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Chicago Cultural Center
Museum, Event Space, and Cultural Center
The Loop, Chicago
The experts at Time Out Chicago and Explore Chicago recommend this place
"Free! Beautiful Tiffany dome and architecture."(6 Tips)
"In Preston Bradley Hall, just stand a li'l off to the west and look..."(5 Tips)
"Lovely interior with beautiful tiles & stained glass dome."(4 Tips)
"Art & photo exhibits, Tiffany glass main room is spectacular."(4 Tips)
144 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Shouku ShafeieAugust 28, 2017It has a very nice and gorgeous architecture mixed with different cultures!!! Do not miss it when you are checking downtown!Maybe you can find sth unique on the walls or ceiling!!!💖- Great place to spend an afternoon at. There's a regular rotation of new galleries/art installments/events. Vast majority of which are free!! Largest Tiffany glass dome in the world is in the building.
Negin NGNovember 17, 2014Beautiful old library, stunning interiors, cozy little gift shop where you can find amazing handmade stuff and last but not least, free performances. Grab your lunch and witness a nice show here.
Upvoted Aug 24
FilmsquareSeptember 14, 2013The Cultural Centre appears in The Untouchables (1987) as the location of the opera Al Capone attends, the courtroom exterior where Frank Nitti is frisked and the roof from which he is thrown.
Melody LeggeJuly 23, 2015What a neat place! So much culture and history here. This is a must for locals and tourists. Free exhibits and concerts. Good info on what to do around Chicago and tours are provided.
Hotel IndigoJanuary 24, 2013If the best things in life are free, then a stroll through the neighborhood is a must. For those who prefer a private and personalized tour, we recommend a Walk Chicago Tour leaving from here. Read more
Hotel IndigoJanuary 23, 2013If the best things in life are free, then a stroll through the neighborhood is a must. For those who prefer a private and personalized tour, Walk Chicago is our choice. Tours meet here. Read more
Stacy Bo BacyMarch 4, 2020Some small, free art to stumble upon but the glass dome by the Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company is truly spectacular.
Angelica DongalloMay 16, 2014Love love loved this building (both inside and out) and the exhibits/art. Check out the Mecca Flat Blues exhibit on the beautiful fourth floor through May 25.
Jeff ByrnesOctober 18, 2019An absolutely stunning set of exhibits, and well-framed discussion of de-colonializing elements of Chicago & the US.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleMarch 3, 2013This marvelous Neoclassical palazzo was the city's 1st library in 1897. Come for the Tiffany glass dome, stay for the free public programs. – Green Guide Editor
Johanne Beaudoin-VogelsangApril 7, 2017There is a free guided tour of the building that is definitely worth doing! It lasts about one hour and you learn a lot about the history of the building.
Jackie MannAugust 21, 2015As a local Chicagoan, this is my absolute favorite building in the entire city. I take everyone here and I wander around it whenever I have time. Incredible!
How many great things can I say about this place. Beauty, culture, art...and bathrooms and places to charge a cell phone...both premiums in this downtown area!!! Be sure to see the Tiffany Dome!!!
The exhibits are nothing to boast of, buy everything around them is pretty cool. The classic reading room w/ WiFi & outlets, the Tiffany dome, the Grand Army of the Republic hall, etc. Awesome.
HISTORYApril 7, 2010Completed in 1897 it was dedicated as the city's original Chicago Public Library. This monument was inspired by the neo-classical style of the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893.
Tour Through A LensJuly 31, 2013I LOVE this place for photography. Though, since the changeover, I miss the friendly Visitor Center staff and comfortable feel on the First Level. Inviting for foreigners.
Anamaria HernandezSeptember 14, 2014Incredible exhibit about Chicago designers and style! Be sure to check it on the fourth floor before it leaves in November. PS. It's FREE!
- Fodor's TravelAugust 21, 2015The architectural masterpiece, featuring a Carrara marble lobby and large windows, opened in 1897 and hosts more than 700 free exhibits, screenings, performances, and lectures every year.
Daniel DxlnNovember 4, 2015Such an inspiring and modern place for get together, meeting new people or visiting the awesome exhibition about architecture. 5/5
Jose SalinasJune 11, 2012On fourth floor. Morbid Curiosity It's free. Use your cell phone for a free audio tour. Art in real form!!! I like this galley better than the sex exhibit on Las Ramblas Barcelona. Go figure
Drop in on a Sunday afternoon, usually there is a free musical performance and there's always great exhibits to explore. It's one of the great FREE go-to spots in Chicago!
