Color Factory Chicago — Attraction in Chicago

I visited the New York City location in 2019 for my birthday and was genuinely impressed, it was a magical, memorable experience. Years later, I decided to surprise my fiancé with a similar experience at the Chicago location, complete with the birthday package, hoping to recreate that same sense of wonder. Unfortunately, the experience was a complete letdown, disorganized, underwhelming, and far from what we expected.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear this location lacked the professionalism and energy we experienced in NYC. The individual greeting guests at the entrance appeared disheveled and unkempt, clothing covered in pet hair, visibly soiled garments, and incoherent speech that suggested intoxication. It set a concerning tone for the rest of the visit.

Unfortunately, that lack of care extended throughout the venue. Most of the staff seemed disengaged and unenthusiastic, offering rushed, mumbled instructions with little interest or enthusiasm. The overall atmosphere was low-energy and apathetic, which significantly impacted the experience. The exhibits themselves were sparse, poorly maintained, and far less interactive than what we enjoyed in New York. The Chicago space also felt smaller and less thoughtfully curated. Unlike the NYC location, which included complimentary photo opportunities, Chicago now charges a minimum of $10 per photo, without any added value to justify the cost.

As for the birthday package, it was a major disappointment. The entire celebration consisted of a paper crown and a generic birthday pin, items that could easily be purchased at a dollar store. There was no effort to create a special or memorable moment, making the added cost feel like a blatant cash grab rather than a curated experience.

In short, the Chicago location felt rushed, cheap, and poorly managed. It lacked the magic, polish, and guest care that made the NYC visit so special. I wouldn’t recommend this location, especially for a birthday...

While visiting Chicago a few weeks ago my family and I went to the Color Factory on a whim, not really expecting too much. Not in a negative way, but because we couldn't have predicted just how amazing it would be. By the time we had left, each of us had been infected with a sort of childlike giddiness and joy that surprised and delighted us all. Between the professional staff, exciting activities, and the overall organization of the museum, it's really set the bar for what a fun, family or friendly outing should be. There's definitely something for the kiddies AND adults, however, what's unique about the Color Factory is their commitment to not isolating either age group. Instead, the exhibits that appealed to kids made ME feel like a kid again, and their ability to invoke that reaction out of people is beyond impressive. The quieter, more reflective rooms that invited you to analyze color more deeply were just as welcome, and you just have to admire the deliberateness behind each exhibit. I won't say too much about the individual rooms because I think it is best to walk into this place knowing as little as possible beforehand, but I will say that I found it exceedingly difficult to pick a favorite. All of them were so creative and amazing and tackled the concept of color in their own unique way. Overall, I feel like the Color Factory gave me a deeper appreciation for the beautiful, colorful world that we live in, and I couldn't be more excited to go again. To anyone thinking about going, JUST DO IT ALREADY! I promise you won't...

I came to visit my pregnant daughter for her 27th birthday and was looking for fun things to do in the city. I read the reviews and thought this place would be a good idea. Nope! In the ball pit room there is a little ice cream stand. The high school looking employees were eating the pistachio ice cream cones while they were handing out cones to the guests. My pregnant daughter asked for a pistachio cone; it looked good while the employees behind the counter would eat them, so why not try it?

The young lady working the stand told her that she couldn't give those out because they were "running low". Okay, so let me get this straight. We paid $45 to get into this place and we were denied an ice cream cone. If you are "running low" on inventory on that flavor why would you eat it in front of the paying customers? I bet you that the employees didn't have to pay for the cone. Next time you want to deny the paying customer something, go eat the inventory in private where we can't see you. The young lady got upset because my daughter asked her for that flavor cone and slammed it across the counter smashing the cone in front of my pregnant daughter's face. Great customer...