People from Chicago can definitely appreciate great art, which comes as no surprise since the arts culture here is thriving. The city itself is an exhibit, with so much beauty to be discovered no matter where you go. If you’re interested in taking a glimpse of all the art that the city has to offer, just ask your Universal Taxi driver to drop you off at these artsy neighborhoods:

• Pilsen, Bridgeport and Hyde Park. These three districts are all found in the South Side and are now home to so many galleries that feature interestingly diverse mediums and brilliant young artists. Notable places to visit are the Bridgeport Art Center, Zhou B Art Center, Chicago Arts District, Hyde Park Art Center, and Logan Center.
• River North. If you’re free every first Thursday of the month, an art crawl is done in this area. Some of the popular stops are the Ken Saunders Gallery, the Project Room, Richard Norton Gallery, and the Judy A. Saslow Gallery.
• West Loop. Though this is mostly known for their restaurant row, it is also a great place to discover inspiring art. Check out Threewalls, the Vertical Gallery, Carrie Secrist Gallery, and the Kavi Gupta Gallery.
• Bucktown / Wicker Park.This is the place to be if you’re looking for more cutting-edge art. Visit the Intuit (The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art), the Monique Meloche Gallery, and the Eyeporium Gallery. You could also go to the Iron Arts Building every first Friday to see the treats that the artists living there have in store for you.

If you’re more interested in the city’s art museums, these are the stops that you should ask your Universal Taxi driver to take you to:

• The Art Institute of Chicago. It is not only a popular museum in the city, but in the country as well, with over 260,000 pieces that could date as far back as 5,000 years ago.
• Smart Museum of Art. It is the University of Chicago’s official art museum.
• Museum of Contemporary Art. With different pieces of art dating from 1945 to now, it is one of the largest museums dedicated to contemporary art.
• National Museum of Mexican Art. There are over 7,500 pieces that range from ancient Mexico, all the way to modern Mexican-American work.

If you’re not yet happy with this long list, then feel free to take a walk around because Chicago is also home to some of the most impressive public art displays, from amazing murals to breathtaking sculptures. Visit The Loop and check out a Picasso sculpture, Chase Plaza’s whimsical Four Seasons painting, or the stainless steel Freeform outside the Bilandic Building. Explore the parks and find interesting pieces, such as the Cloud Gate at the Millennium Park which locals call The Bean. Go through different neighborhoods and just crane your neck from one corner to another, because there would surely be a million different surprises awaiting you.

That’s Chicago for you. An art-lover’s paradise overflowing with creativity and color.