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All 636 Chicago Attractions »

Chicago Cultural Center

78 East Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60601
312 744.6630
As featured in 3 days in Chicago and 1 other guide
Ranked #1 of 124 shopping in Chicago
4.5 of 5 stars 204 Reviews
Type: Architectural Buildings, Art Galleries
Activities: Group tours/city tour
Fee: No
Owner description: The Chicago Cultural Center is the nation’s first free municipal cultural center and one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning...... more » Owner description: The Chicago Cultural Center is the nation’s first free municipal cultural center and one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building, opened in 1897 as the city’s first public library, is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, and annually presents hundreds of free cultural exhibits and performances. The building also houses a Visitor Information Center, gift shop, and café. Admission is free. « less
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204 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    10
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Date Rating
Oakridge, Oregon
Top Contributor
52 reviews 52 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 26, 2012 NEW
1
person found this review helpful

We became aware of the Cultural Center when we met our Chicago Greeter. Got to see much of it, but not all before we did our tour. Went back to see the art so we could really take it in. There were many different sections of art--photos of decaying buildings on the cusp of demolition/saving, multimedia textiles, paintings, and a... More

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See 17 more reviews by tuc7k for Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 24, 2012 NEW

we went to the cultural center for tourist info and met up with a man giving tours. We followed him and saw beautiful fixtures, and art on the walls. I never noticed it before and really learned something. Well worth your time and free. More

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See 15 more reviews by SMC48 for Chicago
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 23, 2012 NEW

Saw Jacky Terrason and the Chicago Cultural Center... what a wonderful concert! More

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See 3 more reviews by mellah124 for Chicago
Bethel, Connecticut
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW
2
people found this review helpful

The Cultural Center is amazing. I had been to Chicago twice before and had walked right by the building without knowing what it was. It's right across the street from Millennium Park, so you will most likely be in the area anyway. The building says Chicago Library on the outside, but is now the Chicago Cultural Center. Start at the... More

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See 3 more reviews by LookingforLisa for Chicago
Orange County, California
Top Contributor
117 reviews 117 reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

Go up into the upper levels and check out the incredible Tiffany windows. Some beautiful architectural details throughout. Clean bathroom inside. Worth a few minutes to walk through. More

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See 14 more reviews by bubbles911 for Chicago
Alexandria, VA
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 21, 2012 NEW

Go visit both sides of this interesting building- half cultural center, half former library. Beautiful building and interesting history. More

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See 5 more reviews by avb for Chicago
Edmonton, Canada
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012

Lots of maps, a bathroom, and photo exhibits. This is where to meet up for your free Chicago Greeter tour More

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See 6 more reviews by thriftycanuck49 for Chicago
Dorchester Ontario
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We had the opportunity of visiting the Chicago Cultural Centre with our Chicago Greeter who was an expert in design and architecture. She pointed out many aspects of the design and history of this building that we might not otherwise have known had we just wandered through the building on our own. The beautiful Tiffany stained glass domes and the... More

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See 3 more reviews by canadiankathie for Chicago
Walla Walla, Washington
Top Contributor
86 reviews 86 reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2012

This is the old Chicago Library on one side and a war Memorial on the other. It has the larges self supporting stained glass dome in the world. The mosaics throughout the building are amazing. It will take just a few minutes of your day, it is free and totally worth the time. More

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See 8 more reviews by pterbd for Chicago
Detroit, Michigan
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2012

The agriculture design of the building is beautiful. The stain glass domes takes your breath away. This is free. The basically is you like agriculture design come here. Few galleries but that is it. More

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See 3 more reviews by wkelly67 for Chicago

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