Top Illinois Art & Culture Classes

Souvenirs can be a fantastic way to remember a trip, but ones you’ve made yourself are even more special. In this small-group perfume-making class, craft your ideal fragrance from a range of different scents, from soft floral notes to exotic spices, and when you’re finished, personalize your bottle with a name or initials.

Enjoy a unique creative outlet—and learn the ins and outs of graffiti and street art—during this hands-on urban art workshop. Learn different styles and techniques from your instructors (including guest artists), try out stenciling and spray-painting, and create your own work of art on canvas to bring home at the end of class.

SHOOTING&SPINNING IS ALLOWED FROM 18 YEARS OF AGE. In case it is a group, everyone must be 18+ Experience the enchantment of Shot of Art - After Dark, where creativity meets nightlife in a truly unique way. Step into our atmospheric setting and let your imagination run wild as you paint and create amidst the evening glow. Our signature Shooting/Spinning activity adds an exhilarating twist to your artistic journey. Armed with an airsoft gun, you'll aim at balloons filled with vibrant paint, unleashing a burst of color onto your canvas. Then, watch in awe as we spin your paint-splashed masterpiece into a stunning abstract work of art, creating mesmerizing patterns and textures. Ideal for date nights or group outings, Shot of Art - After Dark promises an unforgettable experience filled with creativity, laughter, and excitement. Embrace the magic and let your inner artist shine! Please note: This activity is suitable for ages 18 and above.

Souvenirs are a great way to remember a trip, but ones you’ve hand-crafted yourself can be even more special. In this crafting workshop, learn how to create a soy wax candle and customize each with your own personally chosen fragrance. Take home your candle at the end of the course to light at home or keep to cherish the memories.

Step into our vibrant candle-making studio and unleash your creativity! Craft candles with friends and family, blending custom scents in a welcoming space. Take home your masterpiece the same day, making memories and experiencing Chicago in a unique, unforgettable way. Join us for a non-traditional workshop designed for instant gratification and lasting inspiration!

Unleash your creativity at the Glow Workshop, a unique art experience where vibrant neon paints glow under blacklight. Guided by talented street art instructors, you’ll create a stunning 12x16" canvas masterpiece that comes to life in the dark. Perfect for a fun night out or a memorable date, this high-energy workshop offers an inviting atmosphere to connect with friends while enjoying your first craft brew on us. Bring your imagination and prepare for a night of painting, laughter, and glowing art.

Step into Chicago’s coolest hidden bars on a mid-century cocktail adventure! Join a local guide to discover vintage lounges, secret speakeasies, and retro bars most tourists miss. Savor expertly crafted cocktails (own expense), hear untold stories of the city’s nightlife boom, and soak in stylish decor straight from the 1950s and 60s. This small-group tour is perfect for cocktail lovers, architecture buffs, and anyone seeking an off-the-beaten-path night out in the Windy City.

Admire some of the Windy City's most iconic views—and enjoy a time-saving, relaxing way to sightsee—aboard this pet-friendly Chicago River architecture boat tour. With commentary from your onboard guide, watch the spectacular skyline glide by, including dozens of notable buildings, like the Wrigley Building and the John Hancock Building. In just one tour, you cover multiple branches of the Chicago River and learn insider facts and stories you'd otherwise miss.

Immerse yourself in one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods—and head off the tourist trail to discover sights and bites many visitors miss—on this small-group Chinatown food and walking tour. With your guide in the lead, learn about the cuisine of different regions of China, and discover the history of Chicago's Chinatown. Along the way, enjoy a generous array of tastings, from dim sum to Sichuan cuisine and beyond.

Enjoy the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at one of the Windy City's most storied venues on this insider tour of the Chicago Theater. Let your guide lead the way, as you hear about the theater's architecture, history, and famous performers throughout the years. Stand on the famed stage and take in the atmosphere, and see artist signatures from notable performers, including Frank Sinatra and Dolly Parton. A great activity for fans of music and live performance.

Chicago dogs, deep-dish pizza, brownies, and craft beer are all sampled on this half-day bike tour through the Windy City. Cover about 13 miles (21 km), following your guide at a moderate pace through Chicago neighborhoods. On the day tour, ride through Wrigleyville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast. On the night tour, visit Chicago’s Riverwalk, Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain and the Lakefront Trail. As you go, stop for generous food and beer tasters.

Immerse yourself in Chicago's thriving craft beer scene—and visit locals-loved breweries you'd be unlikely to stumble across otherwise—on this half-day brewery tour. Travel in style, and get in the spirit, aboard a traditional Prohibition–style barrel bus. Visit several unique breweries, and go on behind-the-scenes production facility tours. Discover the science behind the brewing process, and enjoy plenty of beer samples throughout the tour.

