Free art & shows in an 1897 Beaux-Arts building with vaulted lobby, mosaics & 2 stained-glass domes.
Chicago Cultural Center in Bensenville
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Amazing place. Beautiful historic building that used to be a library. And its free!
MoreBeautiful building with incredible history evident with every view including great ceilings and markings of literary giants
MoreAbsolutely beautiful! Amazing architecture! I walked all 5 floors.
Amazing community space for inspiration & quiet individual meetings or for getting away to read. Welcoming staff & incredible views. Go grab your morning or afternoon coffee and take a look around!
MoreFree to enter, but priceless architectural sights to behold. Definitely worth a visit to explore the different parts of the Chicago Cultural Center. Interesting exhibits galore throughout the space not to be missed. Beautiful interior with lots of picture worthy angles. Highly recommend during your stay in Chicago.
MoreThis place is absolutely stunning, I immensely loved the architecture, there are two beautiful domes that are jaw droppers for me. Theres art in every corner of this building. I am happy I didnt skip the visit to this place ✨️ it opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm and there are interesting exhibitions too.
MoreTook a tour of the Cultural Centre during my trip. Lots of history. It became my hub in the downtown area because its free entry, staff are friendly, they have comfortable chairs and free wifi! Its walking distance from the bean. John Hancock building, Milleneum Park architectural boat tours and a lot of other downtown tourist attractions. The bull statue outside also makes it an easy landmark to find when youre lost
MoreWhat a beautiful place! Its right across from millennium park and worth a walk across the street to see. There are several floors with absolutely beautiful artwork. There are mosaics, gorgeous architecture, and several art galleries you can walk through. Theres also an amazing Tiffany dome that is the largest in the country. Did I mention the best part? Its free to get in.
MoreOne of the most amazing buildings I have ever had the privilege to view. I walked in to see what might be on display and a chance to sit and rest my feet. I was rewarded with a hidden, carefully faceted gem in the heart of the city, and completely free, at that. If you appreciate detailed monumental architecture, put this building on your bucket list, pictures do not do it justice.
MoreThere are 2 domes in the buildings. Beautiful and elegant interior design.Worth a visit.
MoreBeautiful place,, looks like a Palace..the Domes are Gorgeous ❤️❤️
The architecture of this place is incredible.It never stops amazing me.A great quiet place to chill and study/read.I love coming here for pictures.Occasionally they will have expos happening in the different levels.Definitely a must when you visit Chicago!
MoreAlways a treat! Was a little disappointed there werent any exhibits open at the time I went.
MoreThey wasn’t much to see because some of the exhibits were not allowed to view. It’s a beautiful place inside.
MoreAmazing Art and history of Chicago Fire.
Unique and beautiful free public space with art galleries and event spaces. This was a great way to spend an hour when it was raining.
MoreAbsolutely stunning, a public place, accessible to all, for free, real architectural gems - long live democracy!
MoreGorgeous building!! A great way to spend an afternoon.
This building features two of the greatest interiors you’re going to find anywhere. Constructed in the 1890s as a multipurpose building it was both Chicago’s main library and a memorial for the “Grand Army of the Republic” which were the Union Civil War veterans. The library features stain glass by the Tiffany Company. The GAR room feature stain glass by Millet and Healy. Both are magnificent and both have been recently restored allowing natural light to flow through the two stained glass domes. The cultural center is free to enter. Do not miss this when you visit Chicago.
MoreThey have clean accessible, bath rooms, a cafe and free foreign films on Wednesdays (it is better to register for tickets ahead. Also and most importantly they sometimes have art exhibits that rival the ones at the art institute and MCA in quality and they are FREE TO SER.
MoreA welcoming and calming space. As well as being beautifully decorated, the lobbies have lots of comfortable seating and power sockets, free WiFi and a drinking water fountain. A great place to kill time and get away from the hustle and bustle. The "Buddy" shop inside which sells arts and crafts from the community is also well worth a look. A thoughtful use of a grand old building.
