Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC) is bringing its experiential museum to Chicago this coming summer 2022.
Located at The Shops at Tribune Tower at 435 N Michigan Ave, the one-of-its-kind space will span 13,544 square feet and encompass retail, entertainment, and a cafe and bar. The whimsical installations, imaginative tours, themed retail, and more are designed under the premise that ice cream is a symbol of joy, a universal connector and a transportive vehicle for anyone’s imagination.
MOIC Chicago will serve up a playground of boundless creativity and bring to life the delightful dreams of the ice cream obsessed with 14 dessert-inspired installations. Guests will enjoy five unique ice cream treats as they are guided through the 60 to 90-minute experience by talented #TeamMOIC performers. Plans for the new location will feature fan favorites, like MOIC’s famous Sprinkle Pool, in addition to thoughtful new features and attractions designed specifically for Chicago including:
- Sprink-L: enter the experience through a Chicago-inspired CTA “L” and ride the “Pink Line” into the speakeasy
- Speakeasy: an opulent 3,500 square foot speakeasy to enjoy cocktails, food and sweet treats; accessible to the general public
- Putt Putt: score a hole-in-one in a giant dessert themed putt putt course, complete with a pink chicago dog ice cream treat!
- Museum of Modern Ice Cream – MoMi: MOIC’s educational and interactive museum exhibit showcasing historical ice cream memorabilia
Museum of Ice Cream first kickstarted the experiential movement into high gear in 2016 with its New York pop-up, establishing itself immediately as a playground of boundless creativity for the ice cream obsessed and selling out quickly with a growing waitlist of 200,000 guests. It has since become a cultural phenomenon, creating a new type of experience called “experiums”, and selling out stints in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Austin, and Singapore. Jimmy Kimmel deemed it as the “Hamilton of Museums”, and the Smithsonian ranked Museum of Ice Cream in its top 10 most Instagrammed museums in the world. Hundreds of celebrities, such as David Beckham, Stephen Curry, Ryan Reynolds, Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and the Kardashians are fans.
“Museum of Ice Cream has been wildly popular and successful throughout so many cities and I am thrilled to see it coming to Chicago,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “We’re constantly seeking ways to bring residents and visitors back to our Mag Mile, and this installation will certainly support that goal. I look forward to seeing how this museum will not only become an economic driver on Michigan Avenue but bring creativity and delight to residents and tourists alike.”
Maryellis Bunn, Co-Founder and Creative Director, says: “The opportunity to open one of the most ambitious formats of Museum of Ice Cream at Tribune Tower on the Magnificent Mile is incredibly exciting. The history of architecture, art and revolutionary commerce in this district over the past 100 years makes this a perfect setting for the next iteration of Museum of Ice Cream. Not only will there be new installations, but MOIC Chicago will debut an updated format to engage families during the day and help adults celebrate at night in true MOIC style. We are thrilled to bring Museum of Ice Cream to Chicago’s storied Michigan Avenue and even more thrilled to be creating new experiences and features that reflect and celebrate the essence of Chicago.”
Manish Vora, Co-Founder, adds: “I was born in the Midwest and my father worked in North Chicago when I was a young boy. It’s a dream come true to be building Museum of Ice Cream in a place that birthed my love of ice cream, my passion for design and my obsession with urban exceptionalism. MOIC was created to inspire imagination and creativity for everyone, and it’s our intention to bring that spirit of joy to Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile. In a city bursting with entertainment, art, community and one of the most innovative culinary landscapes in the world, MOIC is thrilled to bring a bit more magic, joy and all things unexpected to Chicago.”
As a socially responsible business, MOIC will look to bring its own brand of fun in the safest possible manner. The museum will put in place hygiene, safe-distancing, and logistical guidelines for its attraction, as well as retail and F&B spaces—all without taking away from its unique brand experience.
Advanced reservations to the experiential ice cream journey will launch in limited quantities ahead of the grand opening. To join the waitlist, guests can sign up for ticket sales alerts at www.museumoficecream.com/chicagowaitlist and follow @museumoficecream for updates and announcements.
Featured Image Credit: Museum of Ice Cream