Get the most out of your trip to Chicago as you enjoy discount access to five of the city’s top attractions with the CityPASS®. This easy-to-use mobile ticket grants you free entry into top-tier sights including the Chicago's most famous aquarium and Skydeck Chicago, plus your choice of admission to three of the following attractions: Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck, Adler Planetarium, or Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour.

Enjoy a fun and time-saving way to explore the best of Chicago on this small-group, guided Segway tour. Visit popular Grant Park and see Buckingham Fountain, plus optimal views of the Windy City skyline. Glide along the Lakefront Trail, taking in the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, and beyond. Guided Segway training and helmets are included on this beginner-friendly outing.

Experience Chicago in a new way on this small-group Segway tour. Visit Chicago’s "front yard," and see more of the sights in less time. Glide along the fragrant floral paths of Grant Park to the famous Buckingham Fountain. Then, travel along the banks of Lake Michigan to the Museum Campus for top-notch views of the city’s iconic skyline. Guided Segway training and helmets are included, making this a beginner-friendly tour.

Get ready to unleash your creativity at the BYOB Candle-Making Class at Chicago Candle Co. This hands-on workshop invites you to craft stunning, personalized candles from upcycled wine bottles, all while enjoying your favorite drinks. Under the guidance of friendly instructors, you’ll learn the art of glass cutting and soy wax pouring, choosing from a variety of cocktail-inspired scents. Bond with friends or make new ones in a welcoming atmosphere as you create unique pieces that reflect your individual style and eco-friendly values. Perfect for a fun night out or a memorable group activity in the heart of Chicago.

Experience Chicago at its most magical—and admire views that few other visitors get to see—on this evening Segway tour. Visit popular Grant Park and see Buckingham Fountain’s summertime light show, with an illuminated Windy City skyline as the perfect backdrop. Then, glide along the lakefront, and admire Chicago's weekly summer fireworks display at Navy Pier from a secret location. Guided Segway training plus the use of a helmet are included.

Discover the magic of water marbling in Naperville and create art on paper or silk to take home! In just 30–45 minutes of hands-on play, you’ll create pieces worthy of framing -- or take it a step further by upgrading to silk printing. Imagine your designs on a scarf, twilly, or handkerchief that’s as wearable as it is beautiful. Perfect for families, friends, team-building, or solo creativity, this water marbling class is one of the most joyful things to do in Naperville and a refreshing addition to Illinois art classes!

You’ll be creating a unique fragrance that is true to you! We save it on file so you can order refills (at a discounted rate as long as you keep your bottle) and we rotate fragrances on the bar so you can always come in to create a new scent too! We’ve been around for over 30 years (established 1993) and have been a hidden gem in Chicago’s beautiful Lincoln Park area for the entire time. Nothing beats experience and trained perfumers to help guide and create the right proportions for you! We are BYOB—just board liquor allowed. But beer, wine, or a few hard seltzers are ok. It’s the perfect outing for date night, bachelorette parties, bridal showers, birthdays, business outings or even solo! For bigger groups (5+) you will have to book on our website or give us a call for instructions. It is a private activity in the sense that you get your own table or seating with your reservation—just like you would at a restaurant.

Our "Fluid Art" experience is truly unique. It offers a mesmerizing journey into the world of art unlike any other. Participants are guided through an exciting process using acrylic paints, silicone, a hair dryer, and a gas burner to create captivating patterns on canvas. This dynamic and spontaneous art form is suitable for everyone, whether you're an art enthusiast or a beginner. You'll be amazed by the intricate and unexpected designs that emerge, making each piece one-of-a-kind. It's a therapeutic and enjoyable activity that guarantees a memorable artistic adventure.

Unleash your creativity and learn the basics of screen printing in this beginner-friendly Chicago workshop. Bring your own t-shirt or sweatshirt and use professional equipment—and 20+ bold, premade designs—to create a unique, wearable piece of art. Guided by local experts at Remade in Chicago, you’ll master the ink-pulling technique, try layering or mixing designs, and leave with a one-of-a-kind upcycled tee. No experience or art skills required—just bring your imagination and a shirt to print. Perfect for individuals, friends, or creative groups!

SHOOTING&SPINNING IS ALLOWED FROM 18 YEARS OF AGE. In case it is a group, everyone must be 18+ Whether you're a seasoned artist or just looking for an exciting new experience, our activity promises a one-of-a-kind artistic journey. Book now and embark on an adventure that will leave you with an extraordinary masterpiece and unforgettable memories.

Unleash your creativity at a private Art Splash painting session in Chicago. Perfect for group celebrations, birthdays, or corporate events, this 40-minute experience lets you get hands-on with bold paints, premium tools, and a 12x16 canvas to take home. Protective clothing is provided—so you can embrace the splash, layer colors, and express yourself freestyle, no art skills needed! Your group gets a private room and expert guidance, ensuring an unforgettable, laughter-filled activity for anywhere from 6 to 80 people. Just arrive ready for creative fun and leave with a unique piece of art (allow up to five days for full drying).