The Chicago Art Institute is one of the oldest and most important art museums in America. Entry is US$32 per adult for out-of-state (Illinois) residents and it is highly encouraged that you reserve online for timed entry on the day you intend to visit.

We recently visited, finding the E. Monroe Street entrance much quicker than the front entrance on S. Michigan Ave. There is a mobile app entry feature for entering special exhibitions that is useful on the day. You can also make use of downloadable audio guides which you can listen to while viewing various highlight artworks during your visit.

Most impressive is the Institute's collection of 19th and 20th century American artworks including masterpieces like American Gothic (Grant Wood), Nighthawks (Edward Hopper) and Nightlife (Archibald J. Motley Jr.). You'll also find outstanding works by J.S. Sergeant, Whistler, O'keefe, Pollock, Warhol and other notable American artists.

There are beautiful Tiffany stained glass windows and lamps along with delightful turn of the century and Art Nouveau furniture.

The collection of European artworks is notable as well, highlighted by A Sunday on La Grande Jatte (Georges Seurat), The Old Guitarist (Pablo Picasso) and The Bedroom (Vincent Van Gogh) amongst many other masterpieces by a who's who of European Old Masters.

Depending on what you are here to see, you can make a 1-2 hour visit focusing on highlight masterpieces or spend the majority of the day browsing the various exhibition rooms throughout the museum.

There is a museum floor plan available on the Institute website that you can download and review prior to your visit. You can also pick up a brochure on the day that has the same map.