Museum Tour: Early Access with Art Historian Guide

Beat the crowds at the Art Institute of Chicago with an expert guide. Discover masterpieces and their stories in an exclusive, intimate tour.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • The Art Institute of Chicago - 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:…
What's Included
  • Skip-the-Line Semi-Private Guided Museum Tour (Group Size of 12 or Less)
  • All Admission Fees
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

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…

Location
The Art Institute of Chicago
South Michigan Avenue
Guide will be standing near the North Lion (the one on the left as you face the main entrance to the museum).
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(412 Ratings)
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Elizabeth_t
Dec 30, 2025
Great Contextual Tour! - Really enjoyed our guide Joel's enthusiasm and love for the museum and Chicago. Learning the milestones of the museum's collecting its most famous collections and pieces, and the stories behind them was fascinating. Well worth the 2.5 hour tour!!
Review provided by Viator
Sunshinestatet
Dec 29, 2025
Incredible tour!! - Bernie was Amazing!! He is so knowledgeable, professional, friendly and passionate about what he does. I learned so much. I would have felt overwhelmed by the museum but he moved at a fast pace and gave us great insight into many works of art. I couldn’t recommend this tour more!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traveler17171354082
Dec 28, 2025
Perfect experience! - We had a wonderful highlights tour with Bernie today. In two and a half hours, we saw many major works, and the pacing and route felt very well designed. Bernie was knowledgeable, engaging, and thoughtful in his explanations. I would definitely love to return with friends and join another tour with Chicago Museum Tours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A7847dcjohns
Dec 27, 2025
Art institute with guide Arnold. - Highly informative. Personalized our viewing to the desires of the individuals in our group. _________________________________________
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davelemire
Dec 27, 2025
Great tour-Thanks Scout! - Very fast-paced tour of museum highlights. We got a good crash course in art history and it seemed like we got to visit all of the “greatest hits” but did not have time on the tour to linger or explore along the way. Tour included all-day entry, so we could have gone back to revisit favorites, but we had other holiday things to move on to. Our tour guide Scout was excellent. She was charming, funny, quite knowledgeable and peppered her tour with fun and interesting anecdotes about the artist and the museum, mixing in some Chicago history along the way. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Jeanh2022
Dec 26, 2025
Wonderful, very highly recommended! - An absolute fantastic Chicago tour! We had an art history major and art novices in our group, and all absolutely loved it. Scout was a fantastic tour guide, filled with tons of fun facts, art knowledge, and interesting tid bits about different artists and works at the art Institute. Highly highly recommended. Super convenient to be able to skip the line, and go earlier before opening hours.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
388jiankunl
Dec 26, 2025
Tour of the Art Institute Of Chicago City - Scout, You are an very expert guide, and I would like to tour with you in the future if I come to Chicago City again ~ It was my pleasure to tour with you today for the Art Institute of Chicago ~
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maureen_m
Dec 25, 2025
Unbelievable experience in one of the finest Art Museums of the world - Bernie knew everything about the art museum, how it is organized and swiftly brought us through all the important places within the museum. He also knew everything about the artist and their lives and how they knew each other through different periods of time. We would never go and see the museum any other way it was truly an unbelievable experience
Review provided by Viator
Curiosity41799791925
Dec 24, 2025
Must do! - Loved the tour and the insight and background of the artists’ lifestyles and influences. Enhanced the experience! Will return. Amazing!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diamondh277
Dec 24, 2025
Loved touring with Michelle! - Michelle, did a phenomenal job providing details of the artwork. It felt like I was getting to know the artists themselves. I highly recommend experiencing the Art Museum with a tour guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $84
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).