Cloud Gate (The Bean)
Cloud Gate — universally called 'The Bean' — is Anish Kapoor's 110-ton, mirror-polished stainless-steel sculpture at the heart of Millennium Park. Free and open daily, it reflects the Chicago skyline in a seamless liquid-mercury surface and ranks as the city's single most-photographed landmark.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 06:00–23:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | CTA Washington/Wabash station (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple Lines) — 2-block walk east on Randolph St |
| Time needed | 20–45 minutes to walk around, photograph, and stand beneath the omphalos |
| Best time to go | Early morning (6–7 a.m.) for fewest crowds and softest light; golden hour at sunset for skyline glow; avoid midday summer weekends |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Locals Score
- Value9.0
- Freshness5.9
- Crowd level4.0
- Authenticity7.5
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- Can I touch The Bean?
- Yes — unlike most major public sculptures, visitors are encouraged to touch Cloud Gate's polished surface. The lower portion is hand-cleaned twice daily to remove fingerprints and keep the reflection pristine.
- Is there an admission fee to see The Bean?
- No. Cloud Gate and all of Millennium Park are completely free and open to the public every day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. No ticket, reservation, or tour guide is required — you simply walk up.
- Is Cloud Gate accessible for wheelchair users?
- Fully. The 2024 plaza renovation added ADA-compliant ramps and redesigned stairs, making the entire Grainger Plaza wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are also available at Millennium Park events from the Patron Service Tent.
- Was The Bean recently renovated?
- Yes. Cloud Gate was closed from August 2023 and fully reopened on June 23, 2024, after the City of Chicago rebuilt Grainger Plaza with new ADA-compliant ramps, redesigned stairs, a new waterproofing system, and replaced pavers throughout.
- What are the hours for Cloud Gate?
- Cloud Gate is accessible daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., in line with Millennium Park's general hours. Access may be temporarily restricted during severe weather or special events.
- What is the concave underside of The Bean called?
- The concave arch underneath is called the omphalos. Walking beneath it and looking up compresses and inverts the Chicago skyline in a way that photographs rarely capture — it's considered the must-do move at the sculpture.
- What else can I do near The Bean in Millennium Park?
- Millennium Park hosts free summer concerts at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Crown Fountain interactive water feature, the peaceful Lurie Garden, and Maggie Daley Park (accessible via the BP Bridge) with climbing walls and a winter skating ribbon. The Art Institute of Chicago is directly connected via the Nichols Bridgeway.
- How do I get to The Bean by public transit?
- Take any CTA Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, or Purple Line train to Washington/Wabash station, then walk two blocks east on Randolph Street. Multiple bus routes also stop on Michigan Avenue at the park's edge.
Nearby in Ask Chicago
- Cloud Gate (The Bean)Attraction0.01 km · 0 min walk
- Getting Around Chicago Without a CarGetting around0.02 km · 0 min walk
- Best Time to Visit ChicagoAttraction0.02 km · 0 min walk
- Millennium ParkPark0.07 km · 1 min walk
- Cindy's RooftopRestaurant0.15 km · 2 min walk
Where to stay near Cloud Gate (The Bean)
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