Cloud Gate, Chicago: Address, Phone Number, Cloud Gate Reviews: 4.5/5
Cloud Gate
Cloud Gate
4.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Read more
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Cloud Gate
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Millennium Park
How to get there
- Randolph/Wabash • 4 min walk
- Adams/Wabash • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,246 within 3 miles
Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe
4,852
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Cherry Circle Room
292
0.1 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Acanto
510
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Intelligentsia Coffee
405
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
The Gage
2,316
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly
Remington's
519
315 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Contemporary
Pittsfield Cafe
266
0.1 mi$ • American • Cafe • Diner
Goddess and the Baker, Wabash
442
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • American • Cafe
Russian Tea Time
606
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Russian • Eastern European
Cindy's
988
500 ft$$ - $$$ • American • African • International
Attractions
546 within 6 miles
Chicago Jazz Festival
13
164 ftMusic Festivals
Millennium Park
24,876
211 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Crown Fountain
2,129
353 ftFountains
Chicago Cultural Center
3,031
0.1 miArt Galleries • Architectural Buildings
Harris Theater
63
526 ftTheaters
BP Pedestrian Bridge
42
369 ftBridges
Chicago Skyline
716
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Millennium Monument
68
369 ftParks • Monuments & Statues
The Art Institute of Chicago
24,283
0.2 miArt Museums
Chicago Blues Festival
31
342 ftMusic Festivals
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
18,151 reviews
Excellent
13,020
Very good
4,182
Average
859
Poor
66
Terrible
26
Andrpl
8 contributions
Friends
That was my second visit and I was so disappointed this time because the park now opens only at 8 am until 9 pm. For a big city like Chicago with that nice sculpture I couldn’t believe these hours. I got up early tans hoped to get great pictures of the bean with the beautiful sunrise but security kicked us out. At 8 am the sun was out but the pinky clouds were gone. It was such a beautiful sunrise and the reflection of the pinky clouds could have been my super great photo of the bean but the city of Chicago destroyed that experience. The same for the night. If you are into photography you don’t want a ton of people in your photo. But with these hours there is no chance that you could get a photo just with the bean or with yourself or your company.
The photo here is from the opposite side outside the park.
The photo here is from the opposite side outside the park.
Written November 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maya
Edinburgh, UK276 contributions
Stoped by millennium park to see ‘the bean’. I had seen it before but couldn’t walk by without seeing it again. It is very impressive in person and is great to see up close. The surrounding park is lovely to walk round on a sunny day, there are many other sculptures. Do be prepared for the crowds, I’d recommend going at the start or the end of the day for the fewest people in you’re pictures.
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Amanda R
Staten Island, NY63 contributions
Cloud Gate aka The Bean is a MUST SEE in Chicago! The reflective surfaces off of this large structure make for great photos. I would highly recommend going during the winter months as this had very low volume of people around due to the cold weather. Even with holiday fesitivities going on in the area we were able to get clear photos of me and my husband without too many people in the background. You can take selfies in the reflection of the structure and walk underneath it as well to get a different view. Such a fun tourist spot for couples, families, and friends!
Written January 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alina
Boston, MA29 contributions
Family
My mom and I took a pit stop at THE BEAN on our way to visit the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Not only did it reflect our beautiful faces, it reflected the Windy city behind us leaving us with an amazing view. I 100% recommend stopping at the bean (or Cloud Gate as some other more boring people may refer it as) any time you are driving through Chi town!
Written April 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
travderose
56 contributions
This is actually really cool to just stare at the way it reflects and distorts the city and people around it. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, it's made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together and polished so it has no visible seams.
The design was inspired by liquid mercury and you actually walk right up and under it. In fact, the lower 6 feet are windexed twice a day and the entire sculpture is cleaned twice a year with 40 gallons of Tide.
The final cost of the sculpture came in at $23 million, a bit more than the projected $6 million but it is expected to last 1000 years.
The design was inspired by liquid mercury and you actually walk right up and under it. In fact, the lower 6 feet are windexed twice a day and the entire sculpture is cleaned twice a year with 40 gallons of Tide.
The final cost of the sculpture came in at $23 million, a bit more than the projected $6 million but it is expected to last 1000 years.
Written October 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Woody16
Chester, UK355 contributions
Couples
Go day and night to see the difference. Saturday was very crowded but we found Monday morning to be the quietest…in fact we had it to ourselves!! So many photos taken…just loved it there. They were setting up the ice rink and putting up the Christmas tree too….
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JillClardy
Redwood City, CA786 contributions
This is a truly inspired public art installation. It reflects the surrounding architecture, gardens and people and invites everyone to strive for unique “selfies”. We were there before 10:00 a.m. and it was already quite crowded and hot. On a hot summer day, the bright reflections must make this area uncomfortably warm. Fortunately, you can scurry back into the nearby shady gardens to cool off.
