Overview

2.5 hrs | Skip-the-line tour | Discover centuries of Art

Duration: 2.5 hours
Cancellation Summary: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of your tour.
Meeting Point: Next to the iconic lion statues (the lion on the left when facing the museum) outside the main entrance on South Michigan Avenue
Max Age: 99
Group Size: Maximum 8 people
Accessibility: Near public transportation | Stroller accessible | Not wheelchair accessible
Description: Discover one of the world's greatest art collections on this intimate, small-group tour of the Art Institute of Chicago. Home to over 300,000 works spanning centuries and continents, this museum is a treasure trove of artistic innovation, from the European masters to American icons. Led by an expert guide, this 2.5-hour experience will take you straight to its most celebrated masterpieces.

Stand before Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, where thousands of carefully placed dots bring a Parisian park to life. Admire the museum’s collection of European modernist masterpieces, featuring works by Monet, Renoir, Chagall, Picasso, and van Gogh. Encounter American Gothic, Grant Wood’s iconic depiction of rural life, and step into the world of Nighthawks, Edward Hopper’s haunting vision of an all-night diner. Marvel at Chagall’s America Windows, where rich blues and intricate stained glass pay tribute to the arts in the United States.

By the end of this tour, you’ll have journeyed through history, discovering how these groundbreaking artists captured the human experience in ways that continue to inspire today. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a first-time visitor, this tour offers an unforgettable deep dive into one of America’s most prestigious museums.
What is Included: • SEMI-PRIVATE MUSEUM TOUR (with Reserved Entry Tickets Included)

• "SEMI-PRIVATE" MEANS GROUP SIZE IS NEVER MORE THAN 12 GUESTS MAXIMUM

• PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE

• DURATION 2.5 HOURS

• ALL ENTRANCE FEES (with Reserved Entry Included!)
What is not Included: • Tour Price Does NOT Include Hotel Pickup or Drop-Off (We Recommend UBER or Taxi)

• Tour Does NOT Include Gratuities (OPTIONAL)

• Temporary exhibitions NOT included

Itinerary: A 2.5 hour tour of The Art Institute of Chicago with one of our expert guides.
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Highlights: Highlights Generally Include:

• European Modernist Masterpieces
  Explore an outstanding collection of works by Monet, Renoir, Chagall, Picasso, and Van Gogh, showcasing the revolutionary styles that shaped modern art.

• Georges Seurat – A Sunday on La Grande Jatte
  Step into Seurat’s world of Pointillism with this iconic masterpiece, where tiny dots of color blend to create a vibrant scene of Parisian leisure along the Seine.

• Grant Wood – American Gothic
  One of America’s most famous paintings, this portrait of a stern farmer and his daughter captures the resilience of rural America during the Great Depression.

• Edward Hopper – Nighthawks
  Step into Hopper’s cinematic vision of urban solitude in this masterpiece, where an all-night diner glows under artificial light, capturing the loneliness and mystery of city life.

• Marc Chagall – America Windows
  Marvel at Chagall’s luminous stained-glass windows, a breathtaking tribute to the arts in America, filled with dreamlike imagery and dazzling blues.
  Check in Details: • It is imperative that you provide us with guest's MOBILE PHONE NUMBER (including country code).

• Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the tour's scheduled departure time.

• Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour for any URGENT matters. Please reply to their message.
Their contact details are also sent to your email by the morning of your tour.

Babylon Tours
Phone / Text 0019179990380
Web: www.babylontours.com
Mail: babylontoursinfo@gmail.com
What to Bring: • Bring photo ID or at least a copy or image of Passport ID.
• Recommended Dress: Comfortable and weather appropriate.
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Special Requirements: Children under a 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Restrictions: • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level.
• No large bags or suitcases are allowed inside the museum, only handbags or small thin backpacks are allowed through security.
Disclaimers: The Art Institute of Chicago may experience occasional closures without prior notice from museum management. In the event of an unannounced closure or delayed opening exceeding one hour past the scheduled tour time, we will offer guests an appropriate alternative. Refunds or discounts are not available in these cases.

Please note that appropriate attire is required for entry into certain sites on this tour.

Only handbags or small, slim backpacks are permitted inside the museum. Large bags or suitcases are not allowed.

Due to heightened security measures, lines may occasionally form even for tours with 'Skip the Line' or 'No Wait' access.

Certain museum rooms require visitors to remain quiet or limit speech. In these cases, your guide will provide necessary information before entering.

Museum collections are subject to change throughout the year.

This tour/activity accommodates a maximum of 8 travellers.

Latecomers risk missing their tour.
Faqs: What time should I arrive for my tour?
- Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

How will I recognize my guide?
- Your guide will be wearing a Babylon badge on a Babylon lanyard. They will also reach out to you on the morning of the tour to confirm the meeting point.

Are tickets included in the price?
- Yes! All tickets for the permanent collection are included and organized by Babylon Tours.

When will I receive my guide’s contact information?
- Your guide will reach out to you the morning of the tour by text and email. Please ensure you have provided your correct telephone number (including country code) and email beforehand. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox.

Are you Viator?
- No, Viator is a booking platform and Online Travel Agent. They sell our tours, but we are Babylon Tours, a Tour Operator currently offering tours in 12 major cities worldwide!

Can I reschedule my tour?
- Yes! You can reschedule free of charge if you notify us at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. For rescheduling within 24 hours, a fee applies to cover guide payments, unused tickets, and company costs (no profit is made on this fee). If you booked through a booking platform like Viator or GetYourGuide, you must reschedule directly with them.

What do I do if I’m running late?
- Please inform your guide as soon as possible. As this is a semi-private tour, it must start on time. If your tour is ticketed, the guide will reply to your message with the tickets so you can enter the museum or monument on your own and try to join the guide inside if possible. Please note that once the tour begins, the guide will not be able to regularly check their phone.

What do I do if I have a medical issue and can’t attend the tour?
- Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380. Our refund policy does not cover medical issues that arise within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

What do I do if my transport is canceled and I can’t attend the tour?
- Please let us know immediately by email to babylontoursinfo@gmail.com or by texting or calling +1 917 999 0380 . Our refund policy does not cover transportation issues within 24 hours of the tour’s start. In such cases, please contact your travel insurance provider. We can provide a document confirming you were unable to attend.

Can I get my tickets before the tour and meet the guide inside?
- No, as the museum is large, locating the guide inside is challenging. The guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and accompany the group inside. However, you are welcome to stay in the museum after the tour ends!

Can I stay in the museum after the tour finishes?
- Yes, you are welcome to stay in the museum until it closes.

I don’t see my tickets in the email. How can I download them?
- Your guide will have your tickets. As long as you bring proof of ID, the guide’s name and number, and arrive at the meeting point on time, the guide will assist you with entry.