MoreSuch a beautiful place and its free! I recommend to stop in this iconic monument,
MoreHidden gem! Explore all 5 levels if you can, architecture is amazing and the art galleries are worth taking a look at. Great view of the bean from the upper floors.
MoreThis was a fun, free place to explore with my toddler. The architectural detail is brilliant. I’m glad we didn’t bring a stroller. We climbed all the stairs and stopped at each level to take in the views.
MoreBeautiful architecture with 2 stained glass domes, exhibitions, tables and chairs for you to relax, and free admission, what else can you ask for!
MoreAlways a great experience! A cozy, welcoming and beautiful environment.
After 12million restoration for two years the center reopen since April. I attended free tour at Thursday 1:15 pm, knew more about the history and architecture. two doms look so colorful now.
MoreFrom outside this cultural center looks pretty much ordinary, just like any other neoclassic bldg.However, when you enter youre blown away with stunning interiors with mosaics, chandeliers and the most amazing Tiffany glass dome, along with several exhibits.I was greatly surprised it is free to visit.
MoreTheir cultural center is free, so if you have time or need to duck out of the rain, it’s a fine place to stop. The building detail is spectacular. There isn’t much to see, but they do have two art galleries you can walk through. Elevators are available.
MoreI’ve come here 1 time previously, but have never seen the domes before. I highly recommend spending some time in the room with the Tiffany dome!
MoreLove this place! I feel so welcomed when I walked inside. The man at the information was knowledgeable and willing to help answer any questions I had. I wish there were more places like this in Chicago.
MoreStunning building great architectural features both inside and outside. Dont miss this place if visiting Chicago.
MoreThe building has 2 main entrances. You can get lost inside but the staff is everywhere to help you.The Chicago fire exhibition was a powerful and intense experience. There is so much history and story in just those pictures.There was also another exhibition (Colescottthat I truly enjoyed although I must say I never heard about the artist before. Full of life, vivid colours and a lot of history too that tell much of his life. Sharing some pics but they do not do justice
MoreIts free! If you have even the slightest interest in architecture or beautiful buildings its worth popping in and exploring. Absolutely beautiful
MoreA gem in the loop. Idk what I was expecting when we walked in but this place is amazing. The exhibits were small but impactful. We loved the Robert Colescott exhibit. It was my first time seeing a black woman portrayed in a liechtenstein esqe painting. No words for the Tiffany ceiling. I can’t wait to go back with a book & just read. Buddy’s was closed when we went so definitely have to go back for that too.
More"An elegant building from a more civilized age". In all seriousness, one of the most gorgeous buildings I have ever had the privilege to walk the halls and staircases of. I came for an architecture exhibition and stayed for the actual architecture. A hidden, carefully faceted gem in the heart of the city. A building that makes the beauty of the exhibits within pale in comparison. And completely free, at that. If you appreciate detailed monumental architecture, put this building on your bucket list.
MoreCool architecture, the Tiffany dome, interior stairs and mosaics are compelling. The exhibits going on right now are limited and what is on offer is pretty lackluster compared to the surroundings.
MoreWent to the Chicago Cultural Center to visit the exhibition on "CHICAGO: Where Comics Came to Life (1880-1960)." Simply, worth the trip! The building is a gorgeous building with rooms with beautiful details. Also, the exhibit is worth your time to see the wide ranging influence Chicago has played on comics. Even though it is free it would be worth a visit if it charged admission!
MoreGreat City Cultural Asset. Former Public Library decorated with beautiful inlaid tile work, Tiffany stain glass domes. Rotating Art & interactive exhibits, Concerts, films, Senior Center and free to all! 6/2021 Update: With the reopening they added a Local Artisan shop “Buddy” and believe they give the artist 100% of proceeds, bought a great top and honey cultivated from the roof top hives.
