The Art Institute of Chicago

At the Art Institute, an hour is barely enough to whet your appetite. The museum brings together works from many periods and cultures, from antiquities to modern art; its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries draw many visitors, but the route also passes through American, Asian, European and contemporary art. The listing checked showed 4.8/5 from 38,545 opinions. Comments celebrate the breadth of the collection and familiar masterpieces, while often warning that the museum is large enough to require prioritising rather than trying to see everything.

Names such as Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, Grant Wood and Edward Hopper help orient a first visit; the main building and Modern Wing are best enjoyed gallery by gallery, not as a checklist of paintings. General admission is sold by date, and the museum reserves the first hour of the day for members; prices depend on residency and ticket type, so check the official page before paying. Choose one area or period for a first visit and leave time to rest: exploring the museum can take much of a day.

The museum is at 111 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603; phone (312) 443-3600. It opens Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday until 8 p.m. and Friday to Sunday until 5 p.m.; it is closed Tuesday. The main entrance faces Michigan Avenue beside Millennium Park, with bus and rail routes a few blocks away. To enjoy culture without stretching the budget, visit the park and Chicago Cultural Center first—both are free—and save the museum for a day when you can give it more time.