CONTENTS FEATURES RESOURCES CHICAGO’S CULTURE SCENE BY LISA SHAMES Scan here to check out free admission days at some of Chicago’s leading museums. Follow our two-day itinerary to experience the best of Chicago culture, from galleries and museums to theatre and dance. DAY 1 MORNING Head to the iconic Art Institute of Chicago , one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world, home to works ranging from Impressionist masterpieces to contemporary marvels. Keep the art appreciation going with a visit to the Chicago Cultural Center , a major hub for art exhibits, live music, lectures, films, and dance set in a beautiful Loop landmark. AFTERNOON Another staple of Chicago’s diverse arts scene, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago features new and experimental works by leading contemporary artists. Stimulate your curiosity and your senses at the WNDR Museum , which features interactive, immersive experiences from an international who’s who of artists, studios, and collectives. Located inside a 1920s building transformed into a stunning work of art, Wrightwood 659 features exhibitions of architecture and socially engaged art. EVENING A treasure for visitors and locals alike, Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre culture lover’s dream, from the Harris Theater for Music and Dance to the Frank Gehry-designed outdoor Pritzker Pavilion that hosts a roster of free concerts. If live theatre is more your jam, Broadway In Chicago delivers with five stellar downtown theatres, featuring some of the country’s best touring musicals and plays. At the Loop’s Goodman Theatre , Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit theatre, expect an exciting Anna Karenina – The Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House schedule of classic and modern works. For more than 20 years, Congo Square Theatre Company has dedicated itself to staging transformative works rooted in the African Diaspora. With its gorgeous art deco interior, a visit to the Lyric Opera of Chicago rewards in many ways beyond the outstanding performances. Ranked as one of the premier dance companies in the world, the Joffrey Ballet performs classical and contemporary ballets, including its beloved annual holiday presentation of The Nutcracker . History Museum and Education Center is a treasure trove of African and African American history, culture, and art with permanent and visiting exhibitions. Located in the Pilsen neighborhood, the National Museum of Mexican Art showcases 3,600 years of creativity from both sides of the border, representing the diversity of Mexican culture. AFTERNOON Lovers of the written word won’t want to miss the American Writers Museum , an interactive museum that spotlights great writing in all its genres through exhibits, events, and author visits. A place where legendary music magic was made, Chess Records is home to Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven DAY 2 Art Institute of Chicago MORNING In Washington Park, The DuSable Black Find more museums at choosechicago.com/things-to-do/museums-culture . 24 choosechicago.com TOP TO BOTTOM: CHERYL MANN; ABEL ARCINIEGA
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