Top Illinois Art & Culture

Discover the hidden gems of Chicago’s Loop area on a walking tour that showcases the best of the neighborhood’s stunning interiors and architectural must-sees. Step behind the facades to explore beautifully designed interiors—from art deco spaces to stained glass mosaics—as you follow a carefully curated route led by a guide. Along the way, learn about the city’s architecture, art, and history, and experience a side of Chicago often missed by travelers, all from a local’s perspective.

Get a front row perspective on the exquisite buildings that line the Chicago River during a 45-minute architecture cruise. Hear live commentary about the history and architectural heritage of Chicago on this family-friendly tour, which highlights landmarks such as the Chicago Riverwalk, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower. Sit on the open-air top deck or the sheltered bottom deck for the ultimate view of Chicago.

Explore the fascinating connection between art and emotions at the EmotionAir exhibition at Balloon Museum. This unique showcase features inflatable art that serves as a mirror to our deepest feelings, allowing visitors to engage with interactive installations, emotional projections, and performance art. First launched in London in December 2023, EmotionAir invites you on a sensory journey that transforms your understanding of art and its emotional impact. Immerse yourself in the intimate nuances of human emotions through this captivating experience.

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.

Voted the #1 Immersive Art Experience in America by USA Today readers in 2024, Color Factory Chicago celebrates the joy of color. Guests embark on a bright and colorful journey through 14+ immersive installations that inspire joy and human connection, expand boundaries of perception, encourage play, and engage the senses in unexpected ways. Fun for all ages, each visit includes surprise giveaways, sweet treats, and complimentary digital photos. From the lobby to the gift shop and every colorful moment in between, our spaces are as inclusive as they are dynamic and celebratory. Each room is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators. Jump into color with us! Please note: At least ONE person's ID must match the name on ONE ticket. If no one in your party has an ID matching the name on one ticket, you will not be allowed entry. Minors under the age of 18 will not be allowed inside without a parent or guardian.

Make the most of your visit to the Art Institute of Chicago with a local, Chicago-based company that knows the museum inside and out. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a beginner, this opportunity lets you learn about the museum and its pieces through the eyes of an art historian guide without the crowds. Enhance your visit by hearing the stories behind major works.

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.

Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, Griffin MSI is a Chicago must-see. When visiting the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, you'll experience a 40-foot tornado, climb aboard a World War II German submarine, take a run in a human-sized hamster wheel, descend into an Illinois coal mine, board a 727 hanging from the ceiling and much more! Griffin MSI is not a place where you walk around quietly and observe. You get involved in the fun — and learn — by doing. Just a few miles from downtown with convenient underground parking.

Explore the hidden side of Downtown Chicago—and see sights that even many locals miss—on a small-group walking tour of the Pedway (an underground network of tunnels that connects Chicago buildings) and the vibrant Loop. Ideal for architecture fans, this tour includes insider stories and landmarks you wouldn't spot on your own—plus a chance to see Windy City icons like the Picasso Statue and Millennium Park.

Discover one of downtown Chicago's highlight museums, and explore the works of leading artists across myriad media and genres, when you book tickets to the Museum of Contemporary Art. Choose from multiple entry times throughout the day, make your own way to the museum, and get ready to explore. Exhibitions are ever-changing, but you can expect to see works by artists the likes of Kara Walker, Jasper Johns, Cindy Sherman, and beyond.

Enter a land of sugar and adventure with admission to Chicago’s Museum of Ice Cream. Immerse yourself in a vibrant world of interactive exhibits, including sprinkle-filled pools, whimsical selfie spots, and exclusive ice cream sampling stations offering seasonal flavors. Whether you’re an art lover or a dessert enthusiast, this playful, family-friendly experience promises fun and memories for all. Avoid disappointment by booking your preferred time.

Exploring Oak Park, Illinois, where Frank Lloyd Wright resided during the crucial early years of his career, offers a captivating journey through the evolution of his architectural vision. The neighborhood is renowned for hosting the largest collection of Wright's work. Built between 1892 and 1909, your stroll through the neighborhood takes you to several private homes and Wright’s studio providing a fascinating glimpse into his creative progression and the birth of the iconic Prairie style. View the exteriors of nearly a dozen of Wright’s structures. This one-hour walking tour covers nearly a dozen homes on Chicago and Forest avenues and on Elizabeth Court.

Chicago is renowned for its wealth of spectacular architecture—and this small-group tour gives you the special chance to discover building interiors that most visitors overlook. In the afternoon, meet your guide in Downtown Chicago, and get ready to discover the interiors of five of the city’s most striking art deco skyscrapers. As you go, soak up the skyline views, and learn more about the city’s unique architectural history.

Skip the hassle of planning your Chicago itinerary with this convenient hop-on hop-off tour, covering the city's must-see sights. With multiple strategically located stops, explore the Windy City at your own pace, hopping off to visit top attractions like the iconic Art Institute and famous skyscrapers. Enjoy insightful audio commentary as you cruise through the city, learning about its rich history and vibrant culture. Perfect for first-time visitors or those short on time, this tour offers flexibility and ease, ensuring you don’t miss any of Chicago’s highlights. Book your ticket today and experience the best of Chicago hassle-free!

See Chicago from a different perspective on this evening cruise that explores the city’s darker side. As twilight settles over the skyline, glide along the Chicago River while hearing chilling tales of disasters, infamous criminals, and eerie legends tied to the city’s past. This relaxed river cruise blends atmospheric storytelling with some of the best nighttime views of Chicago’s renowned skyline and landmarks. Grab a drink from the onboard bar, settle in, and let the city’s shadowy history unfold as you cruise through the heart of downtown. By the end of the journey, you’ll have experienced Chicago’s skyline in a whole new way—while uncovering the chilling events, legends, and mysteries that shaped the city. Please arrive 30 minutes in advance!

Chicago is famous for its architecture, and the best way to see it is on a cruise down the Chicago River. Glide by historic and modern marvels like the Civic Opera House, Wrigley Building, and Willis Tower from the comfort of an open-deck boat. Live narration reveals each building’s fascinating history, so you'll learn more than you would just observing on your own.

There are lots of ways to take in Chicago’s architectural sights, but most tours don’t mix things up by teaching you about the city’s dark criminal past. On this combination architecture and true crime walking tour, explore with a local guide and listen to intriguing stories as you explore downtown landmarks such as Chase Tower, Palmer House, and much more.

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.

The Art Institute of Chicago houses one of the finest American and Impressionist painting collections in the world, but it can be overwhelming to explore on your own. Remove the guesswork and maximize your time inside the museum on a private tour that covers major highlights by Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, Hopper, and others. Plus, there's no waiting to get inside, as the tour includes a skip-the-line ticket.

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.

Lovers of history, true crime, and haunted mysteries rejoice—skip the generic sightseeing tours and learn about Chicago’s dark underbelly with this mob history tour. Follow your guide through historic streets and alleys from Grant Park to the “Alley of Death”—also known as West Couch Place—as you learn about the city’s gritty mobsters, doomed ghosts, crime, and vice.

The Field Museum of Natural History is one of Chicago’s most-visited museums—and this package deal offers a way to beat the crowds and see its top exhibitions without stress. Secure your tickets before you travel, arrive an hour before the galleries open to the public, and explore in the company of a museum docent. You’ll see collection highlights like Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, and much more.