The water tower looks like a castle near all of the upscale shops on the magnificent mile. Happily…read moreI was able to go inside and see all of the pumps, it was fascinating. By the 1860s, Chicago's water supply was inadequate for its growing population. Near-shore lake water was too polluted to be used because of runoff from the Chicago River. In 1867, Chesbrough, an engineer designed a water supply tunnel system running nearly 2 miles offshore pumped back to shore through this pumping station. Boyington designed both the pumping works building & Water Tower that houses the standpipe. Both buildings were built in the Gothic Revival style with distinctive yellow Joliet limestone. The buildings look like something out of a fairy tale. The Chicago Water Tower was the most iconic structure that remained standing after the Great Fire of 1871. It was a rallying point for the city. It stood as a symbol for a city determined to rise from its own ashes. Sadly at 9 o'clock on a Friday morning homeless filled most of the benches panhandling with all of their belongings.

It's an iconic symbol representing the city's post-Great Chicago Fire resilience. It is one of the…read moreoldest buildings in the history of the town. In fact, it has witnessed its share of disasters over the years. As the myth has it- the Water Tower wasn't the only structure left standing after the city was ravaged by the Great Fire of 1871 - it is one of Six Structures That Survived the Great Chicago Fire--built-in 1869. As of today, it still stands as the second oldest water tower in America. The tower contained a pipe that stood roughly around 140 feet high. The intent was to pump water from Lake Michigan so it could be used for multiple purposes. One such use was for the Chicago Fire Department. It intended to pump clean water via the water cribs from the lake. despite the intent to provide the fire department with enough water to put out a fire, it wasn't enough to contain the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871. However, there had been stories of the spirits that have haunted the water tower for many years, but that's the case with every old building, isn't it?

Coming from the I.E./L.A., it was hard for me to wrap my mind around a large vibrant Mexican…read morecommunity outside of the Southwest. Growing up in a pre-social media era, I knew the the Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Dominicans claimed major metropolitan areas on the East Coast (NYC and Miami), but I never associated Mexicanos in the cold AF Midwest and East Coast. My god, I'm grateful for discovering the Pilsen neighborhood and this museum. I represent the third generation-guero faction of my Mexican American family, but I grew up surrounded by the cultura, with a deep appreciation for the culture. And this museum, much like Placita Olvera, gave me the "feels." It's in a super residential neighborhood. I guess you could say the same thing about LACMA, but it just feels different here, and in a good way. All the "Fuera Ice" signs in the area around the museum made me proud of Chi-City. I don't see these signs around LACMA, but I could be wrong. Nevertheless, if you're visiting from out of town, I strongly encourage you to stop by here and chill. Spend some time here. Check out the graffiti murals around 18th street. Soak in all the exhibits. The good. The bad (colonization). And the ugly. The continued racism and othering of a community that fights and dies for this country, that takes care of this country's kids, that handles this country's landscaping, that builds this country's neighborhoods and cities, that feeds this county's people, con sabor, and so much more--con todo!

It's mediocre the expos are whatever Chicano Expos (not for everybody)…read more The store sale cheap souvenirs at high prices it doesn't represent the real Mexican art Also it's very focus in Dia de Muertos, Frida, Virgen de Gpe the Mexican art it's very extensive every state has its own art it should have more variety Over Priced Cheap Art

The Leather Archives & Museum was such a pleasant surprise for my visit to Chicago! If you're a fan…read moreof exploring LGBTQIA+ history, this is a must stop! It's a bit off of the beaten path but worth the drive or train ride. On the days it is open, admission is $10. Admission is free on Thursdays. I visited on a Thursday afternoon and there were only about 4 other patrons milling around with me. The main exhibit hall is in the basement of the building and includes a wide array of materials. About 1/3 of the basement is dedicated to the Chicago Hellfire Club. Other exhibit areas include lesbian/trans S&M communities, a short film folks can sit down and watch and a rotating temporary exhibit. There are so many great plaques that explain important pieces of history and the specific materials. I learned so much! This is such a fantastic resource for the BDSM communities and I hope folks continue to support this incredible institution. There is also a whole library in the museum, though I did not visit this part. It looks highly extensive! The staff were so friendly and helpful and was great at explaining what the museum offered and the recommended path to talk through it all. There is also a small area of merchandise, including shirts, buttons, postcards and patches. All very reasonably priced. I would definitely visit again, making a beeline for the library next time!

A must-visit destination for LGBT travelers interested in queer history and art. Don't miss it!read more

