Cloud Gate

An icon of Chicago not to be missed! You've seen it in movies and shows, and it looks just as spectacular and intriguing in person. I recommend being there before 8am to get almost unblocked (by people) views and photos. Every angle is different and unique in its own way, so take your time to take lots of postcard worthy pictures.

This is Chicago's icon. When you visit Chicago, firstly you should come here to see this art. Each season, this place is crowded because not only tourists but also Chicago's public comes together here. Therefore, be careful against Corona Virus. Once I saw this bean from away, I thought it is just metal. However, when I came closer, I noticed the geometric shape, curve, transparency, and reflectiveness. That affected me deeply. You can take a different type of your photo thanks to its reflectiveness. I wish I have a chance to see this place in summer. Unfortunately, I am too away from there.

The Bean is a pretty neat experience. A giant chrome coffee bean. Some days it is very crowded. The underside of the bean has some very interesting visual reflections. The absolute center has the only flat mirror portion. If you are in Chicago or plan to visit. I suggest checking it out. There is also some old buildings across the street. We liked looking at the buildings as much as the Bean.

Cloud Gate, also affectionately called The Bean, is probably the most Instagram-able thing in the Windy City. That is, if you’re able to find a way to thin out the massive crowds that are inevitably there for the same idea. I’d recommend going really early in the morning. There will still be a few people around, but you’ll be able to actually enjoy this magnificent sculpture and get a few beautiful shots while you’re at it.

Iconic for sculpture and a must visit in Chicago. We went on a Sunday after a support Ukraine rally so it was more packed than usual. I suggest morning for best shots. Had fun and glad we made it out to see it!

I know it's essentially just a shiny sculpture in the form of a bean like mirror... But it really is impressive. I consider myself somewhat of an artist and can't even begin to fathom how someone could create that project. Been a few times and always a sight to behold. Nice little park area in general too. Enjoy that endless crowd of tourists though!

Such a cool piece of art!!! The wife and I stopped by too check it, take the obligatory pics with said art and invent our own fun poses. Be on the look out for peeps that offer to take your pic and once they do will ask for money for it. I recognized the hustle as soon as a dude asked us and told him “hard pass.”

This is an amazing site. Really easy to get to and parking is close ($25 for underground). We were there during a blues festival and the atmosphere and people were great. Highly recommend it if you are visiting downtown

We were walking by the area and had to stop to visit The Cloud Gate. Relatively speaking, it wasn't terribly crowded. The fall colors were on full display in the nearby trees, and the reflection of the skyline was awesome to see. My son loved walking underneath the structure and looking up, as well as seeing how many angles of his reflection he could make. Then we got to thinking how we couldn't find any seams in the structure and appreciated how smooth it is. Right next to The Cloud Gate is the hockey rink which currently has the NHL Winter Classic flags around it. That was pretty cool to see too!

The classic free Chicago attraction better known as the "Bean" It never gets old for me as it's fun to take photos with visitors and loved ones. Go check it out!

They really cleaned this up! There's a security checkpoint to go through which makes it feel like a safe place to visit. It's a giant bean that you take a selfie in that's free to visit. It's fun, it's free, it's a landmark for the city!

While in Chicago I visited Cloud Gate, and it truly lives up to the hype! This iconic sculpture, affectionately known as "The Bean," is not just a piece of art; it's an experience. The first thing that struck me was its stunning reflective surface. Standing under it and looking up at the distorted skyline is a surreal moment that you won't want to miss. The location in Millennium Park is perfect--surrounded by greenery and other attractions, making it a great spot to relax and take photos. Speaking of photos, the Bean is a photographer's dream! I loved capturing different angles and reflections; every shot is unique. I went during the afternoon, and it was quite busy, but that only added to the vibrant atmosphere. There's something magical about seeing so many people enjoying this piece of art together. If you're in Chicago, make sure to stop by Cloud Gate. It's a fantastic blend of art, culture, and community. Don't forget to take a selfie--you'll want to remember this moment! Highly recommend

I never knew the official name of the Chicago Bean was Cloud Gate until my recent visit. My boyfriend and I arrived on a red-eye flight and couldn't check into our hotel yet, so we decided to tour around the city. Our first stop was Cloud Gate which was just a short walk from our hotel. We went around 6:30am on a Saturday and the place was pretty much empty. It was such a great decision to go at that time since we were able to get great shots with the bean with pretty much no one else around. There were maybe 5 people in that area of the park at that time in the morning, so if you want your money shot, go early!

