Very specific exhibits. Furniture, jewelery, watercolors, mosaics, china, and glass art. Indoor courtyard for tea and music. In the evening, there were several violinists to treat the ears of the attendees.

The Art Institute is a beautiful building housing a wonderful collection of art and sculpture. I love the gift shop too! I recommend that you check there website in advance to check on special exhibits.

This is the best all-around art museum in the city. I have been a member of the Art Institute since 1987. Someone asked me why I would want to look at the same paintings over and over again. I asked him if he liked a song, would he not want to hear it again and perhaps appreciate subtle nuances each time?

After greeting the two lions standing guard at its main Michigan Avenue entrance, you can see quite a variety of art, including its impressive Impressionist collection. There is usually a special exhibit going on, with some that will require a special entry ticket. Tuesday is still the day for free admissions, but the late day is now on Thursdays when the museum closes at 8pm. The weekend crowds can be stifling, hindering your enjoyment of the Picassos, Renoirs, and Rembrandts. You will need to check in any bags much larger than a camera tote for a dollar fee, or you can use one of the small coin-operated lockers (there is also a second coat check at the Columbus entrance in back).

Everyone may have their favorite artworks or artists, as there is a lot of variety at this large museum. I like to visit and re-visit the recreated Louis Sullivan-designed Chicago Stock Exchange room, the serene Asian Art room designed by architect Tadao Ando, the moody stained glass windows by Chagall, and, of course, Seurat's pointillism masterpiece "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte". Architectural exhibits are tucked away in the peculiar u-shaped gallery on the second floor next to pieces salvaged from notable buildings in Chicago. Check out the miniature Thorne rooms on the lower level for a change of pace.

A new entrance designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano is planned for the near future along Monroe Street. There is a restaurant and a cafeteria for a light bite. The busy gift shop has a fun selection of gifts. Have a seat on the steps in front of the Art Institute and enjoy one of the great people-watching spots in the city.

When I was very little my absolute favorite museum was the Art Institute. I was in love with the Miniature Rooms and used to beg my father to take me there every time I visited him and so I decided to share my love with the nieces.

The miniatures are complete and fully detailed European and American rooms from various periods in history - after the 1700s I think. There are over fifty individual rooms and each is a little bit of perfection. They were all given to the museum by one donor - though I don't know if she had them made for herself or specifically for the museum.

If you've ever had a lust for dollhouses (my particular childhood obsession), furniture or interiors, you should enjoy this exhibit and fortunately yes, it went over quite well with the girls.

There are many exhibits designed specifically for children in the museum, on the bottom level is a special touching exhibit for kids, originally it was designed for the blind I think. Anyway, there are several pieces from the museum's collection that you can touch and feel - as opposed to viewing from across the room. Another huge hit with the kids.

AfterHours is held the third Thursday of every third month from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Visitors can explore the galleries at their own pace. It is a hip event especially for 20- to 40-something singles. I would recommend it for sure.

I went to see the Medici, Michelangelo, and the Art of Late Renaissance Florence. The exhibition was quite crowded that night so I did not have the patience to see everything in the detail that I normally would. Nevertheless, it was fun because the night had an Italian theme with Italian music played by live entertainers. There was delicious appetizers like mini bruscetta and of course, vino or other cocktails for a fee.

The museum shop was open and I was pleased to find some super bargains on posters from previous exhibitions--something I really like to collect.

The Art Institute presents AfterHours on a quarterly basis for a post-work celebration of art and entertainment. Each AfterHours program is centered around a theme highlighting either the museum’s permanent collection or a special exhibition like the Medicci one. There are gallery walks presented by museum curators, music, cocktails, and complimentary food included with the entrance fee of $15 for non-members and $10 for museum members.