Chicago :: The Art Institute

Chicago Vacation :: For Spring Break 2014 we took the kids to Chicago for three nights and four days.  We crammed as much fun as we could into those four days and had adventures all over the Windy City.  I’m going to share our adventures with you in a series of installments so you can see pictures from our excursions and maybe find some inspiration for planning your own trip to Chicago!

 The Art Institute of Chicago ::

On day three of our trip to Chicago we decided it would be best to divide and conquer the city.  In other words, we didn’t think the boys would appreciate a trip to the Art Institute because of all the museums we had already visited.  So I took the boys and went off to the Zoo and Navy Pier while Michael and Ella headed to the Art Institute.  I was really bummed to miss this adventure, but I know that the boys just had too much energy for quiet touring.  I missed out on seeing some amazing works of art, but thankfully my daughter the junior photographer took plenty of pictures to show me what they saw.  I loved seeing the museum through her eyes.    And a visit to the Art Institute is definitely on my list for our next trip to Chicago.

The Art Institute began in 1879 and now consists of 8 buildings with about 300,000 works of art!  There are some amazing treasures and masterpieces within it’s walls.   The Art Institute is within walking distance of downtown Chicago, and Millennium Park is just outside of the museum.  Michael and Ella enjoyed a picnic in the park and took pictures next to the famous Cloud Gate (otherwise known as “the bean”).  They also searched for geocaches near the museum and park.  It was a lovely father-daughter day.  I’ll fill you in on my day with the boys later.

 The Art Institute Through Ella’s Eyes ~

Water Lily Pond by Monet

The Frog Man (Le Grenouillard) by Jean-Joseph Carries

The Bedroom – Vincent van Gogh

America Windows by Chagall

Monet’s Water Lilies

American Gothic

Equestrienne by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Millennium Park ~

Cloud Gate

Can you spot Michael and Ella in this picture?

Geocache!

More Posts in the Chicago Series:

Field Museum of Natural History

Lincoln Park Zoo

Museum of Science & Industry

Navy Pier

Shedd Aquarium

The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

Where We Dined in Chicago