Michigan & Adams

The Art Institute of Chicago, founded in 1879, was originally located across the street from its present location, on the west side of Michigan Avenue in a building next to the still-standing Fine Arts Building. Opened in 1885, the Art Institute hosted various ground-breaking French Impressionist exhibitions. In the 1890s, the Institute constructed its own museum on the east side of Michigan Avenue at the foot of Adams Street. The Renaissance-style building, complete with arcades and classical fountains, hosts one of the finest art collections in the world. Two enormous sculptured lions welcome visitors at the base of the museum steps. According to a local myth, rubbing an Institute lion's tail brings good luck.