VISIT
Hours
Members: The first hour of every day, 10–11, is reserved for member-only viewing.
| Days | Hours | |
| Mon | 11–5 | |
| Tue–Wed | Closed | |
| Thu | 11–8 | |
| Fri–Sun | 11–5 |
Beginning March 5, 2025, the museum will be open on Wednesdays, 11–5, with a member-only hour, 10–11.
Admission
| Category | |
| General Admission | |
| Chicago Residents | |
| Illinois Residents | |
| Fast Pass | |
| CityPASS |
| Age group | Price | |
| Adult $32 | ||
| Seniors (65+) $26 | ||
| Students $26 | ||
| Teens (14-17) $26 | ||
| Children Free | ||
| Members Free | ||
| Adult $20 | ||
| Seniors (65+) $14 | ||
| Students $14 | ||
| Teens (14-17) Free | ||
| Children Free | ||
| Members Free | ||
| Adult $27 | ||
| Seniors (65+) $21 | ||
| Students $21 | ||
| Teens (14-17) $21 | ||
| Children Free | ||
| Members Free | ||
| Adult $40 | ||
| Seniors (65+) $34 | ||
| Students $34 | ||
| Teens (14-17) $34 | ||
| Children Free | ||
| Members Free | ||
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Save 48% on admission to the Art Institute and 4 other top Chicago attractions with CityPASS. Visit the attractions in any order over a 9-day period with one single easy-to-order mobile ticket. Get CityPASS |
Free Admission Opportunities: The Art Institute of Chicago provides free access to children under 14, Chicago teens under 18, Link and WIC cardholders, and Illinois educators every day, as well as to Illinois residents on certain days throughout the year. Learn more.
Free admission for Illinois residents is supported by Health Care Service Corporation.
Members never need tickets and never have to wait in admission lines.
Free Winter Weekdays
January 6–March 14, 2025
We’re excited to start the New Year with Free Winter Weekdays, offering Illinois residents free admission every Monday, Thursday, and Friday—all day long.
Plus, beginning March 5, 2025, we will also be open on Wednesdays, which means that Wednesdays, March 5, and March 12, will also be part of our 2025 Free Winter Weekdays.
Hear the stories behind the art—straight from artists, experts, and community members.
Who's Visiting?
FAQs
All FAQs
Ordering advance tickets, including free tickets for Illinois residents, is encouraged but not required. Tickets can be purchased on-site.
Both general admission and Fast Pass tickets allow you to see all of the museum’s nonticketed special exhibitions. Occasionally, exhibitions require an additional paid ticket that you can add to your order when checking out online.
We have two dining spaces that are open to all visitors: the Café offers an array of fresh seasonal dishes, including sandwiches, salads, and desserts, and the Modern Bar offers lighter fare plus a full coffee, tea, and beverage menu.
Additionally, the Member Bar at Terzo Piano, a space for our Art Institute members, provides free coffee and tea as well as wine, beer, cocktails, and light snacks for purchase. Learn more about our dining options.
Illinois residents are able to visit free of charge during Free Winter Weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays), January 6–March 14, 2025. Plus, beginning March 5, 2025, the museum will also be open on Wednesdays, which means that Wednesdays, March 5, and March 12, will also be part of our 2025 Free Winter Weekdays.
Learn more about our ongoing free admission opportunities, including for the following groups:
-Kids under 14
-Chicago teens under 18
-Students who attend one of our University Partner schools
-LINK and WIC cardholders
-Illinois educators
-Active-duty military and their families (Armed Services Day–Labor Day)
Yes, our checkrooms are free for all visitors. Bags and backpacks larger than 13 x 17 x 4 inches are not allowed in the galleries and must be checked, but we cannot accept food, beverages, flowers, or balloons in the checkroom, and they are not permitted in the museum spaces that house art. Learn more about which items are and are not permitted in the museum.
The museum’s North and South Gardens are usually open throughout the summer months, Thursday–Monday, during museum hours. The gardens regularly close for major special events that bring increased crowds downtown, such as the NASCAR Street Race, Lollapalooza, and the Democratic National Convention.
