What is The Bean in Millennium Park in Chicago?
The Bean is a work of public art in the heart of Chicago’s downtown. 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 of the Chicago’s most iconic sights. The Bean is located in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago. The sculpture sits in the AT&T Plaza between Washington Street and Madison Street. It is just south of Millennium Station and near the Washington/Wabash CTA stop.Millennium Park is a can’t-miss attraction for any Chicago visit. The lakefront campus, located in the heart of downtown, is home to the iconic Cloud Gate statue (aka “The Bean”), interactive fountains, tranquil gardens, free events, public art, skating rinks, rock climbing, and plenty of green space.Good morning from Chicago and Cloud Gate — commonly known as „The Bean” 🫘 The Bean cost around $23 million and was funded by private donations. The sculpture is a major attraction and attracts around 25 million visitors each year.The Bean is located in Millennium Park, the lakefront park in Chicago’s downtown Loop. It sits above the McCormick Tribune Plaza, where you’ll find alfresco dining in the summer and a free skating rink in winter. If you’re walking on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe, you really can’t miss it.
What happened to the Big Bean in Chicago?
The Bean” is back! The construction to the area surrounding the iconic sculpture is now complete, just in time for Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary season. Cloud Gate, better known as “The Bean”, has been a Chicago landmark since it was first unveiled in 2006. While locals and visitors widely use the nickname “The Bean” because of its kidney-bean shape, the sculpture’s formal name reflects its design concept. Its highly polished surface captures and frames the sky above Chicago, creating a “gate” to the clouds through reflection.
Can I touch the Chicago Bean?
This is one of Chicago’s most popular tourist destinations. The Bean is a curious attraction. Reflecting everyone around it and the cities skyscrapers. Take pictures, touch and enjoy it. The bean and Art Institute are really close together as both are in Millennium Park. The bean is under construction, but you can still get close enough to see and take photos of it from a distance. Magnificent Mile is on the same street. All can be done in the same day.