Cloud Gate ("The Bean") Chicago: Annual Visitor Statistics

Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate—affectionately dubbed "The Bean"—is one of the world’s most visited and photographed public artworks.

Key Statistic

~1.5 million visitors per year (pre-pandemic baseline; numbers have rebounded strongly post-2022).

Context

• Located in Millennium Park, downtown Chicago (AT&T Plaza).
• Free, accessible 24/7, year-round.
• Major draw for domestic & international tourists, Instagrammers, wedding parties, and architecture tours.
• Part of a larger cultural campus: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Crown Fountain, Lurie Garden, Art Institute of Chicago.

Economic Impact

Millennium Park as a whole generates an estimated $2.5B+ annually in visitor spending for Chicago. The Bean is its undisputed anchor attraction.

Fun fact: The 110-ton stainless steel sculpture has no seams—its mirror finish reflects 80% of the sky and skyline, making every photo unique.