United States of America

Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States, and it sits right in the middle of the city, flanking the south end of Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue.

The museum was founded in 1879, just eight years after the Great Chicago Fire, and moved into its current Beaux-Arts building in 1893, constructed for the World's Columbian Exposition. The building itself, with its iconic bronze lion statues guarding the entrance, has become one of Chicago's most photographed landmarks.

Inside, the collection spans 5,000 years and includes more than 300,000 works. Some of the most famous pieces in Western art live here: Georges Seurat's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte," Grant Wood's "American Gothic," and Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks." The Impressionist gallery is one of the finest outside of Paris.

One lesser-known fact: the entire building straddles active railroad tracks. If you're standing in certain galleries, trains are passing directly beneath your feet.

Picasso's "The Old Guitarist" has another secret. X-ray analysis revealed three hidden figures beneath the visible painting: a woman, a child, and a cow, painted over when Picasso reused the canvas during his Blue Period.

If you're on a Questo quest through Chicago's cultural mile, the Art Institute is a stop where you could spend five minutes or five hours and still feel like you missed something.

The Art Institute of Chicago

 The Miró's Chicago Sculpture

The Untitled Picasso

Buckingham Fountain

Chinatown Square Plaza

Wooden Alley

Chinatown Gateway

Children's Fountain

N Lincoln Park W

Chicago Historical Society

Second City Main Stage

Midwest Buddhist Temple

Farm in the Zoo

Hans Christian Andersen Monument

Grandmother's Garden

Oz Park

Wrigley Field

Metro Theater

The Riviera Theatre

Davis Theater, Chicago

Waters Garden

Berlin Wall Monument

Crown Fountain is one of Chicago's most beloved modern public artworks, bringing together cutting-edge technology and playful interactive design. Located in AT&T Plaza within Millennium Park, this 66-foot-tall glass block structure displays videos of Chicago residents' faces on its LED screens, creating a mesmerizing light show that changes throughout the day and night. Artist Jaume Plensa's creation uses real Chicagoans from all walks of life; residents were filmed in a studio and their footage creates an ever-rotating gallery of smiling, frowning, blinking faces that feel surprisingly personal despite the technological medium. The fountain earned its name from a Crown Corporation deed restriction that once required a 'drinking fountain' in the plaza; Plensa's interpretation playfully delivers water from the mouths of the digital faces in summer months, inviting visitors to interact with the art. This fusion of high-tech spectacle with community connection makes it a perfect spot for a Questo city game where you can discover Chicago's commitment to merging art with everyday public space.

<ul><li>Innovative Design: The fountain uses LED technology to display changing faces, which spout water from their mouths, combining art and play in an urban setting.</li><li>Reflecting Pool: The shallow water pool between the towers invites visitors to wade and interact with the installation, providing a refreshing escape from the city heat.</li><li>Cultural Significance: This installation reflects the communal spirit of Chicago by featuring the faces of 1,000 residents, representing the city’s rich cultural tapestry.</li></ul>

A Modern Water Marvel: Crown Fountain

Eastside Chicago: The Art Heist Walking Tour & Escape Game

Discover Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, Chicago's iconic 66-foot LED glass tower showcasing Chicago residents' faces. A must-see interactive art experience.

Crown Fountain, Chicago — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

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