come for inspiration, and it’s actually used a lot by art students in the city of Chicago. There are over 1000 works of art here, so plenty to see!"
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Museum of Contemporary Photography
4.4 (302 ratings)4 (86 ratings)
Museum offering programs & events, with a U.S.-focused permanent collection & rotating exhibits.
600 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
MuseumArt museumSpecialty Museums
Mentioned by Expedia Viewfinder
The Best Galleries and Art Museums in Chicago
"Part of Columbia College Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Photography contains images by some of America’s greatest photographers. This includes Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. A particular highlight is the Farm Security Administration collection of images, which portray life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl."
Mentioned by Bestratedlist
11 Free Museums in Chicago(That Offers Free Admission)
"It’s a must-see for someone who loves photography and is in Chicago. Amazing museum with very interesting exhibitions. Great free exhibition and the collection is well prepared and the message is clear and strong."
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum
4.7 (609 ratings)4.5 (1318 ratings)
Restored 19th-century mansion with notable Gilded Age architectural features & antiques.
40 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
MuseumArt museumHistorical landmarkSpecialty Museums

Best & Cool Science and Space Museums in Downtown Chicago

WNDR Museum
WNDR Museum
4.2 (1169 ratings)4 (11 ratings)
1130 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
MuseumArt MuseumsScience MuseumsSpecialty Museums
International Museum of Surgical Science
International Museum of Surgical Science
4.5 (875 ratings)4 (168 ratings)
Paintings, sculptures & exhibits help tell the history of surgery from ancient times to the present.
1524 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Science museumMuseumsHistorical landmarkSpecialty Museums

Best Comedy Club in Downtown Chicago Area

Jokes and Notes
Jokes and Notes
4.5 (32 ratings)
Professional & amateur acts take the stage at this comedy club with a two-drink minimum for shows.
4641 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653, USA
Comedy club
Zanies Comedy Night Club
Zanies Comedy Night Club
4.6 (483 ratings)
Decades old comedy club that hosts nationally-known headliners & is 21 & older only.
1548 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
Comedy club
Mentioned by Passion Passport
LOL Chicago: A Guide to the Windy City’s Comedy Clubs
"If you’re a big fan of stand-up, this just might be the club for you. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Zanies was Chicago’s first establishment dedicated to stand-up, making it a mainstay on the city’s comedy scene. It features touring headline acts every night of the week, so no matter when you’re in town, you should be able to squeeze a show into your travel plans."
Mentioned by Chicago Traveler
The Best Comedy Clubs in Chicago
"If you’re looking for a comedy club in Chicago with rich, long-standing history, Zanie’s Comedy Night Club is the place to go. Located on North Wells, this comedy club is for the 21 and over crowd and hosts nationally-known headliners on a weekly basis. Listen and laugh with the likes of Jeff Garlin, Doug Benson, Josh Blue and more when stopping in at Zanie’s Comedy Night Club."
Mentioned by Trip101
10 Best Comedy Clubs In Chicago, Illinois
"A post shared by Mandy & Morgan (@bacon_wrappeddates) on Oct 16, 2018 at 7:44pm PDT. Zanies Comedy Night Club might be small (patrons literally sit beside each other), but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in humor. Do note that there’s a minimum two-drink and food policy here."
Gallery Cabaret
Gallery Cabaret
4.6 (252 ratings)
Quirky, low-key watering hole with live tunes nightly plus comedy & open-mike nights.
2020 N Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
BarArt galleryBeer hallComedy clubLive music venue
Mentioned by Flat Price Moving & Auto Transport
Chicago Nightlife | City Guides | Flat Price Auto Transport
"If you’re looking for fresh comedy or considering doing a 5-minute set yourself, the Gallery Cabaret is perfect for you. Located in Bucktown, just north of downtown, the Gallery Cabaret is a fun dive bar with comedy open-mic nights. They offer decent food, great cocktails, beer, and everything you need for making the nightlife in Chicago fun for you and your friends."

Top Rated Parks to Visit in Downtown Chicago

Big Marsh Park
Big Marsh Park
4.6 (289 ratings)
280.13-acre open space with an off-road bike park, nature areas for bird watching & hiking trails.
11559 S Stony Island Ave, Chicago, IL 60633, USA
ParkNature preserve
Mentioned by Curbed Chicago
14 secret parks and gardens in Chicago
"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."
Mentioned by Do312
The Best Parks In Chicago
"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."
Welles (Gideon) Park
Welles (Gideon) Park
4.6 (1097 ratings)
A 15-acre green space featuring numerous ballfields, indoor pool & fitness center, & concert stage.
2333 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
Park
Mentioned by Busy Tourist
51 Best & Fun Things To Do In Chicago (Illinois)
"If you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind, Welles Park can offer a respite from all of the lights, noises and crowds of Chicago. It isn’t without amenities. Its centerpiece is an ornate, wire-topped gazebo where bands can play outdoor concerts and community leaders can give rallying speeches."
Mentioned by Localize
These are the best parks in Chicago
"Welles Park is a 15.84-acre park located in the heart of Lincoln Square. It is a gathering place for musicians and sports & fitness enthusiasts. The park was created in 1910 and named after Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy from 1861 to 1869."
Union Park
Union Park
4.4 (850 ratings)
Longtime park offering playing fields, a pool & basketball courts plus a theater & fitness center.
1501 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Park
Mentioned by TripSavvy
Check Out the 8 Best Parks in Chicago
"West Loop’s Union Park, located on 13.46 acres in the Near West community area, is the site for two of the city’s biggest music festivals: Pitchfork and North Coast Music Festival. The park has several large fields, often used for various outdoor sports. The history of Union Park is also quite remarkable—it’s the site of several political protests and demonstrations since the early 1900s, most notably the Great American Boycott and the 2006 Immigration Reform protests."
Mentioned by Localize
These are the best parks in Chicago
"Union Park is a 13.46-acres park created in 1853 and became well known between the 1920s and 50s for cultural and social events. Today, the park features a field house with a theater room with stage, and a building with a gym, fitness center, and locker rooms. Outside facilities include tennis courts, swimming pool, playgrounds, an athletic field, and more."

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Downtown Chicago

Stunning Solo/Couple 1BR Center of Lakeview Wifi
Apartment
$95 /night
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3.2 (1110 reviews)
Chinatown Hotel Chicago
Hotel
$68 /night
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4.2 (355 reviews)
Courtyard Chicago Downtown/Magnificent Mile
Hotel
$159 /night
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