Joseph PalmerMarch 1, 2013Watch your step on the north stairs off of lobby in center of the building... there isn't much contrast and what you think is the last step might not be.. Otherwise an awesome place to view art.
lino brescia™August 19, 2017Free to walk in. Beautiful ceilings. Defn take a stroll when you see the bean.
Erica McKeehenJanuary 12, 2013The Small Ordinary Shop has many beautiful handmade items from local artisans. Clothing, candles, bags, prints, and jewelry -- I wish I could just buy it all.
Paul GallagherAugust 27, 2014Dip in here if visiting the city and have a few minutes to spare. The guide will point out the highlights, the domes on the 3rd floor.
My NguyenMarch 24, 2016If it's still there, see Theo Jansens "beasts"! If not, the local Chicagoan art exhibits are interesting.
Eliane vdBOctober 12, 2012Chicago's first library and home to the world's largest Tiffany-glass dome ceiling. It was designed in the neo-classical style popularized by the 1893 World's Fair.
Eva GuadarramaMarch 14, 2016This is a nice place to visit, and it has many free public event you can attend. The glass roof inside is beautiful.
- Kathryn AndersonFebruary 5, 2017Free! Beautiful Tiffany dome and architecture. Also, it also features rotating exhibits that are interesting.
Christopher BurdickSeptember 1, 2011I love going here for free concerts, events, and art exhibits. Also, the building itself is well worth the experience, complete with beautiful mosaic-tile ceilings.
Explore ChicagoSeptember 20, 2011The Chicago Cultural Center was the backdrop for several scenes from The Untouchables, including a performance of an opera in Preston Bradley Hall that moves Al Capone (Robert de Niro) to tears.- WorldbizSeptember 17, 2017Lovely interior with beautiful tiles & stained glass dome. Visual art exhibits. Free admission
- Explore ChicagoSeptember 20, 2011The Chicago Cultural Center was the backdrop for several scenes from The Untouchables, including Frank Nitti’s (Billy Drago) dramatic demise at the hand of federal agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Kostner).
This place hosts some great, free public events and is connected to the Pedway via an elevator to the basement.
Panos MarkopoulosDecember 31, 2018Just the architecture. Nice building. Work walking through its halls. Exhibitions this day were kind of boring.
- Keenan BroweJanuary 19, 2012In Preston Bradley Hall, just stand a li'l off to the west and look out the east windows, at Jay Pritzker Pavilion.I mean, stand towards one side of the awesome room and look at the awesome thing.
Julia StylesOctober 11, 2011There are so many art exhibits to check out in this building, and the architecture is beautiful. Make sure you check out the stained glass ceiling. It's free, so don't be shy.
Cécile FdApril 30, 2014Really nice place, beautiful marble stair. Enjoy the free entry and all activities (concerts, movies, dance...)- David OstrowAugust 20, 2016Art & photo exhibits, Tiffany glass main room is spectacular. Dame Myra Hess piano concerts there are great
Independent Lens | PBSAugust 29, 2011Did you know that ITVS Community Cinema offers free films every month at the Chicago Cultural Center? Click Read More to check out the listings. We hope to see you there! Read more
Shawn CallahanOctober 29, 2015Storycorps is located on the ground floor. Go in and record your story.
AmeliaNovember 21, 2014Always free, has some really intriguing exhibits you wouldn't see at a stodgy museum!
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Chicago Cultural Center
78 E Washington St (btwn N Michigan & N Garland Ct.)
Chicago, IL 60602
United States
Chicago, IL 60602
United States
Open until 7:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Fri–Sat
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Sun
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
(312) 744-6630
Features
Wi-Fi
Yes
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Places inside Chicago Cultural Center
- 9.0
"If you have not seen this, go to the Chicago Cultural Center, it’s an architectural gem & this enormous Tiffany dome is awesome. I’ve seen it many times & it never ceases to amaze me."
Lucille Fisher 
- 8.1
"Tons of great exhibits and amazing architecture inside - stained glass windows and elaborate decor."
Tana Babcock
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- 7.5
"You will not believe how awesome the Terrasse views are"
Nicholle Dombrowski - 8.1
"A fun museum that is easily missable when in Block 37. It does have surprisingly small floorspace from what you would expect from a museum."
Jonathan Ferrera - 8.3
"Learn about money and see more of it in one place. It is very informative and they even give out shredded money!"
Jonathan Ferrera
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