The museum offers two entrances: the doors to the original 1893 building are at 111 South Michigan Avenue, and the 2009 Modern Wing can be entered at 159 East Monroe Street.
The directions provided below all lead to the Michigan Avenue entrance.
Driving to the Art Institute via Expressway
From Indiana
Indiana toll road (90) to Chicago Skyway to Dan Ryan Expressway (90, 94) to Congress East (Loop exit). East on Congress to Congress Plaza (first light east of Michigan Avenue.) North (left turn) on Congress Plaza, which merges with Michigan Avenue. North on Michigan Avenue to Adams.
From South Suburbs
Dan Ryan Expressway (90, 94) to Congress East (Loop exit). East to Congress Plaza (first light east of Michigan Avenue). North (left turn) on Congress Plaza which merges with Michigan Avenue. North on Michigan Avenue to Adams.
From Wisconsin and North Suburbs
Edens Expressway (94) into Kennedy Expressway (90, 94) to Loop, exit Monroe Street east. East to Michigan Avenue.
From O’Hare Airport and Northwest Suburbs
Kennedy Expressway (90) to Loop, exit Monroe Street east. East to Michigan Avenue.
From West Suburbs
Eisenhower Expressway (290) east (290 becomes Congress Parkway in Loop) to Congress Plaza (first light east of Michigan Avenue). North (left turn) on Congress Plaza which merges with Michigan Avenue to Adams.
From Southwest Suburbs
Stevenson Expressway (55) to Lake Shore Drive (41). North to Jackson Blvd. West on Jackson (left turn) to Michigan Ave. North on Michigan to Adams.
Parking
Park at the Millennium Garages
Millennium Garages operates four underground parking garages adjacent to the museum, with extensive public parking, accessible parking, and electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Millennium Park Garage: 6 S. Columbus Drive—most convenient to the Art Institute of Chicago!
Enter through vehicle entry ramps at 5 S. Columbus Drive (between Monroe and Randolph). The pedestrian lobby is located directly across the street from the museum’s Modern Wing entrance on E. Monroe St.
Lakeside Garage: 5 S. Columbus Drive
Enter through vehicle entry ramps at 5 S. Columbus Drive (between Monroe and Randolph). The Lakeside Garage shares the same vehicle entrance as the Millennium Park Garage.
Grant Park South Garage: 325 S. Michigan Avenue
Enter through center lane entry ramps (between Van Buren and Jackson).
Grant Park North Garage: 25 N. Michigan Avenue
Enter through center lane vehicle entry (between Monroe and Randolph).
Art Institute of Chicago Members at the Member level and above receive additional parking discounts. Stop by the membership desk during your next visit to collect your discount voucher or sign-up for a Flex Daily Card which includes discounts at all four garages everyday.
Accessible Parking Available
Drop-offs are permitted at the museum’s Modern Wing entrance at the traffic pullout on the eastbound lanes of Monroe Street (east of Michigan Avenue). After drop-off, turn left on Columbus Drive to access The Millennium Park or Lakeside parking garage entry ramps. There is 6’ 8” clearance in limited sections and an elevator at the exit.
*Discounted parking is not included for members at the Student and E-Member levels. Contact [email protected] to upgrade your membership today.
SpotHero Parking
Book convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservations app.
Simply visit the Art Institute of Chicago SpotHero parking page and book a spot with rates up to 50% lower than drive-up rates.
Public Transit
Using Public Transportation
The Art Institute is located just one block east of the Loop and is easily accessible via the city’s “L” train system. The Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple lines all stop above ground at Adams/Wabash, one block west of the museum. The Red and Blue lines stop underground at Monroe, just a few blocks away. A number of bus lines also stop in front of the museum. Currently, “L” fare is $2.50 per adult. Visit the Chicago Transit Authority website for route, schedule, and fare details.
Metra is Chicago’s commuter rail transit system. The Art Institute is accessible from both the Van Buren and Millennium stations, which are underground just one to two blocks south and north (respectively) along Michigan Avenue. Visit the Metra website for route, schedule, and fare details.
Divvy Bike Program
Divvy is Chicago’s bike-sharing system. It offers thousands of bikes and hundreds of stations across the city, providing Chicagoans and visitors with an additional transportation option. There are several Divvy bike stations within walking distance of the Art Institute. For more information and pricing, visit divvybikes.com.
Private Bus Rentals and Parking
To make your visit to the Art Institute as seamless as possible, consider renting a charter bus for your group.
CharterUP
CharterUP is a marketplace for charter bus rentals in Chicago that offers a suite of capabilities, such as real-time availability and instant booking.
GOGO Charters
GOGO Charters has successfully arranged thousands of Chicago charter bus rentals, and is committed to providing your group with a seamless and stress-free travel experience.
The bus drop-off location for the museum is the southwest corner of Monroe Street and Columbus Drive along the curb. If you have a charter bus, please drop off and pick up groups on Columbus Drive, just south of Monroe Street. Buses may not load and unload on Monroe Street nor in the circle driveway off of Columbus Drive.
While bus parking on-site is not available, the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau offers complete parking options and incentives.
