Some of Chicago’s most memorable art is hiding in plain sight. Colorful murals, striking sculptures, and larger-than-life installations turn a stroll through the city into an opportunity for discovery. During your stay at Hotel EMC2, step outside and explore six public art stops that bring Chicago’s creative spirit to life.

Wabash Arts Corridor

In the South Loop, the Wabash Arts Corridor turns building walls into canvases, with large-scale murals that make looking up part of the experience. Launched by Columbia College Chicago, the corridor brings together a variety of artists and styles, giving you plenty to discover as you wander the neighborhood.

Grab a coffee, keep your camera handy, and give yourself time to explore. Take in each mural from across the street before moving closer to spot the smaller details. It’s an easy way to spend an afternoon without packing your schedule.

ART on THE MART

For an art outing after dark, head to the river for ART on THE MART. This public art program projects contemporary works across THE MART’s enormous river-facing façade, transforming the building into a moving canvas of color and light. With the water and city skyline around you, the setting is part of the appeal.

Make it your stop after dinner and find a viewing spot along the Riverwalk between Wells and Franklin streets, where speakers accompany the projections. Check the current calendar before heading over, since screening days and times vary by season.

Monuments of Stillness

A walk along the Magnificent Mile comes with an unexpected encounter: larger-than-life swimmers paused in moments of calm. Carole A. Feuerman’s Monuments of Stillness brings monumental sculptures to Michigan Avenue, with lifelike details that invite you to slow down and take a second look. Against the bustle of shoppers and traffic, their stillness feels especially striking. Work this stop into a leisurely afternoon of shopping and sightseeing, leaving time to appreciate the figures from different angles.

Millennium Park

Even if you’ve already seen countless photos of “The Bean,” there’s something satisfying about finding your own reflection in its curved surface. Officially named Cloud Gate, Anish Kapoor’s sculpture turns the skyline, and everyone gathered around it, into part of the artwork. Walk around it, step underneath, and see how the view changes.

While you’re here, make time for Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain, which brings water, light, and glass together in another playful public artwork. Then take a quieter break in Lurie Garden. Between the art and the greenery, Millennium Park is a good place to linger rather than simply check off a landmark.

Riverwalk Gateway Murals

Along the eastern end of the Riverwalk, beneath Lake Shore Drive, the Riverwalk Gateway murals offer a colorful detour on your way to the lakefront. Artist Ellen Lanyon’s 28 painted-tile panels trace the history of the Chicago River, weaving major events together with imaginative details inspired by local plants and wildlife.

Give yourself a few minutes to follow the story instead of passing straight through. You’ll find scenes connected to the Great Chicago Fire, the World’s Columbian Exposition, and the reversal of the river. It’s a little Chicago history tucked into a scenic walk, with plenty of details to reward a closer look.

The Picasso

At Daley Plaza, you can spend a few minutes with a Picasso without stepping into a museum. Unveiled in 1967, the monumental steel sculpture has become a Chicago landmark, though exactly what it resembles remains open to interpretation. A face? An animal? Take a look and decide for yourself.

Circle the sculpture to see how its shapes shift with your perspective. It makes an easy stop during a day exploring the Loop and a fun conversation starter if you’re traveling with someone whose interpretation is completely different from yours.

Make Room for a Creative Chicago Getaway

The best part of exploring Chicago’s public art is leaving room for surprises along the way. Pick a few favorites, build in a coffee or lunch break, and let the city give you a reason to take the scenic route.

Keep that curiosity going with a stay at Hotel EMC2, where art and science inspire the experience. With a home base in Streeterville, you can spend your days exploring and return for a relaxed evening. Book your stay at Hotel EMC2 and start planning a Chicago getaway with plenty to catch your eye.