MoreIf you are looking for an interesting museum, that you can visit for free - highly recommend Chicago Cultural Center.The exhibitions here are about everything. Ive got a chance to see one about an architectural revolution of 1950s I guess. And it was powerful.Must see!Very convenient location across the Millennium park.
MoreThis Chicago historical center is architecturally stunning! Definitely worth visiting. This week I went on a tour of the building and saw several architectural exhibits for the Bi-Centennial. One exhibit, especially moving, is dedicated to gun violence. It was hard to believe, at one time, city officials considered tearing the building down☹️. Luckily that didn’t happen.
MoreGreat place with equaly great architecture. interesting features wherever you walk. We loved the Tiffany dome and the stairs decorated with glass and shells. They hold classical music concerts and cultural events so check the schedule if you would like to attend. They also had a few exhibits mostly political we were Not interested in that.
MoreGreat spot that has the mixed feeling of a grand library and a museum. Lots of exhibits and showings here on a wide variety of subjects concerning Chicago from modern art to modern film. A little bit of historical information used for setting the scene for the needs and plans for the future. Unique exhibits covering modern art, to easy-to-understand graphical public notices. Some of the special exhibits are also quite unique with one on Brazil’s São Paulo region’s housing costs and how micro apartments are being created to lower housing costs and make it more affordable for the vast majority of low income residents. Completely free so there’s no excuse to not swing by.
MoreLots of spaces to wander through in this building, architecture is interesting hints of roman-ticism strewn through some of the art. Theres a lot of appropriation mentioned in the building which can feel a little overwhelming and desensitizing. Its also free to visit so go and walk around.
MoreIf you love Art Deco architecture, mosaic tile details and ornamentation as this is a fantastic place to visit for free. The galleries are disjointed but vast in their offerings to serve many different groups of visitors. The Tiffany glass dome is by far the most impressive aspect of the building showcasing elegance and grandeur that is just not replicated these days. Other than a very rude security guard I enjoyed myself immensely.
MoreThis place is a real gem of Chicago and its right across the street from Millennium Park attractions. No visitor should miss this amazing attraction that is so unusual and breathtaking. The mosaic jewel like Tiffany structures are absolutely beautiful. Its a photographers paradise. Every floor and each room has something beyond amazing in it. Even in the cold weather its the perfect free place to visit because it is inside and warm. You can get incredible views of Millineum park from the upper windows there that are just beautiful and makes for great photos. Besides the structure of the building there are also always great cultural events and art exhibits there and they also give tours. Make sure you have an hour to spend there to take in the amazing views and structures there. It is definitely a hidden gem of Chicago more should know about its easy assess and great location.
MoreOne of the most beautiful places I visited was actually the Chicago Cultural Center. Its a free building to enter and explore and the architecture and everything inside it is just beautiful. Its definitely something to look at. There was even an art exhibit going on at the time, featuring Keith Haring, whose work I recognize all over NYC. They had an art table set up for you to draw your own art and stick it on the wall.
MoreThe Chicago Cultural Center, formerly the Chicago Public Library, is truly a beautiful building! The two main points of interest are the two huge glass mosaic domes in the GAR Memorial Hall and the Preston Bradley Hall. There is an art exhibit on the top floor and there are several other artworks featured throughout the building. They offer free guided tours at various hours throughout the day. Its definitely a great place to take beautiful photos and they even have an event center!
MoreGorgeous building in the centre of Chicago complete with a Tiffany Dome which has to be seen. Good for a wander or get someone to show you around. There are regularly free concerts and talks on here so you might just wander in something is on.
MoreThis place was gorgeous! I have been to Chicago numerous times and a friend took me recently to see the Tiffany Dome and I was SO glad we went. 1it doesnt cost anything to walk around the building 2it is truly gorgeous, all areas are fully of astounding opulence and architecture. 3there is a daily tour, we didnt take it, but I will next time. Definitely a must visit in Chicago!
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