When I lived in Chicago I had a membership to the Art Institute of Chicago. Because I worked in the Loop, I was able to visit frequently during my lunch breaks. I missed it.

New York certainly has a stellar selection of fine art museums, but they’re always crowded with tourists. The AIC always provided me with inspiration and respite, while NYC museums stress me out. So I returned during my December trip to Chicago to check in on my favorites: Hopper, Motley, Wood. Monet, Seurat, Caillebotte. Heade, O’Keeffe.