The Art Institute of Chicago in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the Art Institute's 10 key stops in this order: Chagall windows (gallery 144), Caillebotte (201), Seurat (240), Van Gogh (241), Monet (243), Hopper and Wood (262-263), Picasso (391) and the Thorne Miniature Rooms. Start at 11am opening.
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The route: 10 stops in 2 hours
Gallery numbers can change with loans and reinstallations; the museum map shows where each work is. Timings are approximate and include walking.
- 1
0:00 · Michigan Avenue entrance
The bronze lions
Start as everyone does, with the two lion sculptures at the main entrance, symbols of the museum since the 19th century.
- 2
0:05 · Gallery 144 · level 1
America Windows (Marc Chagall)
A set of blue stained-glass windows created to mark the US bicentennial, a burst of colour before heading upstairs.
- 3
0:20 · Gallery 201 · level 2
Paris Street; Rainy Day (Gustave Caillebotte)
An almost life-size city scene that looks like a photograph, and one of the museum's most recognisable images.
- 4
0:35 · Gallery 240 · level 2
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat)
Thousands of dots of colour compose a Sunday in the park. Move close and then step back to see it change.
- 5
0:50 · Gallery 241 · level 2
The Bedroom (Vincent van Gogh)
Chicago's version of the Arles bedroom. Note the flat colours and the skewed perspective.
- 6
1:00 · Gallery 243 · level 2
Water Lilies (Claude Monet)
One of the Giverny series, with the pond's light turned into near-abstract paint.
- 7
1:15 · Gallery 262 · level 2
Nighthawks (Edward Hopper)
A late-night diner scene, an icon of American urban loneliness.
- 8
1:25 · Gallery 263 · level 2
American Gothic (Grant Wood)
The farmer with his pitchfork and his daughter before a Gothic house: the most parodied image in American art.
- 9
1:40 · Gallery 391
The Old Guitarist (Pablo Picasso)
From the Blue Period. A hunched, elongated figure that shows the young Picasso's compassion.
- 10
1:50 · Lower level · gallery 11
Thorne Miniature Rooms
Dozens of interiors at 1:12 scale tracing period styles. If you have time left, it is the best farewell.
Tips to make the most of it
- Arrive at 11am: the first hour is the quietest in the Impressionist rooms.
- On Thursday evenings, do the route in reverse to avoid school groups.
- Check the map before you go in: works move rooms for loans and conservation.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any work not on this list to hear its story.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Art Institute in 2 hours?
Yes, if you focus on the masterpieces. This route covers Impressionism, Hopper, Wood and Picasso in about 2 hours.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritise La Grande Jatte (240), Nighthawks (262), American Gothic (263) and Monet (243). That is about 60 minutes including walking.
Which entrance should I use?
The main Michigan Avenue entrance, under the lions. Check the official site for any other open entrances.
Is the Fast Pass worth it?
The Fast Pass ($40 for adults) lets you skip entry lines and speeds up access to ticketed exhibitions. It's worth it on busy days.