Chicago Cultural Center

78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Address:	78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Phone:	+1 312-744-6630
Site:	cityofchicago.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–7PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 10AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 13

Sarah Best

The Chicago Cultural Center is a beaux-arts treasure. There are two domes: one in GAR Rotunda on the North Side of the building, and a Tiffany stained glass dome in Preston Bradley Hall, on the South Side of the building. One thing you may notice while wandering around the building is that the two sides of the building dont quite match up. Thats because half of the building was originally designed for veterans of the Civil War: in the room just behind the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) dome, you can see Civil War battles inscribed in the walls. The other half was designed for the Chicago Public Library. Preston Bradley Hall is decorated with quotes from literature from all over the world. Look for circles with CPL written in them. While the building, which is free, is worth a visit in itself, there are also always lots of free contemporary art exhibitions and events going on that are also worth checking out. Its also a nice cool place to take a break from Millennium Park, which is across the street.

Pyra-Danny V

This place is free! It’s a great introduction to what makes Chicago—its people. My party wasn’t aiming to go here. As tourists, we entered because of the words ‘Visitor Center’ on a sign outside (The Visitor Center just has information pamphlets—lots of room for exhibits which it lacks) but we kept wandering down the hall. Local artists are given good-sized galleries to showcase their work (and they can really make use of the area). . Upstairs we merely joined an audience that had gathered and were treated to young flutists playing the background of a contemporary/ballet performance within a large, architecturally grand ballroom. Along the way we passed studios dedicated to Public Radio, learning progression, smaller theaters, more galleries… and of course the bits of art history embedded into the arches and columns decorated the place.

Tiffany Peterson

This is an excellent diamond in the rough across from Millennium Park. Oh, and Its Free! So if you have friends and/or family coming in from out of town, this is an excellent out of the way tourist spot. The Tile work and Tiffany dome (the largest in North America I believe) is eye catching and stunning. Being the old Chicago Library (1897) it still has the names of the old poets from history on the walls and makes a fantastic backdrop for pictures. It is also a great spot to get free booklets of what is happening in the city and surrounding areas. I usually drop by when they have been exhibiting art on the upper floors, it is usually international or eccentric work you wont see anywhere else. So I highly recommend checking it out when downtown Chicago.

Manouane Beauchamp

Cette institution dart est bien plus belle que ce que laissent penser sa description dans les guides de voyage. Il faut sy arrêter car non seulement lédifice est magnifique, mais en plus, les oeuvres dart qui sy retrouvent sont superbes (loeuvre qui se retrouve dans limmense puits de lumière est magnifique). La vue sur le Millenium Park à partir du 5e étage est superbe. Accès gratuit.

Laura Schofield

I modeled for an editorial photoshoot here with one of my favorite photographers, Jeff White. Ive worked events there from corporate get-togethers to extremely elegant wedding receptions. Ive also visited temporary art exhibits when passing the time between appointments downtown. Best thing about the Chicago Cultural Center? Its free and its a beautiful building with a great location downtown. Whether or not you like the event youre attending or the art exhibits on show, you wont be disappointed with the venue itself. The rotating collection of exhibits make this a stop that continues to intrigue after many many visits - there is always something new.

Thomas Besore

Its hard to believe that this place once faced the wrecking ball! Thanks to the preservation efforts of the Daley family, this wonderful building lives on to house some important programs of the city. The building serves as a gathering place, a place for visitors to learn about the city and set up free walking tours, and a venue for many different types of public programs. There are numerous performance and gathering spaces offering the public a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some respite in the middle of the crowded city. Dont miss the tiffany dome up on the third floor, nor the art galleries featuring a wide array of works by local artists.

Jesus Mauricio Lopez Benitez

Una forma excelente de apropiarse del arte. Son exhibiciones gratuitas de gran calidad y contenido, con un poco de suerte puedes encontrar trabajo até sorprendente, es una gran forma de acercar el arte actual a la gente. Es parte del espíritu de esta ciudad. Creo que todas las ciudades deberían aspirar a algo así.

Bob Benenson

The Chicago Cultural Center is a late 19th century building on Michigan Avenue, now located directly across from Millennium Park, which long served as the citys main public library. The center has rotating photography and art exhibits, music concerts, and a tourist information office. But the best reason to stop by is the building itself. Its Preston Bradley Hall, used as an events space, has a gorgeous Tiffany Dome that is reputed to be the largest in the world. Its Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Memorial has a smaller but beautiful stained glass dome created by the firm of Healy and Millet.

Sofía Núñez

Las exhibiciones pueden gustar o no pero el edificio es INCREIBLE. Tiene 2 cúpulas principales. Lámparas Candelabros y tranajos de mosaicos en pisos paredes techos y escaleras. Era la antigua biblioteca de Chicago. Recomiendo entrar. En el interior se puede descansar del bullicio de la ciudad.

John Wilkie

This is a great piece of Chicago History and architecture. Build as a library after the Chicago Fire to house the donation of books that the Queen of England sent (though it was completed many, many years after the fire). Though it is no longer a library, it is still an amazing place to visit and relax for a bit. There is an area where you can chill out and relax. There are also lots of awesome art galleries open for viewing by the public. If you have been touring around and you want an nice (and heated/air conditioned) place to hang out for a bit, stop inside.

Amy Ravit Korin

The Chicago Cultural Center is one of my favorite spots in the Loop. I love coming by and hanging out in their open work space, they have free wifi but note that you cant plug into their outlets since they dont want people poaching the electricity (ive been told to unplug more than once.) Besides housing some great tourism information, they have the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany domes which is over 35 feet in diameter, art galleries and a cafe on site, plus music performances during lunch a few days a week. Worth a stop for work or for pleasure!

Emily Z

Hands down one of my favorite places to spend a few extra minutes or hours in the city. Its free, its beautiful and they have rotating art exhibits that always blow me away. The stair cases here are art in their own right, old marble where you can see the steps of people past. There is an exhibit room on the lower level on the east side and a few upstairs as well. There are two amazing Tiffany domes, sometimes there are concerts under them as well! Great place for tourist to get information, great place for residents to enjoy culture! Everyone wins!

Katy Dondzila

This museum is one of my favorite in Chicago! First of all its free, which really is amazing. It is in the most beautiful building which you could stare at the architecture for hours. The exhibits they have are always really interesting, more interesting than you would think for it being a free muesum. On top of all of this there is free programs that happen daily like wired fridays and classical music shows. Its a great place to hang out when you are in the loop and looking for somewhere to wander or if you just want to feel happy about life for awhile.