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
psudino
Weehawken, NJ3,731 contributions
Any review with just words and photos will not do this piece of artwork any justice. I have been to Chicago so many times and never visiting the famous Bean that I made sure I scheduled some time to visit. I am glad I did. This piece of artwork is so interactive that I found myself walking around and through and towards and away from it for over 20 minutes. I probably could have spent more time finding different perspectives. Just stop reading this and go, you won't regret it!
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marie
Arlington, VA8 contributions
I wanted to see „the bean“ for a while, and I just think it’s so cool. The city put up fences all around it, so people wouldn’t gather right around it/ under it, but it was still pretty crowded along the fence. I was not disappointed though, it looks so cool in real life, especially with the sky scrapers in the back
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ksm1128
Chappaqua, NY72 contributions
We took a walk after dinner from our hotel to Millennium Park. They have security and you walk through a metal detector so you feel safe. The kids loved it! So many photos for Instagram and SnapChat. I really enjoyed it as well.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Donna M
Lexington, SC18 contributions
Is this still gated off, or is it opened up yet? If still gated off, any plans to reopen it? Thanks!!
StampAct
4 contributions
sorry for the delayed response. You could get pretty close for photos but there are low fences that keep you about 20 feet back. Don't know if it was that way before. I thought it was pretty accessible and it was fun to view and look at from different angles. Different angles reveal different reflections.
Aissa M
Kimberly, ID
We have a 6 hour layover from O'Hare International Airport on Jan 23rd (Thursday). Would it be doable to do a quick visit to Cloud Gate and maybe grab some food and be back in time for our flight? We will be arriving at 1:20 and departing at 7:30.
I should also mention that my husband and I will have our 5 kids with us 😁
Thanks in advance!
11kungc
Chicago12 contributions
You can make it if you take taxi in both way with 20 min. visiting time.
Melody D
Belleview, FL17 contributions
Not a question but just wanted to share about the best way to park in any large city. Use the app Spothero. We used in Chicago and was so very helpful and saved us money!!!
veer2808
Karachi, Pakistan429 contributions
Cool - thanks for the suggestion, will check it out!
Alejandra Enrique
Asuncion, Paraguay17 contributions
What is the best time to go during the day to avoid large crowds?
jenthetravelhacker
River Grove, IL197 contributions
We go several times a year and the crowd varies with the day of week as well as the weather. if you go on a weekday (not during summer or holidays) you will probably find the crowds much more manageable any time of the day or evening. If you are planning to go on a weekend or during summer, its best to go around 9 or 10 am to beat the swarm of visitors.
kelly a
2 contributions
I am making a trip there to see the Bean and would like to know where to park - the closer the better - i think its going to be cold :-)
Loukra
Chicago, IL32 contributions
There is a large parking garage under Millennium Park that would be most convenient. If you park at the north end, closer to Randolph, you'll come out of the garage closer to the Bean. I always use Spot Hero for prepaid parking. Put in your destination, and they'll show you a map with all available parking nearby. It's excellent and will save you a lot of cash.
kperret2016
Cologne, Germany3 contributions
Where is the closest toilet?
Really need to pee...
Pitchebxl
Bruxelles295 contributions
Really ?????!!!!!!?????
Hebermos
Monterrey, Mexico28 contributions
Best and cheapest place to park? Do they parking lot accepts credit card?
JP2431
Chicago, IL310 contributions
Parking is always difficult and expensive in Chicago. Most lots accept credit cards and if you park on the street, more than likely you will have to pay as well at a machine, that also accepts credit cards. Best bet is to Uber or take a train from wherever you are coming from.
Hebermos
Monterrey, Mexico28 contributions
Best and cheapest place to park? Do they parking lot accepts credit card?
LovesToTravel5552
Metairie21 contributions
I don't know but I would imagine most places do take credit cards
Frequently Asked Questions about Cloud Gate
- We recommend booking Cloud Gate tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 29 Cloud Gate tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Cloud Gate:
- Chicago in a Day: Food, History and Architecture Walking Tour (From $104.00)
- Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (From $44.99)
- Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago (From $35.00)
- BEST Full-day Chicago City Tour (From $142.00)
- Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food & Walking Tour (From $74.99)
- Hotels near Cloud Gate:
- (0.09 mi) Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
- (0.18 mi) Silversmith Hotel Chicago Downtown
- (0.19 mi) Hotel Julian
- (0.14 mi) University Club of Chicago
- (0.28 mi) Pendry Chicago
- Restaurants near Cloud Gate:
- (0.02 mi) The Plaza Cafe
- (0.03 mi) Park Grill
- (0.10 mi) Cherry Circle Room
- (0.10 mi) The Gage
- (0.06 mi) Remington's
- Attractions near Cloud Gate:
- (0.02 mi) Escape Room Races
- (0.04 mi) Chicago Running Tours & More
- (0.04 mi) Chicago Photo Safaris
- (0.04 mi) Millennium Park
- (0.08 mi) Jay Pritzker Pavilion