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.

When I first viewed "the Bean", correctly named Cloud Gate, 15 years ago, I was underwhelmed and didn't understand all the fuss. Over time, I have learned to appreciate this public work of art. The reflective nature of the artwork is quite beautiful and the concave chamber inside that multiplies reflections is really cool. The much-photographed piece of art has now become an iconic part of Chicago. It, Millennium Park and adjacent Grant Park with its Buckingham Fountain is well worth seeing during a visit to Chicago. My only negative comment is that it is always mobbed with visitors which detracts from the experience. I suppose it could be fun to be part of the excitement when it is busy, but I would try to visit very early in the morning especially if you want to get some good photos. Even though it is all the good things I describe above, it really doesn't deserve the amount of attention that it ends up getting.

Fun to see but the bean was fenced off for some reason put a real damper on the visit. I assume it’s either a short term project or for the winter weather. Regardless it was cool would like to see it up close next time.

Visited: 06/07/2023 Inside Millennium Park, this sculpture/artwork is affectionately nicknamed "The Bean". It is quite remarkable and we enjoyed trying to take pictures of ourselves in the reflective surface. Can get hot when in the sun for a long time, so be careful on warm days. However, the underneath/gate of the sculpture is really cool and refreshing. It is a lot bigger than you realise and spcaious underneath as well.

Unlike Loop artworks by Picasso, Chicago, Miro, and Calder that celebrate "the City of Chicago," two installations in Millennium Park and one in a park south of the Art Institute focus on "the people of Chicago," or more specifically "how the people of Chicago inhabit public spaces like parks." "Cloud Gate" (also called The Bean) is the most popular of these. The upper part of "the bean" reflects ALL of the surrounding city. The lower part reflects ALL of the people who enter the park and approach the sculpture. What is a city park? It is where countless people gather inside of a great city. People see themselves and others in their city. It's interactive. As you move closer, you change, those around you change, and the city changes. Everyone laughs and poses and smiles and photographs. The happy people of Chicago endlessly watch the people of Chicago being happy.

We visited the Bean, since it is now open again after being renovated. The surrounding sidewalk is new and refurbished. It is a free attraction and a modern icon of Chicago’s lakefront. I recommend a visit. It is interesting to take photos of the reflecting images and skyscrapers of the Chicago skyline.

In August 2024, the bean had just been freshly polished and shone in its new glory. Crowds are probably always here. In the late afternoon it was really crowded but you could still take pictures and go for a walk.