44 Free Things to Do in Chicago

Hanging out in Chicago can get dear, relying on what you do.

If you wish to jam out at Lollapalooza, see the Cubs play at Wrigley Discipline and take a dinner cruise alongside the Chicago River, count on to drop a whole lot of {dollars} over the course of a pair days. And with pricing rising in all places, it’s tougher than ever to stretch your greenback.

But when your finances is tight, there’s nonetheless loads of enjoyable available within the Windy Metropolis.

We’ve rounded up 44 free issues to do in Chicago so you possibly can get pleasure from your self whereas saving cash.

44 Free Issues to Do in Chicago

Although vaccinations have lessened COVID restrictions at many sights, it’s a good suggestion to verify forward with the venue for tips. And produce a stash of masks, simply in case.

Should-See Points of interest in Chicago

These prime vacationer sights received’t price you a factor.

1. Millennium Park

Millennium Park is a 24.5-acre park within the downtown Chicago Loop district. It’s dwelling to Cloud Gate, the enduring mirrored public artwork sculpture generally often known as “The Bean.”

If it’s your first time within the metropolis, you’ll need to snap a pic for Instagram. Different notable options of Millennium Park embody the Crown Fountain, the Lurie Backyard and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

2. Jay Pritzker Pavilion

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion is an leisure hotspot at Millennium Park. The out of doors amphitheater hosts free dwell music live shows and free film screenings in the summertime.

3. Grant Park

Grant Park is named “Chicago’s Entrance Yard.” The almost 313-acre area contains Millennium Park at its northwest nook and can be dwelling to the Artwork Institute of Chicago, the Discipline Museum of Pure Historical past, Buckingham Fountain, Maggie Daley Park, the Petrillo Music Shell and Congress Plaza.

Many festivals and occasions are held in Grant Park — together with the free Grant Park Music Festival which options performances by the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Refrain and others all summer time lengthy. There’s additionally a skate park, public artwork and loads of greenspace.

4. The Magnificent Mile

Take a look at all of the flagship shops and high-end manufacturers alongside Chicago’s Magnificent Mile — a 13-block stretch of retail, eating places and inns alongside North Michigan Avenue from Oak Road to the Chicago River.

It’s the proper place to window store and folks watch. You may additionally spot some attention-grabbing avenue artwork alongside this vacationer strip.

5. Navy Pier

Dubbed the Folks’s Pier, Navy Pier is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot off Lake Michigan on Grand Avenue. Take a look at the enormous Ferris wheel and the view of the Chicago skyline.

All summer time lengthy, Navy Pier places on a free fireworks present each Wednesday and Saturday night time. The pier additionally hosts about 250 free public packages every year.

6. Chicago Riverwalk

Get pleasure from waterfront views of the Chicago River on the 1.25-mile Chicago Riverwalk. Take within the public murals, sculptures and banners alongside this scenic walkway.

Should you’re out at night time, the Chicago Riverwalk has the most effective views of Art on theMART, one of many largest everlasting digital artwork projections on this planet.

For Artwork and Historical past Lovers

Immerse your self in tradition and data with free admission to the various Chicago museums and galleries.

7. Chicago Cultural Middle

This cultural hub is positioned in considered one of Chicago’s landmark buildings. Take a free tour of the Chicago Cultural Center and take a look at the artwork displays and the gorgeous stained-glass domes. The middle additionally hosts free motion pictures, lectures, musical exhibits and dance performances.

8. Good Museum

The Smart Museum, named after Esquire journal founders David and Alfred Good, is an artwork museum with a give attention to advanced points and numerous concepts. It’s a part of the College of Chicago and is positioned on the north fringe of the campus in Hyde Park.

Admission is at all times free to the general public. The Good Museum is open Thursdays by means of Sundays. The museum is currently closed till Sept. 21, 2022 for renovations.

9. Nationwide Museum of Mexican Artwork

The National Museum of Mexican Art showcases Mexican artwork and tradition from people artwork to fashionable works. The museum is positioned in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, which is the guts of the town’s Mexican neighborhood. It’s open Tuesday by means of Sunday, and admission is free for all.

10. DePaul Artwork Museum

The DePaul Art Museum is positioned in Lincoln Park on the campus of DePaul College. The museum includes a everlasting assortment of over 3,500 items of artwork and welcomes 4 to 9 momentary exhibitions every year.

11. Oriental Institute Museum

The Oriental Institute Museum is a part of the College of Chicago and features a huge assortment of historic Center Jap artifacts. Admission is free however donations are recommended. Reservations are extremely advisable for entry. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday.

12. Wabash Arts Hall

The Wabash Arts Corridor options over 40 avenue murals and features a handful of artwork galleries and sculptural installations. When you’re there, take a look at Jacob Watt’s “Moose Bubblegum Bubble” mural.

13. sixteenth Road Murals

See dozens of murals alongside the sixteenth Road railroad embankment. It is a good spot to admire public artwork from varied avenue artists. You’ll want to snap some pics.

14. Hyde Park Artwork Middle

The Hyde Park Art Center is a hub for modern artwork positioned on the South Aspect of Chicago. Annually the middle hosts about 200 free public occasions.

