Calder’s Flamingo - pink flamingos
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Calder’s Flamingo

4.7
·491 reviews·Chicago, United States

A monumental, vibrant red stabile sculpture by Alexander Calder, inviting exploration and admiration in Chicago's Federal Plaza.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better photos

CrowdLow
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Calder’s Flamingo - pink flamingos

Calder’s Flamingo

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better photos

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A monumental, vibrant red stabile sculpture by Alexander Calder, inviting exploration and admiration in Chicago's Federal Plaza.

4.7
(491 reviews)

"It's a classic! You can walk through/underneath. Reddit"

Vertical photo
TIP

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Walk around and under for unique angles. Great for elopement photos!

📍 Find the History

A plaque on the south side shares the sculpture's story.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Vermillion Flamingo

The Vermillion Flamingo

Federal Plaza

Alexander Calder's iconic, towering red stabile sculpture. A must-see abstract masterpiece.

Walk-Through Wonder

Walk-Through Wonder

Underneath the sculpture

Experience the scale and design by walking beneath the soaring arch. Offers unique photo ops.

Plaza Pause

Plaza Pause

Federal Plaza benches

Relax on the marble benches surrounding the sculpture. A perfect spot for a break or meeting friends.

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Planning Your Visit

Embrace the Red Giant

Calder's Flamingo is a massive, vibrant stabile sculpture in Chicago's Federal Plaza. It's a popular spot for photos and a great place to pause amidst the city bustle. Plan for it to be a quick, impactful visit.

Plaza Perks & Pondering

Federal Plaza offers marble benches for a relaxing break. The sculpture's open design invites you to walk beneath it, offering unique perspectives. It's a fantastic meeting point in the Loop.

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, better photos
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour light
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

I MET FLAMINGO IN 🚪 #roblox #flamingo #mrflimflam #albertstuff #horror #games #doors #fyp #foryoupage
@yaboigoldn
380.5K likes • 3.3M views

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Walk around and under for unique angles. Great for elopement photos! Instagram

📍 Find the History

A plaque on the south side shares the sculpture's story. Reddit

PUBLIC ART PT. 1: “Flamingo” by Alexander Calder❗️ As of right now, Calder’s Flamingo is my favorite sculpture in Chicago. It’s just so strange, so interesting, so … red. Built in 1973, it’s an example of the artist’s stabile works, as opposed to his mobiles. This piece is meant to do exactly what it does — make you circle it, wander underneath it, crane your neck as you follow the different lin...
mattzamudio
92 likes • 3.1K views
Where should you take pics after you elope in Chicago? • Cultural Center (no entry fee or permit required) • Chicago Theater • Calder’s Flamingo • Art Institute (starting at $14/ticket, no permit required) • Riverwalk • North Ave Beach • City Hall • Board of Trade • Milton Lee Olive Park If you want to go to one location, or multiple, inquire to receive my full pricing guide and we can hop on a...
makenzeymaephotography
15 likes • 501 views

🤝 Great Meeting Point

Easy to find and hard to miss, ideal for meetups. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Loop

Part of a larger art tour of downtown Chicago. Instagram

Calder’s Flamingo in Federal Plaza-Chicago. Reflections included. #alexandercalder #stabiles #flamingo #citybreak #livinglifetothefullest #redredred #art #constructivist #abstractsculpture
anjoola8
3 likes • 155 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📸 Perfect Photo Spot

Walk around and under for unique angles. Great for elopement photos! Instagram

📍 Find the History

A plaque on the south side shares the sculpture's story. Reddit

🤝 Great Meeting Point

Easy to find and hard to miss, ideal for meetups. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore the Loop

Part of a larger art tour of downtown Chicago. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.7
(491 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Calder's Flamingo for its striking visual appeal and its integration into the urban landscape. Many appreciate the opportunity to walk beneath the sculpture and relax on the surrounding benches. While it's a popular tourist spot, its free access and iconic status make it a must-see in Chicago's Loop.

"A really nice spot in the Loop to take a break and enjoy the surroundings. There are several marble benches that make it easy to sit down, relax, and even meet up with friends. The sculpture here is fun and eye-catching, and if you take a closer look, there’s a plaque on the south side that shares a bit of history and background about it, which adds to the experience. What’s interesting is that you’ll find several of these statues spread throughout the Loop, almost like a small outdoor gallery. They bring some character and variety to an area that might otherwise feel dominated by tall, plain high-rises. It’s a good mix of art, history, and a comfortable place to pause in the middle of the busy city."

Jacob Thompson

"Caldera’s 1974 iconic sculpture perfectly complements the Mies van der Rohe Modernist Federal Plaza. Its soaring arch and vermillion red make an impressive image. I love that you can walk through/underneath. It’s a classic!"

cliffb1930

"Very interesting experience. At the moment there was a peaceful and anemic protest against the United States war move on Iran."

