Chicago Cultural Center

Spoiler alert: you’re about to see a fabulous place! You’re standing in front of the Chicago Cultural Center, the first completely free cultural center in the United States. It’s one of the city’s main attractions, and considered one of the most comprehensive Art showcases in the country. Every year, over 1,000 programs and exhibitions are hosted, covering a wide range of arts. The building, constructed at the end of the 19th century, is part of the Chicago Landmark. Its construction was originally intended to house the new public library, after the first one was destroyed by the Great Fire in 1871. Shortly after the disaster, many British authors donated works to the town to restore its important book collection. Over time, however, the collection grew to such an extent that a new building was needed to house it. You’re looking at that building right now. It wasn’t until the 1950s, as Chicago’s population exploded, that the new library became too small and was transformed into a cultural center. Today, even if you have no intention of seeing what’s on the program, trust us and push open its heavy front doors. Inside, the Preston Bradley Hall is dazzling. It was designed to impress and show visitors what a public monument could be in a major American city. As a matter of fact, it’s the venue for major receptions, where the municipality welcomes foreign delegations. The walls are covered in mosaics and stained glass, and all you have to do is look up to see the world’s largest Tiffany dome – and believe us, you’ll want to see what it looks like! When it was built in the 1930s, a second protective dome with artificial lighting was added. But since 2008, thanks to a major renovation, the interior of the Chicago Cultural Centernow baths in natural light, much to our delight.