,url-https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripexpert.com%2Fimages%2Fmarker-fade%402x.png(-87.60509,41.891846)/-87.61319473385811,41.894528073430976,13.871493261935617/1280x214@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJpcGV4cGVydHdlYiIsImEiOiJja2Fud3l2MDcwbXZ0MndyeGF3eGI3ZWhzIn0.zLqNa1RECyZZadF8zfQM5w)
Museum of Contemporary ArtvsNavy Pier
Museum of Contemporary Art and Navy Pier are both rated highly by experts. Overall, Museum of Contemporary Art ranks significantly higher than Navy Pier. Museum of Contemporary Art scores 91 with accolades from 9 sources like concierge.com, Travel + Leisure and Frommer's.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Fodor's
Concierge
Travel + Leisure
Afar Magazine
Not For Tourists Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Condé Nast Traveler
goop
Where Show All Reviews
220 East Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
From $0/night
Fodor's "It doesn't have any permanent exhibits; this gives it a feeling of freshness, but it also makes it impossible to predict what will be on display at any time." Full review
Concierge "The museum, though, is more interested in keeping things cutting-edge and fun than in surveying even the recent past."
Travel + Leisure "Add some color to an afternoon in Chicago with a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the largest contemporary art museums in the country." Full review
Afar Magazine "Exhibit halls branch off the central staircase... and the East and West facing glass walls have unparalleled views over Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago." Full review
Not For Tourists "Party down on First Fridays."
Travel + Leisure "Credited with giving Frida Kahlo, Jeff Koons, and Gerhard Richter their first exhibitions, the MCA has been celebrating the creative process since 1967." Full review
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"The task of presenting the avant-garde can be daunting, but the MCA does a good job of making the works and movements of the art of our time accessible to everyone." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "It's not solely focused on fine art: Exhibits have featured the work of artists as diverse as sculptor Alexander Calder, cartoonist Daniel Clowes, and legendary musician David Bowie." Full review
goop "Housed in a Josef Paul Kleihues-designed building in the heart of the city, MCA Chicago is one of the best contemporary art museums in the world." Full review
Where "One of the nation’s largest contemporary art museums, the MCA presents exhibits of painting, sculpture, photography, video and film, and performance created since 1945." Full review
Navy Pier Fodor's
Time Out Not For Tourists Michelin Guide Where
Atlas Obscura Time Out Afar Magazine Travel + Leisure
Frommer's
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
From $0/night
Fodor's "No matter the season, Navy Pier is a fun place to spend a few hours, especially with kids in tow." Full review
Time Out "This tourist hot spot features shops, eateries, an IMAX cinema and a bevy of sightseeing boat tours." Full review
Not For Tourists "Municipal wharf turned boffo tourist attraction."
Michelin Guide 1 Star
"Navy Pier has enjoyed many lives since it was first built in 1916 as a passenger and freight terminal." Full review
Where "Encompassing more than 50 acres along the lakefront, Navy Pier boasts a nearly 200-foot-high, climate-controlled Ferris wheel." Full review
Atlas Obscura "A display of magnificent stained glass windows is the first exhibit of its kind. " Full review
Time Out "Windows made or inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, Tiffany, Alphonse Mucha, Roger Brown and others compose this collection of more than 150 stained glass windows, on display along the lower level terraces of Festival Hall." Full review
Afar Magazine "We decided to observe our city from a new perch, so we flew over it on a beautiful summer afternoon." Full review
Travel + Leisure "If you're looking for a day of family fun, head to Navy Pier in downtown Chicago. You'll find plenty to keep yourself and your family entertained here...get a truly one-of-a-kind view of Lake Michigan"
Frommer's "Built during World War I, this 3,000-foot-long pier served as a Navy training center for pilots during World War II." Full review
