Preston Bradley Hall inside the Chicago Cultural Center is home to the world’s largest Tiffany Glass Dome. The mosaics are hugely impressive, too.
Chicago brims with top quality attractions.
The public art in Millennium Park has become legendary, the Art Institute of Chicago has a phenomenal collection, the Field Museum is gargantuan.
That’s before you get on to the architecture and gangster heritage.
Why book the Chicago Tiffany art glass walking tour?
- 🏛️ Explore Chicago’s hidden masterpieces: Visit stunning, lesser-known landmarks featuring Louis Comfort Tiffany’s signature stained glass and mosaics.
- 🖼️ Guided by architectural experts: Learn how Tiffany’s work helped shape the American decorative arts movement from knowledgeable local guides.
- 🚶 Compact and convenient: The tour covers downtown highlights on foot in under two hours—perfect for architecture fans on a tight schedule.
- 💡 Ideal for art and history lovers: See a unique side of Chicago’s Gilded Age that most visitors miss entirely.
Why visit the Chicago Cultural Center?
With so much on offer, it’s no wonder that many visitors give the Chicago Cultural Center a pass.
From the outside, it’s chunky and imposing, but not especially impressive in the birthplace of the skyscraper.
The exhibitions held inside the Chicago Cultural Center are somewhat hit and miss, too. Sometimes they’re worth a look, sometimes they’re not.
The Tiffany Dome in Preston Bradley Hall
However, the Chicago Cultural Center could be hosting the worst exhibition in history, and it would still be worth visiting. And that’s because of Preston Bradley Hall.
Inside are two stained glass domes, the largest of which is by legendary glass artist Louis Comfort Tiffany.
This is the largest Tiffany glass dome in the world, covering 1,000 square feet.
It’s a masterpiece of entrancing, twinkling splendour. And it’s arguably Chicago’s most underrated attraction.
The mosaics of Preston Bradley Hall
What’s more, the Tiffany dome in Preston Bradley Hall is surrounded by mesmerising mosaics. Made with glass and mother of pearl, they feature quotations in multiple languages and the names of literary giants from around the world.
Working out which language is which is part of the fun, but the overall effect makes you feel rather small. All-in-all, this is a work that demands to be admired.
Five great things to do in Chicago
- 🏙️ Marvel at the skyscrapers – on a Chicago River architecture cruise.
- 🖼️ Take an interiors architecture tour – to see stunning glass art and mosaics.
- 🍕 Taste Chicago’s favourite dishes – on a city favourites food tour.
- 🌆 Visit the Willis Tower observation deck – and see the city from above.
- 🕵️ Discover Chicago’s gangster heritage – on a crime and mob tour.
Preston Bradley Hall on an architecture tour
Preston Bradley Hall is a fine piece of supporting evidence for my argument that you should do an architecture walking tour in Chicago, as well as an architecture cruise.
I would not have known it existed had I not visited on an architecture walking tour that focused on building interiors.
How much does it cost to visit the Chicago Cultural Center?
Obviously, you don’t need to go on a tour to see Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center. Entrance is free. You can just walk in and stumble your way through your maze.
But if glass art is your thing, it’s worth taking a tour that focuses on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s glass art across the city.
The Tiffany Treasures walking tour costs $35 at the time of writing. That’s worth paying for the knowledgeable guide who can tell you the back story behind Tiffany’s multiple works across Chicago.
More Chicago travel
For more Chicago activity and experience ideas, head here.
Other Chicago travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Tribune Tower – the building that stole the world.
- Kayaking along the Chicago River.
- Ten reasons why Chicago is the best city in the US.
- Falling instantly in love with Chicago.
- The joy of visiting Chicago third time round.
- Do I need to buy Art Institute of Chicago tickets in advance?
- The best attractions in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