I have been to the Cloud Gate twice. My first time being in winter 2021 and my second time was summer 2023. Both times were very different from each other and I found my winter visit to be my favorite out of the two. My winter visit was less crowded but cold. The summer visit was hot, muggy, and very crowded. There were people from all over the states and world visiting this place and everyone is trying to take pics of this oh so famous bean. The excitement lasted a few minutes for me and I was then ready to leave. Its definitely a one time visit.

Located in Millennium Park on N. Michigan Ave. and E. Randolph St. We were visiting Chicago and specifically wanted to visit Cloud Gate (the "Bean" sculpture). We visited in the evening and were not sure we'd have a good experience without the sun out, but we were wrong. The view was gorgeous with all the buildings lit up. It was breathtaking being there and experiencing its many mirrored sides. This is a must stop for all tourists.

Was suuuuuper super excited to come see this and we even got detoured trying to find this because for one, a few sections of the park were closed for some music festival and then two, there was some other Japanese art/food festival of some sort and you had to basically pay to get in. This whole area in general was still closed for construction so we got as close as we could to it. Still sad we missed out! Hoping to visit again soon when it's actually open. When I say detour, we had to go under the city, up a flight of stairs and come out on the other side lol! It was so odd and we were with a bunch of other lost people as well. Another street parking situation but wasn't bad. The walk was good although super humid and we actually missed and lucked out on rain which we were not prepared for. Apparently it poured hard back at the house but glad we didn't get hit by it on our walk! Super cool art piece to see and worth visiting! In the heart of Millenium Park and in the middle of Chicago with the best views of the city. IG: @ammysalamii

Several things to do and see in this park. Cloud gate (the bean) is a must stop. Love much in Chicago is free. Definitely walk around the park for various city scape view, the famous fountains. The cool concert area. The weekends are more crowded but hard if not unlikely to get pics with no other people in your shot. Fun people watching. Cindy's restaurant patio gives great view looking down. Recommend coming in daytime and in evening with city buildings lite up. Love to people watch here. People from all over the world. Some wedding parties, big families. My fav was someone came up carrying a fairly lage gnome statue ...threw it in the air took a single pic and left. Might bring a tripod, selfie stick or a friend to take pics. Highly recommend checking out cultural center across the street ... impressive glass dome ceiling and architecture.

With the beans location being in millennium and the cool back drop of the Chicago skyline I'd say it's worth it to check out because there's so much other great stuff to see at this park and nearby Grant Park to check out along the way. Early mornings probably before 9am is a good time if you're trying to get a picture without a ton of people around. The area around Cloud Gate is so big that you won't have to worry about an obstructed view even with large crowds. Actually the big crowds can be a plus since it's pretty easy to find someone that could help take a picture for you.

if you wanna take a pic with the Cloud Gate aka The Bean, just expect people around ya and just AI Remove them before uploading it to social media lol they open a certain time, so if you wanna go here at 7am to avoid the crowd, it ain't gonna be open. I wish there was a way to control the crown and just have people enjoy it and take picture with it peacefully. but that's just me hehe

Fun stop when visiting Chicago. Came on a Friday around 11 and it was pretty packed but felt like a must stop while in the city!

Awesome!!!!! What a beautiful day to check out the famous bean!!! A lot of people out there. But enough room for everyone to take picture and be kind!!!

Visiting The Bean in Chicago is always a treat! The way the city reflects off its polished surface is simply breathtaking and provides a unique perspective of the stunning skyline. It's a beautiful spot for both locals and tourists to admire and capture memorable photos. However, the recent addition of security measures requiring everyone to enter through a single gate is quite a nuisance. The line was incredibly long, likely due to the high number of visitors. While I understand the need for crowd control, having multiple entrances would make the experience much more pleasant and efficient. A little adjustment could go a long way in managing the flow without compromising on security.

