Chicago, Illinois - Art Institute of Chicago

Located next to Loop and Grant Park in Chicago Illinois, the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the best fine arts museums in America. Known for its large collection of American art and Impressionist, it also has a large collection of older master works. This collection has given the museum international acclaim. West of Grant Park, in the Chicago Landmark Historic Michigan Boulevard District, the museum ranked as the 3rd most popular cultural attraction in the Chicago area.

It was originally built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It was to be used as the World's Congress Auxiliary building. The Art Institute took occupancy of the space after the Exposition closed. The building, today, is associated with the School of Art Institute in Chicago.

The western entrance to the institute on Michigan Avenue has a pair of bronze lion statues. This display was created by Edward L. Keyneys. Unofficially named: the south lion and the north lion, the south lion "stands in an attitude of defiance, while the north lion is "on the prowl". Whenever a local team makes the playoffs, the lions show their support as Institute staff dress up the lions in the team colors.

Straddling open-air railroad tracks, the Art Institute Museum building is divided into two blocks, an east and west block. The tracks, that were previously used my the South Shore Line and the Metra Electric Line, separate the museum into the two divides. The two section are connected via a windowless gallery, which stretch from one divide the the other.

Guided Tour Presents Chicago
This is a collection of articles that describe tourist activities in Chicago, Illinois.