Leonardo Lombard

What People Like

Iconic red sculpture
Walk-through design
Great meeting spot

What People Dislike

Can be crowded

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Calder's Flamingo is located in Federal Plaza in the Loop. It's easily accessible via public transportation. Several CTA 'L' train lines stop nearby, including the Washington/Wells (Brown, Orange, Pink, Purple lines) and Clark/Lake (Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple lines) stations. Many bus routes also serve the downtown area. Parking in the Loop can be expensive, so public transit is often recommended. Instagram

Federal Plaza is a public space in the heart of downtown Chicago and is generally considered safe. Like any urban area, it's wise to be aware of your surroundings. It's a popular spot for both tourists and locals, and often has a visible presence of people. Reddit

Yes, you can drive to Federal Plaza, but parking can be challenging and costly in the Loop. There are several parking garages in the vicinity. Consider using a parking app to find available spots and compare rates. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there are no tickets or admission fees required to see Calder's Flamingo. It is an outdoor public sculpture located in Federal Plaza, which is freely accessible to everyone. Instagram

Federal Plaza is a public space and is generally accessible during daylight hours. While there are no official posted hours for the plaza itself, it's a space that's open for public enjoyment. The surrounding federal buildings have their own operating hours. Reddit

Absolutely not! Calder's Flamingo is a public art installation, and viewing it is completely free. You can admire it and take photos any time you're in Federal Plaza. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

For the best lighting and fewer crowds, aim for weekday mornings. Late afternoons can also offer beautiful light as the sun begins to set, creating a warm glow on the red sculpture. Instagram

Generally, photography for personal use is allowed and encouraged. However, professional or commercial photography might require permits, especially if it involves extensive equipment or blocking public access. It's always a good idea to check with local authorities if you plan a large-scale shoot. Instagram

Experiment with different perspectives! Get low to emphasize its height, stand far back to capture its scale against the city skyline, or walk underneath to play with the arching forms. Reflections in nearby windows can also add an interesting element. Instagram

🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience

Federal Plaza offers marble benches for relaxation and people-watching. It's a great spot to take a break, enjoy the urban environment, and appreciate the surrounding architecture. It also serves as a meeting point for many. Reddit

Yes, absolutely! One of the most engaging aspects of Calder's Flamingo is that you can walk directly underneath its massive arch. This provides a unique perspective on its scale and design. Instagram

Yes, there is a plaque located on the south side of the sculpture that provides historical context and information about Alexander Calder and his creation. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Calder's Flamingo is a fantastic, free attraction for families! Kids are often mesmerized by the giant, bright red structure. Encourage them to walk under the sculpture to feel its immense size and imagine what it would be like to be a tiny ant. The open plaza space allows them to move around safely, and the marble benches are perfect for a snack break. It's a quick, engaging stop that adds a splash of color and fun to a day of exploring Chicago. TikTok

📸 Photographers & Art Enthusiasts

For photographers, Calder's Flamingo offers endless creative possibilities. The bold color and abstract form provide striking subjects. Experiment with wide-angle shots to capture its scale against the city skyline, or use the arching structure to frame your subjects. The surrounding plaza and reflective surfaces of nearby buildings can also add interesting elements to your compositions. Art enthusiasts will appreciate its significance as a major work by Alexander Calder, a pioneer of modern sculpture. Instagram+1

🚶‍♀️ Solo Travelers & Day-Trippers

Calder's Flamingo is an ideal stop for solo travelers or those on a day trip to Chicago. It's easily accessible in the Loop and requires no admission fee, making it a budget-friendly and time-efficient experience. Use it as a convenient meeting point, a place to rest your feet on the benches, or simply to marvel at a significant piece of public art. It's a great way to soak in some of Chicago's artistic flair without a major time commitment. Reddit

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Art of Alexander Calder

Alexander Calder (1898-1976) was an American sculptor best known for his innovative mobiles and stabiles. Mobiles are kinetic sculptures made of delicate, balanced elements that move with air currents, while stabiles are large, static, abstract metal structures. Calder's work is characterized by its bold colors, playful forms, and sense of movement, even in his stationary pieces. His artistic philosophy aimed to bring art into public spaces, making it accessible and engaging for everyone. Instagram

Calder's Flamingo, unveiled in 1974, is a prime example of his stabile work. Its immense scale and vibrant vermillion red hue make it a striking landmark in the otherwise modernist Federal Plaza. The sculpture's curves and open structure were intentionally designed to interact with its environment, inviting viewers to walk around and beneath it, experiencing its form from multiple viewpoints. The artist intended for his stabiles to be integrated into the urban landscape, adding a dynamic visual element to city life. Instagram

The creation of Calder's Flamingo involved complex engineering and fabrication. The large steel plates were cut, bent, and welded together to achieve the final form. Its placement in Federal Plaza, designed by architect Mies van der Rohe, creates a fascinating dialogue between different modernist aesthetics. The organic, playful curves of the Flamingo contrast with the rigid, geometric lines of the surrounding buildings, offering a dynamic visual experience for visitors. Reddit

Calder's Flamingo in Chicago's Urban Fabric

Calder's Flamingo is more than just a sculpture; it's an integral part of Chicago's urban landscape and a beloved landmark. Situated in Federal Plaza, it stands as a vibrant counterpoint to the surrounding modernist architecture, including buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe. The sculpture's bright red color and dynamic form draw the eye, offering a moment of artistic delight amidst the bustling business district. Instagram

Many visitors and locals alike use Federal Plaza and the Flamingo as a meeting point or a place to take a break. The surrounding marble benches provide a comfortable spot to sit, relax, and admire the artwork. Its accessibility and striking visual presence make it a popular backdrop for photographs, from casual tourist snapshots to more professional shoots like elopements. InstagramReddit

The presence of Calder's Flamingo contributes to Chicago's reputation as a city with a rich public art scene. It's often mentioned alongside other iconic Chicago artworks like 'The Bean' (Cloud Gate) and the Picasso sculpture, highlighting the city's commitment to integrating art into public spaces. The sculpture's enduring appeal lies in its ability to spark joy and curiosity, making art an accessible part of daily life for Chicagoans and visitors alike. Instagram

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