Visiting Chicago for the first time from LA there was no way we couldn't stop by and see the BEAN. Great views and of course lot of people. If you have time to add this in your trip I'd recommend just for the memories. There are a couple places to grab food but not too many other things to do in the area. If possible don't forget to bring your hand sanitizer especially if you are getting photos up close!

Worth visit this time! Last February it was all fenced for maintenance. It's crazy the structure has different angles and can have different interpretations. The best one is when you're inside under the center of the structure---looking upwards was an endless floating reflection. I like the angle from the street as it reflects the skyline. So many people though didn't get a great photo op. But still bucket list checked.

Well, Yelp doesn't call this sculpture The Bean. I guess that is the term of endearment the local folk call it. I learned why the structure is called The Cloud Gate even though I think The Bean is more fitting. The artist wanted to bridge the sky and the viewer together by access through the gate. I would love to get a picture with no one in it, but this would be something that would be impossible to do. Touch it once to have your hand on something so very worthwhile to see. Take a picture and hope the dozens of others don't photobomb your shot. Maybe you could turn the tables and make funny gestures that could go viral. Being there on a cloudless day is what makes the experience so much better.

Very busy but iconic. Stop by if you can. It's a five minute visit. Then if weather is permitting head to the Buckingham Fountain and pass the Linocn Statue on the way.

You cannot go to Chicago and not stop by, "The Bean". It's a cool sculpture that attracts every tourist, like a moth to light. It does get busy when trying to take a picture, I've been several times and there is always a fascination with tourists. Unfortunately, we went during a time that it was CLOSED for construction. Location-wise it is right in the middle of Millennium Park. Once you are done taking the 1000th selfie, you can go around and explore the park. (Only 3 stars because the area was under construction)

Pretty but busy! Also not dog friendly but we came from out of town and did not know! We did not see any signage but they were super nice about it! Got a few pics with our dog and then respectfully left. The parking though is $28 dollars for the weekday and only for an hour!! Hefty.

A simple, spectacular art piece in Millennium Park for locals and tourists to enjoy. So glad I saw it when I visited. I had seen so many pics of people there but it is a must see, a fun, interactive experience. Too bad it's blocked off for park renovations for another few months. It's 168 pieces of stainless steel weighing 110 tons(!) welded to a seamless, smooth finish. I probably spent close to an hour here taking pics and looking at the Bean's reflections from all angles. Be sure to go under the Bean as well!

Why in the world is this thing such a tourist trap? Don't get me wrong, it's a cool statue, but this has got to be the most overcrowded place in Chicago. It's hard to even get up to the "Bean" to take a picture or touch it without being trampled by a large crowd. Also, the smoke smell, oh my gosh! didn't know Chicago had so many cigarette smokers. A bit of a culture shock from Arizona where most people have switched to vaping.

Cloud Gate (or "The Bean") is a cool thing to see while you're in Chicago. It's a free piece of art you can visit, and an iconic bit of Chicago art. Read up on the artist, Anish Kapoor - there is a bit of controversy there between himself and the art world, which I think taints his art a bit, but it's still worth a short viewing of Cloud Gate. There isn't much to do in the immediate area aside from seeing The Bean, taking your distorted reflection photos in it, and walking around the courtyard area it sits in. There are a few eateries near Cloud Gate, so you can also grab a drink or snack while you're in the area. Give this a stop for part of your time in Chicago, but seeing The Bean for a bit shouldn't take up too much of one of your Chicago days.

Crowded, but cool to say you did it once. Be prepared to take several pictures of a bean that looks the same in all of them. Still, make the most of it and check it off your tourist list. Of course we loved using it for a mirror pic.

