Overview

For all ages! • 2.5 Hours

Duration: 2.5 Hours
Cancellation Summary: 24 hour cancellation policy
Meeting Point: North Lion outside main entrance to museum on Michigan Ave.
Max Age: 102
Group Size: Maximum 12
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Description: Make the most of your visit to the Art Institute of Chicago with a local, Chicago-based company that knows the museum inside and out. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a beginner, this opportunity lets you learn about the museum and its pieces through the eyes of an art historian guide without the crowds. Enhance your visit by hearing the stories behind major works.
What is Included: - Skip-the-line Full-day Admission Ticket to Museum
- Early Access to Museum
- Expert Guide

What is not Included: - No Transportation
- No Guide Gratuities

Itinerary: Highlights usually Include: (unless on loan or being restored, etc.)
Hartwell Memorial Window – Tiffany Studios
Paris Street; Rainy Day – Gustave Caillebotte
Sunday on La Grande Jatte – Georges Seurat
The Bedroom – Vincent van Gogh
Sky Above Clouds – Georgia O’Keefe
Nighthawks – Edward Hopper
A Picture of Dorian Gray – Ivan Albright
American Gothic – Grant Wood
America Windows – Marc Chagall
The Chicago Stock Exchange Trading Floor - Louis Sullivan
The Old Guitarist – Pablo Picasso
Four Mona Lisas – Andy Warhol
Greyed Rainbow – Jackson Pollock
Highlights: A semi-private tour of the Art Institute offers the perfect balance between a personalized experience and the lively energy of a small group. With fewer participants, you’re able to enjoy more interaction with your guide, ask questions freely, and linger a little longer in front of the works that spark your curiosity. Unlike larger group tours, this tour feels conversational and flexible, allowing the guide to adapt the pace and focus to the interests of the group. This setting also makes it easier to connect with the stories behind the art, creating an intimate and memorable visit.

What truly makes the experience special is the leadership of a local expert guide who is not only knowledgeable but deeply passionate about the museum and its collections. Their insight goes far beyond labels on the wall—blending history, culture, and personal perspective to bring the artwork to life. From iconic masterpieces to hidden gems, your guide helps you see the collection through fresh eyes, weaving together connections between artists, styles, and the city of Chicago itself. It’s this combination of expert storytelling, close access, and the shared discovery within a small group that makes a semi-private tour of the Art Institute stand out.
Check in Details: Meet your guide outside the museum 15 minutes before the tour scheduled start time