08/15/06

OK for free

by faribath

We visited the Cultural Center today, and were not all that impressed. The building has beautiful architectural details, but the exhibits currently on display are sparse at best. The majority of the building contains offices and conference rooms, so you are left wandering all over, without a map. The woman at the information desk sent us to an administrative floor, and told us to "just wander through any open door." I'm just glad it was free...

07/14/04

An architectural delight that is a magnificent showcase of literature, art and knowledge.

by Contributor

The Scene
Dedicated in 1897, the Chicago Cultural Center is palatial in size and design; its five floors feature architectural styles that span the globe and the centuries executed in lush materials (marble, stained glass), coffered ceilings, enormous and ornate halls, and more than a dozen visual and performing-arts spaces. The first floor also hosts a Chicago Office of Tourism visitor center.

Features
In the Preston Bradley Hall on the third floor, under a glorious 38-foot, $35 million Tiffany dome, guests are likely to encounter classical music or acoustic performances. The fourth floor's Sidney R. Yates Gallery has exhibits featuring contemporary artists like Miguel Navarro and Carmen Calvo. Visitors can return to the information center on the first floor for Chicago-related brochures and maps and view free video presentations. Folks itching to spend money can visit the Shop for souvenirs or stop at the Randolph Cafe for a meal and live entertainment.

05/27/03

Free Culture

by angelbird551

While the other listings of Chicago's top free spots are outdoorsy type places, I have found the Cultural Center to have the best in classical music, lectures, art exhibits and other live shows. This is a must for poor students like myself and others who appreciate a well-rounded humanities event.

• Pros: Free
• Cons: No Parking, Events drng wrk hrs, Bldb. hard to navigat

01/04/03

Cultural Chache!

by Nuttylibrlgirl

We visted there yesterday and had a wonderful time! While we were there to visit the Museum of Broadcast Arts specifically, we enjoyed the whole center! The building in and of itself is breathtaking.

• Pros: Historic, Free, Educational
• Cons: Parking difficult

10/12/02

Respite with grandeur

by petspot759

The first time I arrived at the Cultural center I was about ten years old. I didn't want to walk on the floor because the mosaics were so beautiful. My feet, I thought we not worthy to walk on something so delicate. Then I looked up and saw all those little peices of glass in an awe inspiring dome over my head. As I walked to a huge room with floor to ceiling glass I viewed unifroms and priceless memorabilia from the civil war. I took my daughter there recently and was so dissapointed that the stairs were covered with cheap carpeting and the Civil war exhibit was now an empty room. This is still a place to stop, relax and realize there was an age of elegance, unfortunatly the remnants are being dismantled.

05/17/02

valuable resource

by jpanderson_citysearch

It's not exactly a barrel of laughs, but this place is fascinating for those interested in learning about Chicago's past. A great library with great historical texts.