Unbelievably beautiful. Nicknamed "the bean" & a must-see whether you are visiting or live here & for some reason have never been. This bean will put all beans you've ever seen to shame; that's how much of a true bean it is. Currently temporarily closed, haven't looked up why. Who would close a bean! How cruel. You can still see it if you go halfway up the stairs at Millenium Park/Wrigley Square; that's where I took my photographs from. You can also get up on the dirt to take a photo in front of the fence that's holding it captive, as I saw some tourists doing. From this distance it reflects one of the most beautiful streets to ever exist in the universe. At the bottom of the stairs is a skating rink (free, but you have to reserve a time online ahead of time) & public restrooms & outlets to charge ur devices located in 'Pritzker Pavillion.' There's also a shop. Millenium park is so beautiful. Thank you Chicago

According to their website it is closed for remodel. We went to check it out anyways to see if we could take a peek. See my picture. You can actually still see the top half. It's so shiny. I'm glad we got a peek.

Well, "life ' happened to me. it was under construction for remodeling till Spring. well, you can't get everything. Nevertheless, I did catch a glimpse of it from some distance. The Bean is a work of public art in the heart of Chicago. It was constructed in Millennium Park between 2004 and 2006 as part of a design competition, created by British-Indian artist Anish Kapoor. The sculpture, which is officially titled Cloud Gate, is one of the world's largest permanent outdoor art installations. The monumental work was unveiled in 2004 and quickly became one of Chicago's most iconic sights. The Bean's reflective surface was inspired by liquid mercury. This shiny exterior reflects the people moving around the park, the lights of Michigan Avenue, and the surrounding skyline and green space -- perfectly encapsulating the Millennium Park experience. The polished surface also invites visitors to touch the surface and observe their reflection, giving it an interactive quality. One might wonder how it was built - well here you go- The exterior of The Bean is made entirely of stainless steel (weighs 110 Ton). It was created using computer technology to precisely cut 168 massive steel plates, which were then fitted together and welded shut for a completely seamless finish. Fact: The Bean receives a power wash each day and a deep cleaning twice each year. During the deep clean, workers use nearly 40 gallons of detergent to bring the metallic surface back to its mirrored state.

Writing this purely with the purpose to only refer to the Bean as its rightful name in history, rather than the elitist garbage name that was assigned to it by its creator. Much like Frankenstein's monster, The Bean has taken on a life of its own.

Visiting the cloud gate is a great must see while visiting Chicago! This large chromed bean shaped statue is a must see!

While it is currently closed off, it was still cool to see. The park around it was really nice. It's worth exploring if you have the time and if the weather is nice.

This was on my bucket list for my Chicago trip. It's located in Millennium Park in Chicago's downtown Loop. I don't know how I managed to come at the perfect time when there was only a few people there. I guess I have the snow to thank for that! Took full advantage and got some great pics! It's such a unique structure and definitely a must see if you're in the area.

This probably would have been a bit cooler if there wasn't construction all around it, but I guess that's a good sign that they work on improving the experience. Would love to come back and get closer.

Very cool experience being able to see Cloud Gate, aka The Bean. Beautiful sculpture that sure does attract the masses. I came early on a Sunday morning in the winter and was able to walk around and really take it all in. Beautiful view of the sculpture and downtown Chicago.

Silver bean in a park. Funky looking. You can see yourself in the reflection. Take a picture or more. Nice. Very touristy.

I know it's petty to call out other reviews, but one review was a 1-star because "[Cloud Gate] is just a mirror tf???? Like why u gotta reflect everything." Lol. The reviewer also reports that while seeing himself in "the mirror" he was "looking pudgy af so the mirror ain't even [sh#t]." Bravo to this dude showcasing his ego being as robust as Cinderella's glass slipper. *clap clap* Real talk, I just wanted to know why this spot isn't a full 5 stars because I think the sculpture is a pleasantly intriguing and unique addition to Millennium Park. The main critique of it based on reading reviews though is that it's a bit tacky and clashes with the finely aged urban and "grounded" surroundings, and I can understand that point of view. As Mr. Cinderella mentioned, Cloud Gate has a very reflective surface. Artist Anish Kapoor was inspired by liquid mercury when designing the sculpture and viewers standing in its underside can see themselves multiplied and warped, which is a recurring theme in Kapoor's works evoking the thought of transcending into distorted and abstract dimensions. Overall it's a pretty neat landmark in Chicago (to me at least) and if you're still interested in checking it out as a quick stop in your Chicago trip then I say go for it.

