Chicago Cultural Center

You look up at a Tiffany stained-glass dome and catch free art shows, concerts and tours in the Loop's 1897 People's Palace.

78 E Washington St · Chicago, IL

About Chicago Cultural Center

Opened in 1897 as Chicago's central public library, this Neoclassical landmark across from Millennium Park is run by the city as a free cultural center. In Preston Bradley Hall you stand beneath a Tiffany stained-glass dome of about 30,000 pieces, surrounded by white Carrara marble and mosaics of glass, gold leaf and mother of pearl. Its galleries show contemporary art, and the building hosts concerts, films, workshops and free tours.

#tiffany dome
#architecture
#free art exhibits
#the loop
#concerts

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What's around here?

The closest stops to Chicago Cultural Center, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sports & Outdoors
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Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean)
No admission fee
Snap your reflection in The Bean, splash at Crown Fountain, and catch free concerts downtown.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors
Theater & Events
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The Chicago Theatre
$25–$50
The marquee that means Chicago, catch a show or tour the gilded 1921 movie palace.
Transit: reachable by public transit
Steps awaySwitch it up: Theater & Events
Museums
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
Under $25
A non-profit military history museum and research library in Kenosha, Wisconsin, centered on the citizen soldier.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Sightseeing
Local Gem
Chicago Riverwalk
No admission fee
A 1.25-mile waterfront promenade of patios, wine bars, and skyline views along the Chicago River.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.3 mi awayMore like this
Sightseeing
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Buckingham Fountain
No admission fee
Grant Park's grand 1927 fountain fires its center jet skyward every hour, with music-and-lights shows after dusk.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.6 mi awayMore like this
Sightseeing
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Chicago Water Tower
No admission fee
See the castle-like limestone tower that survived the 1871 fire, now a small city art gallery.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.9 mi awayMore like this