United States of America

Chicago

Wooden Alley

The Untitled Picasso

 The Miró's Chicago Sculpture

Children's Fountain

N Lincoln Park W

Chicago Historical Society

Second City Main Stage

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

Midwest Buddhist Temple

Buckingham Fountain

Farm in the Zoo

Hans Christian Andersen Monument

Grandmother's Garden

Oz Park

Chinatown Square Plaza

Chinatown Gateway

Wrigley Field

Metro Theater

The Riviera Theatre

Davis Theater, Chicago

Waters Garden

Berlin Wall Monument

<p>The Old Chicago Water Tower District is one of the few structures that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, making it a significant historical landmark. Located along the Magnificent Mile, this gothic-style tower now serves as a beacon of Chicago’s resilience and architectural heritage. It houses a visitor center and stands as a tribute to the city’s recovery and growth.</p><h4><strong>Best Time/Season to Visit:</strong></h4><p>The Water Tower is a year-round destination, but it’s especially compelling during the holiday season when the surrounding area is festooned with lights and decorations.</p>

<ul><li><strong>Historical Significance</strong>: The tower’s survival of the Great Chicago Fire has made it a symbol of Chicago's enduring spirit.</li><li><strong>Architectural Elegance</strong>: With its intricately designed exterior, the Water Tower represents a rare example of Gothic Revival architecture in a modern urban setting.</li><li><strong>Cultural Center</strong>: The district not only features the historic water tower but also includes the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station and the Lookingglass Theatre, enhancing its cultural value to the city.</li></ul>

A Symbol of Survival: Old Chicago Water Tower District

Chicago Highlights: Story of a Gangster

Visit the Old Chicago Water Tower District and experience a piece of Chicago’s storied past, showcasing Gothic Revival architecture and the city’s resilient spirit.

Discover the Historic Old Chicago Water Tower District