Really ?????!!!!!!?????

sorry for the delayed response. You could get pretty close for photos but there are low fences that keep you about 20 feet back. Don't know if it was that way before. I thought it was pretty accessible and it was fun to view and look at from different angles. Different angles reveal different reflections.

You can make it if you take taxi in both way with 20 min. visiting time.

Cool - thanks for the suggestion, will check it out!

We go several times a year and the crowd varies with the day of week as well as the weather. if you go on a weekday (not during summer or holidays) you will probably find the crowds much more manageable any time of the day or evening. If you are planning to go on a weekend or during summer, its best to go around 9 or 10 am to beat the swarm of visitors.

There is a large parking garage under Millennium Park that would be most convenient. If you park at the north end, closer to Randolph, you'll come out of the garage closer to the Bean. I always use Spot Hero for prepaid parking. Put in your destination, and they'll show you a map with all available parking nearby. It's excellent and will save you a lot of cash.

Art Institute of Chicago is just across Millennium Park

There is card you can purchase that allows you to visit many attractions in the city for one price. They have hop on hop bus tours around the city.

Parking is always difficult and expensive in Chicago. Most lots accept credit cards and if you park on the street, more than likely you will have to pay as well at a machine, that also accepts credit cards. Best bet is to Uber or take a train from wherever you are coming from.

I don't know but I would imagine most places do take credit cards