January Museum of the Month: The Chicago Cultural Center
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A new year means 12 more museums of the month! To start off 2019, the museum of the month for the first month of the year is the Chicago Cultural Center. While it doesn’t have “museum” in the name and is slightly different than a museum, I think the cultural center fits the bill as a museum. After-all, the purpose of a museum is to showcase people, objects and materials that educate and entertain people on culture and history. The Chicago Cultural does all that and more. Here are five reasons why you should visit the Chicago Cultural Center.
Why You Should Visit the Chicago Cultural Center
#1: The Building
Even if you don’t do a thing once you get inside of the Chicago Cultural Center, but stare up at the ceiling, you will be impressed! Originally in 1897 the building housed Chicago’s first library. Ever since 1991 it has been a cultural center. Two stained glass domes, a lobby full of mosaics and marble and walls full of decorative literary details make it one of Chicago’s most impressive buildings.
#2: Exhibits
The Chicago Cultural center always has ongoing exhibits that typically last from one to six months. Here is a look at the variety of exhibits that I was able to visit this month.
Chicago!
The exhibit on Chicago, the musical and the movies, may have been my favorite. Did you know the famous Broadway musical is based on true events and people? Maybe this is common knowledge, but reading about the real people who inspired the movies and musical was one of the new things I learned from the exhibit. This exhibit will be at the center until July 20th.
ArtSpace
Part of the ArtSpace exhibition was done by Arts of Life, which helps over 60 artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through partnerships these artists can learn and create art with other professionals. You can see the wide range of works of art they make until April 7th.
Bronzeville Echoes: Faces and Places of Chicago’s African American Music
This ongoing hallway display details the history of the people, places, instruments and songs that created the African America music scene. Along with some musical memorabilia you can even go in a telephone booth to listen to some music from the era.
#3: On-Going Programs
Chicago Cultural Center Building Tours
Unfortunately I did not visit on a Wednesday – Saturday when the guided tours are offered at 1:15pm. If I did I would have loved to attend a tour to learn more history on the building.
Music, Films & Lectures
From Chamber music two times a month to international film screenings you are sure to find something that fits your cultural interests.
#4 Special Events
There is a full schedule of events. Almost every day of the year has at least one event. The events can range from meeting an artist to a theater kickoff. The first day of Chinese New Year fell on the day I visited the cultural center. I was able to attend Chicago’s kickoff celebration which was full of performances. The performances were a partnership between locals and individuals from China. Among other things they included a Chinese Opera company and local dragon dancers.
#5: It is free!
I can do all that and I don’t have to pay? Absolutely! You can go on the tours, visit the exhibits, attend the musical events, watch the films and more without paying a cent!
There you have it, five reasons why you should visit the Chicago Cultural Center! You can easily spend hours at the center, but if you need something else to do you are in a great area of the city full of places to eat and things to do. Check below for some recommendations.
Visiting Information
Where
78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
How to Get There
Take the pink, orange, green, brown, or purple lines on the El to Randolph. Or take the blue line to Washington or the red line to Lake.
Tickets
Free!
Hours
Monday – Friday: 10am – 7pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 5pm
Closed major holidays
Toilets
Toilets are located on the 1st, 2nd and 4th floors on the north side of the building.
Food
There are no cafes or restaurants within the cultural center. Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta is a couple blocks away and has delicious food and a slightly old school Italian feel inside.
Other Things to Do Nearby
Visit Millennium park, shop in the massive Macy’s, marvel at the art inside of the Art Institute of Chicago, wander through Maggie Daley Park and attend a performance at Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
Where to Stay
Whenever I visit Chicago I stay in River North or the South Loop, these are the neighborhoods closest to the majority of the tourist destinations. Typically I stay at the hotel with the best deal. Here are a couple that I have stayed at recently that I recommend: Hampton Inn & Suites – Chicago Downtown and La Quinta Inn & Suites – Chicago Downtown. Overall I advise searching for a hotel with a great price, the amenities you desire and in the area you prefer.
Check out my Museum of the Month page to see all my museum reviews!
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20 Comments
Jim
I visited the Cultural Center years ago and remember it being a quite interesting cultural oasis in a city of mega-museums. It’s a good place to see a cultural side of Chicago you won’t see elsewhere.
admin
I agree!
Marion
Awesome! I always look for the best museums when I visit a new city. I love that this one is free, culture should always be accessible to everyone. Looks like they know what they’re doing in Chicago!
admin
Yes, I love that the Chicago Cultural Center is accessible to everyone!
Nicole Hunter
My husband is from Chicago and I have probably been around 30 times to Chicago. But, I have never been to the Chicago Cultural Centre. I will rectify that next time that I go. I like the variety of exhibitions there and that it is free. How lovely is that?? I will try and take advantage of the guided tours there too.
admin
I have been to Chicago many times as well and had never heard of the Chicago Cultural Center. I hope you get to check it out!
Yara
Thanks for highlighting the cultural center – yes it definitely counts as a museum! The ArtSpace exhibit is really beautiful, I hope that I can get to see it when I visit Chicago in the summer.
Travel Optician
Chicago is on my bucket list for a long time now, can’t wait to make it there. I will definitely save your post to have it when I travel there 😀
admin
There are a lot of great things to do in Chicago, including the cultural center!
Amrita & Agni
You are right, I would visit the Chicago Cultural Centre just to have a look at the beautiful ceiling. I am sure the building is just as grand. The Cultural Centre looks like an interesting place having a mix of art and music and other exhibits.
Adele Gee
When there are free and interesting things to do , count me in! There seems to be a lot going on at the Cultural Centre and most of all I appreciate that you highlighted where the toilets are (very important!)
admin
Haha, glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks knowing where the toilets are is important!
Lisa
I’ve visited Chicago so many times to see family there, but I’ve never heard of the Cultural Centre! It’s great that it’s free, and there’s clearly a lot going on too. Will definitely make a stop here the next time I’m back.
admin
I had been many times in the past as well and this was the first time I heard of it too!
Patti
I have to admit that even though I live in Chicago I don’t visit the Chicago Cultural Center enough. It really is an underrated tourist destination between the beautiful ceilings and all the free exhibits and events.
admin
I know I have never heard about it any round-ups for places tourists should go!
Jackie Gately
The Chicago Cultural Center looks like a great place to take in art and also be a part of a thriving arts community! Looks like they host some excellent and diverse exhibits. I am especially impressed by the building’s architecture. What better venue to give art and artists a place of honor than a building that is itself a work of art? It’s also GREAT that admission is free and on several public transportation routs. I believe art should be accessible to everyone, and it looks like the Chicago Museum of Art recognizes that. Bravo!
admin
Yes, I love that the Chicago Cultural Center showcases art in a beautiful building that is accessible to all!
Diana
Chicago is one of my favorite places and cities ever to visit. I absolutely love this museum! I will be back in September.
Medha
The ceiling of the museum sure is impressive! I also love the music and movie exhibits, and the art exhibits. Never been to Chicago but this museum sure seems like a place that needs to be added in the itinerary!