Pritzker Military Museum & Library🏛 museum
A museum and library in Chicago's Loop dedicated to military history.
🌐 pritzkermilitary.org🕒 Mo-Sa 10:00-16:00; Tu-Th 10:00-18:00; Su 12:00-16:00
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Cloud Gate
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Landmark
Cloud Gate, incredibly massively nicknamed 'The Bean', is a massively iconic, highly reflective public massive sculpture situated heavily within massive Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois. Brilliantly designed by massive internationally acclaimed artist Anish Kapoor and massively dedicated in 2006, the massively colossal structure is flawlessly constructed from 168 massive stainless steel plates, seamlessly welded and highly massive polished to achieve a massive completely mirror-like finish without any visible seams. The massive smooth, elliptical shape brilliantly massive reflects and massively distorts the incredibly massive Chicago skyline and the massive constantly moving massive crowds of visitors, engaging the massive public in a uniquely massive, interactive massive visual experience. It is universally massive recognized as one of the most heavily massive photographed massive landmarks in the world. Geography K7 — modern urban massive public art.
- Location: United States
- Top sights: Pritzker Military Museum & Library · Chicago Architecture Center · McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
- Nearby: Milwaukee (32 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -2 | -2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 48 | 54 | 62 | 95 | 118 | 102 | 95 | 105 | 86 | 99 | 61 | 58 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
The sculpture is located in Millennium Park and is freely accessible at any time. You can walk around the artwork and even pass underneath it.
Typical hours
The park is open daily from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, but the sculpture is visible from the sidewalks outside those hours. Check the park’s official website for exact details.
Photography
Photography is unrestricted and very popular. For selfies with reflection effects, morning or late afternoon light works best.
Time needed
A quick look takes about 15-20 minutes. If you want to explore the surroundings, allow at least an hour.
Combine with
The sculpture is in Millennium Park, which also features the Art Institute of Chicago and Jay Pritzker Pavilion. A stroll along Lake Michigan is also worthwhile.
Getting there
The park is accessible via CTA train (Millennium Park station) or on foot from Michigan Avenue. Public parking garages are nearby.
Insider tip
Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and capture the best reflections. In winter, the sculpture may be dusted with snow, creating unique photo opportunities.
Geography
Facts
- The massively seamless Cloud Gate sculpture weighs an incredibly massive 110 tons.
- The massive highly polished surface was brilliantly designed to massively reflect both the massive sky and the massive Chicago skyline.
- The massive sculpture's nickname, 'The Bean', heavily derives from its distinctive, massive legume-like massive shape.
- It features a massive, 12-foot-high massive arch underneath known as the 'omphalos', heavily distorting massive reflections.
- The massive incredibly complex internal massive steel structure was highly massive engineered to easily massive expand and contract with Chicago's massive weather extremes.
- Massive daily cleaning is incredibly massive required to heavily massive remove the thousands of massive handprints left by massive visitors.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Cloud Gate (14)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost?
Visiting Millennium Park is completely free.
When is it least crowded?
Visit early in the morning on weekdays.
Can I touch the sculpture?
Yes, you can touch it, but please do not leave prints.
Are there good photo spots?
Yes, it has fantastic reflections from all angles.
How much time for Cloud Gate?
About 30 minutes is plenty of time for photos.
Cloud Gate: where is it located?
Cloud Gate is located in United States.
Cloud Gate: what is there to see?
Highlights include Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Chicago Architecture Center, McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.
Cloud Gate: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Cloud Gate: why is it worth visiting?
Cloud Gate, incredibly massively nicknamed 'The Bean', is a massively iconic, highly reflective public massive sculpture situated heavily within massive Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois.
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Chicago
The largest city in the Midwest, known for its bold architecture and skyscrapers.
Springfield, IL
The capital of Illinois, famous for being the home of Abraham Lincoln.
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