Six places to start. You will not see them all, and that is fine. Pick two, walk slow, talk to the people behind the work.
The flagship. Nine floors, hundreds of studios, three hours minimum if you want to see most of it. Anchored by Public Functionary and Yeah Maybe in the main galleries.
The other big one. Painters, ceramicists, fiber artists. Quieter halls than NKB, easier to actually talk to the artist.
The old Northwestern Casket Company. Three floors of studios in a building that used to make caskets for the Upper Midwest. Worth it for the building alone.
Smaller, scrappier, and home to Indeed Brewing on the ground floor. The best place to start or end the day.
Eight floors, deep roster of working artists. Slightly off the main loop, which means shorter lines.
On Central Ave, surrounded by food and beer. Good first stop if you're coming from south of the river.
Inside Solar Arts. Walk out of a studio, walk into a pint.
Patio, food trucks on Art-A-Whirl weekend, walking distance to Northrup King.
If you can get in. (Note: Young Joni closed in September 2025. Pivot to Pizzeria Lola in Southwest or Black Sheep on Washington if heading downtown.)
Central Ave, just south. Pulled chicken, collard greens, fast.
East Side. A bigger meal after a long studio day.