Why You Should Spend Tuesday Lunch at Chicago's MCA

If you work in the Chicago's River North or Streeterville neighborhoods and find yourself with a little time at lunch on Tuesdays, consider a stop at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art instead of yet another visit to the corner restaurant.

Heading to the Museum of Contemporary Art will give you the pleasure of a lunchtime walk, and once you get to the Museum of Contemporary Art Plaza (on Chicago Avenue 2 blocks east of Michigan Ave.), you'll find plenty to keep you occupied.

On Tuesdays, admission to the museum is free, which means you can spend 20 or 30 minutes enjoying the art and not feel guilty about not getting your entrance-fee's worth. The museum's collection is centered around works made since 1945. The more than 2,500 objects in the permanent collection include paintings, sculptures, artists' books, and photographs. Because only a small portion of the collection is on view at any one time, repeat visitors may see a continually rotating selection of art, with new pieces appearing on each visit. Expect to see art works by Alexander Calder, Chuck Close, Felix Gonzales-Torres, Jeff Koons, Kerry James Marshall, Claes Oldenberg, Ed Paschke, and Cindy Sherman.

The Museum of Contemporary Art also puts on a changing series of temporary exhibitions that include paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, video, and occasionally performance art. Expect the temporary exhibitions to be much more cutting-edge than what you'd find at Art Institute.

If you've brought your kids with you to the office for the day, check out the Museum of Contemporary Art's Creation Stations. Creation stations in 2010 address form or motion in art, drawing, and Alexander Calder. Every Tuesday, during lunchtime on the plaza and after work on the terrace, the museum offers free art activities for kids and families. There is also a playground immediately across the street on the plaza, for a quick physical-activity break. My daughter enjoyed the playground so much she still talks about going there.

The Museum of Contemporary Art's restaurant, Puck's at the MCA, is both a full-service restaurant and an express counter, which is especially helpful for those looking for a quick lunch-hour bite. Puck's offers a seasonal lunch menu with Mediterranean and Asian influences. If you don't feel like eating out, bring a lunch for yourself and eat it outside near the museum, on the plaza or in the park across the street.

In summer on your way back to the office, or as a quick stop on its own, check out the farmer's market on the Museum of Contemporary Art Plaza (June-October, 7 AM-3PM). You'll find seasonal fresh produce, breads, nuts, jams and jellies, cheeses, flowers, and pies or other sweet baked goods.