Visiting The Bean (Cloud Gate) in Chicago was an unforgettable experience! The unique, reflective design is stunning and makes for incredible photo opportunities from every angle. Located in the heart of Millennium Park, it’s a vibrant spot full of energy and a must-see for both locals and tourists. The surrounding area is beautiful, with plenty of green space, walking paths, and other attractions nearby. Whether you visit during the day or when it’s beautifully lit at night, The Bean is a true Chicago landmark that you don’t want to miss!

Unlike Loop artworks by Picasso, Chicago, Miro, and Calder that celebrate "the City of Chicago," two installations in Millennium Park and one in a park south of the Art Institute focus on "the people of Chicago," or more specifically "how the people of Chicago inhabit public spaces like parks." "Cloud Gate" (also called The Bean) is the most popular of these. The upper part of "the bean" reflects ALL of the surrounding city. The lower part reflects ALL of the people who enter the park and approach the sculpture. What is a city park? It is where countless people gather inside of a great city. People see themselves and others in their city. It's interactive. As you move closer, you change, those around you change, and the city changes. Everyone laughs and poses and smiles and photographs. The happy people of Chicago endlessly watch the people of Chicago being happy.

Visited: 06/07/2023 Inside Millennium Park, this sculpture/artwork is affectionately nicknamed "The Bean". It is quite remarkable and we enjoyed trying to take pictures of ourselves in the reflective surface. Can get hot when in the sun for a long time, so be careful on warm days. However, the underneath/gate of the sculpture is really cool and refreshing. It is a lot bigger than you realise and spcaious underneath as well.

In August 2024, the bean had just been freshly polished and shone in its new glory. Crowds are probably always here. In the late afternoon it was really crowded but you could still take pictures and go for a walk.

Arguably the icon of the city - it’s a must see for a first time in Chicago. If you’re visiting at any time other than the start of end of the day expect the crowds to be large but the area is spacious enough for it not to be unpleasant. The entire surrounding area is nice to wander round too, so you can spend a fair bit of time. A lovely spot.

We visited the Bean, since it is now open again after being renovated. The surrounding sidewalk is new and refurbished. It is a free attraction and a modern icon of Chicago’s lakefront. I recommend a visit. It is interesting to take photos of the reflecting images and skyscrapers of the Chicago skyline.

Fun to see but the bean was fenced off for some reason put a real damper on the visit. I assume it’s either a short term project or for the winter weather. Regardless it was cool would like to see it up close next time.