Tours/Chicago/Skip-the-line: Art Institute of Chicago Guided Tour

Skip-the-line: Art Institute of Chicago Guided Tour

5.0(624)Chicago1 hour

VIATOR5.0(154)TRIPADVISOR5.0(470)

Skip-the-line: Art Institute of Chicago Guided Tour

+5 photos

Description

Beat the crowds with an expert art historian guide on this exclusive early morning tour. Immerse yourself among the masterpieces housed within the acclaimed museum and listen as your guide brings each piece to life by sharing the story behind it. Let your guide lead you to the most important pieces of the 300,000-strong collection, taking the hard work out of finding where to go and what to see. Explore in a small group for a special, personal experience, and interact with your guide who can give insider’s insight into the museum.

Tour Options

Skip-the-line: Art Institute of Chicago Guided Tour

Itinerary

Admission included120 min

Our expert guide will take you on a journey to explore one of the world's premier art museums. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking inspiration, our tour of the Art Institute promises an unforgettable experience. Along the way they will discuss some or all of the following art works: Hartwell Memorial Window – Tiffany Studios Paris Street; Rainy Day – Gustave Caillebotte Sunday on La Grande Jatte – Georges Seurat The Bedroom – Vincent van Gogh Sky Above Clouds – Georgia O’Keefe Nighthawks – Edward Hopper A Picture of Dorian Gray – Ivan Albright American Gothic – Grant Wood America Windows – Marc Chagall The Old Guitarist – Pablo Picasso Four Mona Lisas – Andy Warhol Greyed Rainbow – Jackson Pollock

Highlights

Skip-the-Line Semi-Private Guided Museum Tour (Group Size of 12 or Less)

All Admission Fees

What's included

Included

Skip-the-Line Semi-Private Guided Museum Tour (Group Size of 12 or Less)

All Admission Fees

Not included

Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

5.0

624 reviews

612

Important Information

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Reviews(624)

cjK6657XU

September 8, 2026

Fantastic tour with Bernie

Bernie was a very knowledgeable, friendly, and thorough tour guide! Being able to start our tour before the museum was open to the general public was a huge plus. We’ve been to the Art Institute for exhibitions in the past and this tour was the perfect way to see a diverse sampling of all the museum has to offer. Definitely recommend this tour!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, CJ! We're thrilled to hear that Bernie made for such a well-rounded introduction to the museum's diverse collection, and that the early access made all the difference. As a locally owned company competing against much bigger operators, reviews like yours mean the world to us. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

506benitoo

September 6, 2026

Walk down the history of the art inside this museum

Robert is the man! Showed us this beautiful museum with rich history. 10/10 would recommend.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words, Benito! Robert is the man — we couldn't agree more! We're thrilled he made your visit to the Art Institute such a memorable 10/10 experience. It means so much to us as a small local company to receive feedback like this. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

xiaopengc214

September 5, 2026

Mark is great

Mark is very professional and full of passion. He explain everything with passion. I fall in love with the museum and love life more. Very good experience.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Falling in love with the museum and loving life more — we couldn't ask for a better outcome! We're so proud to have Mark on our team. Comments like yours are the reason we love what we do. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Z1748JWmarkd

September 3, 2026

Our guide, Scout, herself an artist, was brilliant and entertaining.

We thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour through art history and the magnificent Chicago Art Institute with the brilliant and charming Scout; our art guide for the morning. Her education, experience and training in fine arts, and an artist herself (fine art & performance artist) make her perfectly suited to animate and educate in a manner that is highly entertaining and interesting. She brings the art and artists to life and historical reliance. We would definitely do it again.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Mark! Scout is truly one of a kind, and we're so delighted she made such a lasting impression. As a locally owned company competing against much bigger operators, reviews like yours mean the world to us. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

V6227VLbrendal

September 3, 2026

Informative

Scout was our tour guide. She was very informative.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words, Brenda! We're delighted to hear that Scout made for such an informative visit to the Art Institute. It means so much to us as a small local company to receive feedback like this. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Higgins-cincy

September 3, 2026

Amazing tour

The tour was amazing. Scout, our tour guide was absolutely fabulous!! We enjoyed it so much.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your 5-star review. Glad to hear you enjoyed your time touring with Scout. Please come back and join us on another tour soon!

N1188YKkevinl

August 29, 2026

Worth the Monet!

Mark is a brilliant tour guide. A thoughtful orator and the ability to provide explanations of both the fundamentals of art and its historical context. 10/10

Operator response

Worth the Monet — we absolutely love that title, Kevin! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your time touring the Art Institute with Mark. As a locally owned company competing against much bigger operators, feedback like yours means a great deal to us. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Vatsa K

August 28, 2026

Art institute of Chicago by Arnold

Excellent tour by Arnold. The pace was right and story telling was fantastic. This museum visit is a must for anyone visiting Chicago

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words, Vatsa! We're thrilled to hear that Arnold's perfect pacing and fantastic storytelling made your visit to the Art Institute such a memorable experience. We couldn't agree more — it truly is a must for anyone visiting Chicago! Comments like yours are the reason we love what we do. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Z6883MJpats

August 28, 2026

Great highlights tour!

Arnold was terrific. Highly recommend. So knowledgeable. Thanks for a great morning!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words, Pat! We're delighted to hear that Arnold's knowledge made for such a terrific morning at the Art Institute. It means so much to us as a small local company to receive feedback like this. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

Y7934YDcrystall

August 28, 2026

Great Tour

Arnold did a great job. Very informative for first time art person. Great highlights.

Operator response

Thanks for the 5-star review Crystal. Glad to hear you enjoyed your time touring with Arnold . Please come back and join us again on another tour soon.

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