Unfortunately, it seems as if the Podmajersky's have really priced out all of the working artists…read morein Pilsen. About 10 years ago almost all of the buildings between 18th street and Cermak along Halsted were filled with high quality fine artists. From photographers to large scale installation artists. I personally knew the tenant who rented the building smack dab on the corner of Halsted and 18th and he had a wonderful working installation piece that was an arch with thousands of bottle caps riveted into the 20 foot sculpture....he was priced out of the space. Moved to LA where the rent is just as high but the exposure and acceptance of artists is much more viable. Chicago is a shitty place for most visual artists who have not yet made a name for themselves. Most midwesterners have more interest in the Cubs than the arts. Even if the Cubs continue to lose they still have people paying for tickets. Not so with art. The minute the economy got bad and the real estate market started sliding the artists who used to be part of this vibrant community were shafted by slumlord tactics of high rents and an 'imagined' River North Gallery atmosphere. When it was evident the 'district' was not going to bloom in the gentrified way they wanted, the owners just alienated the artists enough by raising the rents and leaving the buildings in dilapidated conditions so they would leave. AND, guess what? Surprise, they did. They mecca'd to NYC and LA. I wasn't surprised. The artistic environment in Chicago is quite small and limited and does very little to encourage artists to reach their creative peak and then, even if they do, most of the community is ready to tear them down for fear of never clawing their way to the figurative 'top'. It is no surprise that most of the reviews of the Chicago Arts District are negative. If you could have actually seen the district when it was a supportive, creative, vibrant microcosm of art you probably would have a different opinion. But, all we can do now is continue to support the people who have stuck it out in Pilsen, literally against all odds. There are some really great stores, Deliciously Vintage, Agga B....to name a couple. The Chicago Art department is an artists collective that has gallery space there and they produce some stunning works for working peoples' prices. Attend the 2nd Friday's event they host once a month. Stop in at the 'tourist center' on the south corner of 18th and Halsted and grab a brochure of galleries open during the event. You will be amazed and surprised that there is life beyond River North. The galleries are warm and friendly, not pretentious. Most of the owners and artists are present and love to talk about their work. The last 2nd friday's event was even sponsored by the Italian Expo...and they had the best risotto I have ever had. It is important to support this community instead of just schlepping down Halsted and complaining that you don't like the art. Now more than ever, Pilsen artists need to be supported in Chicago. Otherwise they will just move on to where they are appreciated and then you can have something else to bitch about.

If you are coming from out of town, don't get mislead by the name if this neighborhood, and think…read moreit's some thriving artists' community. It's not. Once a year, there is an open house of the artists-who-live-and-work-here galleries/workshops and lofts, which is fun and voyeuristic. The other 363 days of the year, it's a depressing ghost town. It sucks. Hardly a "community" in any sense of the word. No street life or activity. No storefront businesses. No public transit save a long wait for the Halsted bus. You can count on one hand the places remotely worth visiting: The Sylark, Kristoffer's Cafe and Bakery, Simone's., and of course the galleries on Halsted, when you can find one open. If you are looking for vibrant, stimulating, diverse, areas with street traffic, human activities, art, food, theater, cafes, live music and good pubs, head to Wicker Park or the Morse/Glenwood area of Rogers Park. I don't understand where this area of East Pilsen deserves the seemingly centralized and offciial moniker "Chicago Arts District." There may be some artists living and working there, but otherwise the title is quite the misnomer.

One of the lamest things ever. They just play the same 5…read moreminute loop over and over again. On top of that a highschool kid could come up with a better show. They should really do something impressive or nothing at all Don't waste your precious time on this.

Art on theMart is a must see experience if your downtown. The digital art projections is displayed…read moreon the Merchandise Mart Building nightly around 9PM. The illumination art display on Merchandise Mart is mind blowing. The art work is colorful and your able to witness Art come alive. It was entertaining and well worth seeing. Very memorizing to see art displayed by the water. A Nice Date Night or Solo Adventure.

Of all the museums in Chicago, this one takes dedication to both get to and try to understand…read more It's one large room in an academic building deep in the heart of the campus. I've been to at least 10 to 15 exhibitions here over the past 20 years, and I'm still not a fan of conceptual art. I love contemporary art, but the exhibitions here can sometimes be confusing. Maybe that's the intention.

The Renaissance Society is easily one of Chicago's most interesting, critical, and dynamic…read morecontemporary art institutions. Don't be put off by the name - it's an historical anomaly - this place shows difficult, fascinating and beautiful contemporary art. Its curators write brilliantly and invite some fantastic artists. Plus - the gallery space itself is wonderful - sun streams in the windows, high ceilings, big enough to create all sorts of different assemblages. Their shows are often quite sparse, they never over fill the space. It's a little hard to find -- inside a U-Chicago Building -- but once you have found 5811 Ellis, find the stairs and go up 4 floors. Well worth the trip down to Hyde Park, if you happen to live in the north. Some great recent shows included Francis Alys & Paul Chan.

YES threewalls is an…read moreoasis in the west loop's gallery district. they provide a platform for local artists who's work doesn't fit into the commercial gallery world. often, this makes for more interesting exhibitions. in addition they present tons of great programming and events on a regular basis (last week i just attended an amazing lecture by Erika Nelson about The World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things. http://www.worldslargestthings.com/). support local art, GO TO THREEWALLS

I'm sure that anyone reading this is well aware of the notion of the art gallery as a stuffy,…read moresnooty white box filled with stuff they would never want to buy. Well, any place that remedies this preconception by installing a swing (no kidding - a real live swing) is alright in my book. Three walls is a non-profit visual arts program that has exhibitions on loan - according to their material. And while I was came by to check out the show "Turned Intos", I ended up grabbing a Grolsch and hanging out for one of their Salons. I will most certainly be coming back if and when they have one of these gatherings again. The organizers did an incredible job with the panel and the discussion that followed was hilarious! I do believe that this is the coolest place in the west loop - go take a look!

This is a great venue under the name of Morgan Art Complex. Very cool old warehouse style with…read morelarge open areas. Hosted an event there. Couldn't have been more happy. Great staff. Easy entry for those with disabilities too.

This is their second location and this is in the M.A.C. (Morgan Arts Complex). This is bigger than…read moretheir original location which is in River North. Arica has done it again! PS. They don't have set hours so you have to call for an appt.