Visiting the 'Bean' was on my Chicago bucket list. Currently it is closed behind construction fencing until early 2024 but it was still slightly visible. I spent a few minutes walking around Millennial Park which is very pretty. There were a lot of people out & about even on a rainy Sunday morning. It was $26 (up to 2 hours) to park in a nearby garage.

Cloud gate also known as the bean. Is a free outdoor sculpture. It mirrors a reflection of what it faces. Tons of people at all hours of the day so get there mad early. My friends and I went before sunrise to beat the crowds.

I've been to Millennium Park multiple times to see the Anish Kapoor's sculpture "The Cloud Gate" AKA The Bean. And I think it does look like a bean! I didn't know that the Bean is the #1 tourist attraction in the Midwest! This visit there is a fence around it as they recently started doing some maintenance to the pavers around the sculpture and the park. The maintenance is supposed to be going on until Spring, 2024. You can still see the sculpture from afar, you just can't walk under and through it to take the cool pics. You can still take a selfie though!

This park is very beautiful and very big although I went in December and the bean was under construction. It was truly a wonderful experience, and I will definitely visit again now that the Cloud Gate is no longer under construction.

I knew I wanted to see the Bean before I put the words "Chicago points of interest" into Google! Thus, Imagine my surprise when my Uber driver, who had been living in Chicago, told me he had never been. The same Uber driver made the interesting point that "The Bean" is something that belongs in Boston ("Beantown"). If you're visiting Chicago, it's one of the things to do. Very touristy, and people are almost always around taking photos. No shame in being one of them, too. While I didn't visit in the middle of the night or wee hours of the morning, there were plenty of people and security at all times. And why would there be? The Cloud Gate is not a cheesy roadside attraction or an overpriced tourist trap. Instead, it is a unique installation that reflects the city, people, and the park around it. I need a deeper vocabulary to describe the shape other than a cross between a cloud and a bean. The curvature acts as a funky wide-angle lens, and under the Bean is almost a kaleidoscope! What I also found very surprising is how shiny it is and the lack of any seams! It flows as one unit. Pro Tip: on a sunny day, remember sunglasses! Even though an argument can be made as to where this should or should not belong, it is one of Chicago's ultimate, instantly recognizable symbols. It's an experience that every visitor to Chicago should have at least once, whether you're drawn in by its charm or simply curious to see what all the fuss is about. New Yorkers tend to avoid Times Square like the plague, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one who has never been.

The "anchor" of Millennium Park! Chicago has some of the finest installations of public art in the world. Cloud Gate has to be one of the funkiest, weirdest, funnest pieces of artwork I've ever seen. Unveiled in Chicago in 2004, Cloud Gate is one of the most popular, if not THE most popular venues in the city. The crowds of people do not stop visiting this beautiful structure. It is a steady flow of humanity ALL day long. Maybe when it rains people stop visiting, but I'd love to see this alien structure in dreary weather. It was a gorgeous day in Chicago when we visited this past summer. We spent about three hours in beautiful Millennium Park and took tons of pictures at Cloud Gate. This is a spot that will never get old, and one that I will continue to visit on each trip.

Pretty cool place to just hang out and take pictures with the family. That's pretty much what we did. There was also a really cool Blues concert going on so we got to see/listen to that. Overall was a really cool place to see/visit.

