Fun Don't Cost a Thing: Free Activities in Chicago
Just because you’re visiting the Windy City on a tight budget doesn’t mean you have to miss out on its top attractions
There are plenty of fun, free things to do when you stay in Chicago, whether you enjoy high-end cultural events, a trip to the zoo or a simple day at the beach. You’ll find free activities in Chi Town that cater to a variety of interests.
Take a Tour
Chicago Greeter is a unique little company that pairs you up with a local resident to go on a tour of the city. The excursion typically lasts from two to four hours and the sites you'll see are based on your personal interests, such as art and architecture, family-friendly destinations and local foods. The company uses more than 200 volunteers and is able to offer the tours completely free of charge (and in more than a dozen different languages), but you must sign up for the event more than 10 days in advance. If you’re short on time, consider the InstaGreeter option, a quick and free one-hour tour of downtown Chicago that doesn’t require reservations.
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Explore Art and Culture
Some of the best free events in Chicago can be found at the immensely popular Chicago Cultural Center. Enjoy top-notch programming throughout the year, including film screenings, art exhibits, live dance and theatrical performances, all free of charge. The center also stages an array of concerts throughout the year, covering such diverse acts as electronic dance music DJs to classical pianists. The center showcases works by local, national and international artists, some of whom participate in post-event lectures and Q&A sessions. Events take place inside an ornate 1897 building outfitted with precious stones, polished brass fixtures and two domed ceilings adorned with Tiffany stained glass.
Go Wild at the Zoo
Most great zoos charge admission, but the 35-acre Lincoln Park Zoo welcomes the general public completely free of charge. Home to more than 200 animals, this is one of many popular landmarks to see in Chicago that draw large crowds, but there’s still plenty of room to catch a glimpse of the animals, including frolicking polar bears, African lions and chimpanzees. Experience some hands-on fun at the Farm-in-the-Zoo exhibit— you can feed cows, learn more about the process for milking animals and enjoy some gardening demonstrations, all for free. There’s a fee to ride the miniature train and carousel, but the animal trainers host free talks and lectures daily.
Park and Play
Nestled in the heart of downtown, Millennium Park hosts a series of free events throughout the year, including an extensive summer concert series. Additional free programming includes dance performances and art shows, as well as tours of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, built by revered architect Frank Gehry, and self-guided tours through the five-acre Lurie Garden. Take the pedestrian bridge to the attached Maggie Daley Park, where the whole family can explore the unique Play Garden outfitted with enormous bridges, slides, forested pathways and a metal ship.
Hit the Beach
Fly a kite, unwind with a picnic or simply soak up some rays on the sandy shores of the North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park. Cool off in the refreshing waters of Lake Michigan or just lie back and enjoy the sweeping views of Chicago's massive skyline. Make sure to explore the public beach house, a quirky building made to look like a docked ocean liner. Climb up to the second floor to check out of the view from whimsical portholes. The beach also offers a bustling lakefront trail, buzzing with the sound of pedestrians, cyclists and skaters.
Take Time to Unwind
Take a daytrip to the 385-acre Chicago Botanic Garden and stay in Glencoe, which is located just 24 miles north of Chicago. Spend your day exploring the grounds’ 27 gardens, pausing to enjoy fragrant and colorful displays in the rose, English walled and bulb gardens. The large lake, dotted with nine islands and 6 miles of waterfront trails, adds to the peace and tranquility of this protected land. The garden is also home to a famed bonsai collection of nearly 200 bonsais, including a Japanese white pine that’s more than 100 years old. While the gardens are free to enter, there is a fee for parking.