Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago

"Every Tuesday in June, the MCA has free live jazz on their back terrace from 5:30-8:00pm. You can reserve seats online, or, if you want to make a picnic out of it, you can experience the music (and hopefully not too humid weather) on MCA’s lawn. Though outside snacks or alcoholic beverages aren’t allowed, they have a bar setup and a small rotating food menu. Tuesdays are also free museum days for Illinois residents, so you can have an afternoon of surrealist photography before an evening of Charles Mingus. Click here to see the line-up." - john ringor

"The MCA is one of the city’s museums that’s in a near constant state of transition. With its relatively small permanent collection, it relies on special shows—from large scale installations to video, fashion, music, photography, and more—that showcase just as many rising local talents and underground, avant-garde renegades as recognizable names. Past exhibits include David Bowie Is, Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg, and Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech.  It also has one of the best gift shops (ever) and is home to Marisol, where chef Jason Hammel puts forth thoughtful, seasonal cuisine. Come summer, visit for their “Tuesday on the Terrace” music series, along with 21 Minus, an annual festival celebrating the next generation of artists." - Nicole Schnitzler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? As contemporary art museums go, this is a very manageable one with a no-excuses location just off the Magnificent Mile shopping strip. What will we find in the permanent collection? The MCA, more than any other museum in town , is constantly morphing. Its relatively small permanent collection means it relies on special shows, from installations to video, and they always push boundaries. Can you give us a little more on those special shows? You might not have heard of the artists receiving solo shows at the MCA, but go. Curators here have a crack eye for finding meaningful work by living artists and installing it in immersive ways. What did you make of the crowd? The MCA tends to draw more serious museum-goers with open minds and keen curiosity, the kind of people you want to view a show with. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The boxy building is fairly easy to navigate, with levels connected by generous spiral staircases or elevators. Any guided tours worth trying? Docents lead free tours daily (usually around 1 p.m.), and these can be a great way of exploring select works more deeply. They are not, however, recommended for short attention spans. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Located on street level with its own separate entrance, the MCA Store is well worth visiting, whether museum-going or just looking for a cool souvenir. Lots of arty jewelry, plus great modernist housewares, and regional souvenirs that don't scream "Tourist!" Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Pick a show or two and you'll still get the flavor of the MCA without spending hours here. It can be a pleasurable foray in advance of dinner or a shopping spree." - Elaine Glusac

"Hammel’s restaurant inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, Marisol, is back open for the first time since the pandemic began." - Naomi Waxman

"Marisol, the full-service restaurant and bar on the ground floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art that has earned a place on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, has reopened after a two-year pandemic closure, according to a rep. Once again, Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe, leads the kitchen, serving weekday lunch and weekend brunch. Marisol in the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, reservations via OpenTable." - Naomi Waxman