This iconic sculpture is the city's signature piece and stands as a symbol of Chicago. It is located in the center of Millennium Park, which you have to clear security to get in. There are parking garages within a reasonable walking distance and you may be able to find some metered street parking as well, but I feel that the parking garage is the best route to go. This piece, nicknamed the Bean, is the work of artist Anish Kapoor who dedicated the piece in May 2006. It appears to be one big sculpture, but it is actually constructed of 168 individual stainless steel plates that are welded together. Its highly polished exterior has no visible seams though. The piece measures 33 by 66 by 42 feet, and weighs 110 tons. The sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. It has a constant flow of visitors that are taking pictures in front of and under it. You will find it hard to get a clear picture. This is an eye catching piece and is a must visit when you are in Chicago. I was there longer than most sculptures, in awe. I was amazed how the seams were hidden. I love this sculpture, it is one of my favorite pieces of all time. I highly recommend checking this place oit and is a must see when you are in Chi-town. When you visit, be sure to view it from different angles and from underneath it. Anyway, even though you will probably spend more time here than most similar sculptures, as with most sculpture that I have visited and reviewed, this is still not a long stop. I was there less than 20 minutes. So, you may want to consider planning out additional stops at many of the other attractions in the area, or making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. Such Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park.

My visit to Chicago was filled with anticipation, as I had longed to see The Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean," in all its magnificent glory. However, to my disappointment, The Cloud Gate was under construction during my visit. This iconic sculpture, a symbol of the city's artistic identity, was partially hidden beneath scaffolding and tarps, which obscured its usual reflective, polished surface. While I understood the necessity of maintenance and renovation, it was disheartening not to experience this iconic piece of public art in its full splendor. Nonetheless, I remained hopeful that future visits would allow me to witness The Cloud Gate in all its mirror-like, awe-inspiring glory, as it's undoubtedly one of Chicago's most captivating attractions. Sometimes, even when plans go awry, it only serves to stoke one's enthusiasm to return and see what you've missed.

What is Chicago without that beautiful Cloud Gate?! The Chicago skyline, the Bean, the flocks of tourists and locals alike. Yes it's a touristy venture but you still have to experience it at least once. There's a reason why so many people come to Millennium Park to admire this landmark; it's simply stunning. The Cloud Gate is actually the formal name for the sculpture that's been officially nicknamed "The Bean". But the Cloud Gate wouldn't be nearly as popular as it is without the beautiful Chicago Skyline backdrop. Something about the way the skyline cascades over the bean is just numbing. It's gorgeous from just about any angle and this is why it's one of the most photographed landmarks in Chicago. I too fell victim to the photo taking. I mean, how could you not? You have to capture this amazing moment whether that be through a selfie (like myself) or by other means. Social media peeps go crazy over this place. But, it's also just a wonderful place to admire and to people watch. A visit to the Cloud Gate is an absolute must when in Chicago, especially if it's your very first time visiting. Take lots of pictures and enjoy this beauty!

Beautiful outside artwork with a great picture opportunity for those visiting the area

The Cloud Gate is a very iconic "I've been to Chicago" picture. Located in Millennium Park, my friend and I knew this would be a busy tourist attraction so we went early in the morning. The parking garage for the millennium park was $24 for the first hour, or $26 on the weekend. The max is at $45/24 hours, not recommended. Had we known we would have saved money just uber/lyft-ing around and avoiding the hassle of bad drivers and finding parking. So even though we went early it was already crowded with idiots. Just a load of inconsiderate obnoxious people from all over the world interferring with your experience. I'm sure there were nice people too but the awful ons stood out the most. What a pain. Just manage your expectations when you go. So this "cloud" looks more like a bean. The stunning reflection from the bean can show you yourself and the surrounding buildings. It has the perfect backdrop for photos. Even when you are the photographer and not the primary focus, you might still show up in the background. So funny. If the place was less crowded with idiots and cleaner I would have some more fun creative poses to do with this "cloud". We definitely didn't need a full hour. We tried to walk around the area a little bit for morning exercise and to get our money's worth out of parking but this isn't somewhere to spend a ton of time at.

Honestly, I'm baffled how a bean with mirrors is a major tourist attraction, but alas...it is. If you have never seen it, it's worth a stop by for a selfie. It's bigger than you'd expect, but always busy. Once done, explore the park that it's in, finding the water art close by.

Love the bean. Love it. Go and take tons of photos! What a fun place!!! Great tourist photo spot!