15. The Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Tradition

The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture celebrates the richness of Puerto Rican life and historical past. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday and options free artwork displays and hosts occasions and workshops all year long. The museum is positioned in Humboldt Park, which is a hub for Chicago’s Puerto Rican neighborhood.

16. Design Museum of Chicago

The Design Museum of Chicago showcases design parts throughout a wide range of mediums — from structure to calligraphy. Displays frequently change all year long.

17. Metropolis Gallery on the Historic Water Tower

City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower is a Chicago landmark, which showcases native artwork and images. The gallery is positioned alongside Magnificent Mile. Whereas admission is free day by day, this attraction is presently closed to the general public because of the pandemic.

18. First United Methodist Church on the Chicago Temple

First United Methodist Church is Chicago’s oldest church, based in 1831. It’s additionally one of many tallest church buildings on this planet, housed in a 23-story neo-gothic skyscraper downtown. Excursions of the Sky Chapel on the constructing’s prime flooring, in addition to church providers, are free.

19. Harold Washington Library

The Harold Washington Library is the principle department of the Chicago Public Library System. The ten-story constructing features a maker lab, a winter backyard and distinct areas for youths and teenagers. When you’ve got a Chicago Public Library card, you will get a Children Museum Passport which supplies free passes for at the very least 15 completely different native museums and sights. The library additionally hosts free occasions and workshops all year long.

20. Chicago Historical past Museum

The Chicago History Museum showcases the tales of the town’s previous. Whereas the museum is just not a free attraction for all, it presents free admission to Illinois residents ages 18 and underneath and free admission to non-residents ages 12 and underneath. Members of the Chicago Historical past Museum, activity-duty army personnel and veterans, Chicago police, Chicago firefighters and Illinois lecturers additionally get completely free admission.

21. Chicago Structure Basis

The Chicago Architecture Center, beforehand named the Chicago Structure Basis, is the place you possibly can be taught all in regards to the metropolis’s skyscrapers, historic landmarks, housing sorts and numerous neighborhoods. The middle options the most important scale mannequin of Chicago and has particulars about future constructing initiatives. Whereas the middle is just not free for all, it presents free admission to youngsters 5 and underneath, activity-duty army personnel and Chicago Structure Basis members.

22. Museum of Up to date Artwork

The Museum of Contemporary Art displays the work of residing artists, together with new artists. Whereas the Museum of Up to date Artwork is just not a free attraction for all, it presents free admission to guests ages 18 and underneath, museum members, activity-duty army personnel and veterans, Chicago police, Chicago firefighters, Illinois lecturers and guests with disabilities and their caregivers. Admission can be free for Illinois residents each Tuesday.

23. Artwork Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is a downtown artwork museum that includes a assortment of labor from artists all around the world all through varied eras in time. Although this attraction does require tickets for most people, it’s free for Chicago residents underneath 18, all youngsters underneath age 14, college students of associate faculties and universities, active-duty army personnel, Illinois lecturers, WIC or LINK cardholders and staff of corporations within the museum’s company associate program.

24. Cash Museum

Take a look at previous forex and see a million-dollar show on the Federal Reserve Financial institution of Chicago’s Money Museum. The museum is briefly closed because of the pandemic.

25. Jane Addams Hull-Home Museum

The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum celebrates the historical past and affect of social activist and feminist Jane Addams. The museum recommends guests give a $5 donation.

Get pleasure from Chicago’s Outside Areas

Discover Chicago’s parks, gardens, trails and extra — all for gratis.

26. Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is likely one of the oldest free zoos within the nation. It’s dwelling to about 200 species of animals from world wide. Lincoln Park Zoo additionally hosts free occasions for households all year long.

27. Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens

The Lincoln Park Conservatory and Gardens has 4 indoor show rooms along with out of doors gardens, which embody a wide range of crops from world wide. Admission is free, however donations are recommended. Reservations are required; superior reservations are strongly advisable however walk-up reservations can be found so long as area is accessible.

28. Garfield Park Conservatory

Garfield Park Conservatory options eight indoor show gardens, together with one room devoted to abandon crops and one other to tropical palms. The conservatory additionally has over 10 acres of out of doors gardens.

Reservations are required; superior reservations are strongly advisable however walk-up reservations can be found so long as area is accessible. Stroll-up reservations are prioritized for native residents. Admission is free however donations are recommended.

29. Buckingham Fountain

Buckingham Fountain is an elaborate fountain in Grant Park. It’s recognized to be one of many largest fountains on this planet. The fountain runs from Could by means of October with a 20-minute water show in the beginning of each hour. At night time, the water shows are accompanied by music and lights.

30. Maggie Daley Park

Maggie Daley Park is a good place to go to when you’ve acquired younger youngsters. It’s positioned within the northeast nook of Grant Park and contains a number of playground choices for kids as much as age 12. There’s additionally area to curler blade or journey on scooters. Different park options — just like the climbing wall and mini golf — include a payment. The park hosts free issues for guests all year long.

31. Humboldt Park

Humboldt Park is positioned on Chicago’s West Aspect and contains varied sports activities fields, tennis courts and playgrounds. Humboldt Park can be dwelling to the Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Tradition.

32. Jackson Park

Jackson Park takes up over 550 acres of area within the Chicago neighborhood of Woodlawn within the South Aspect. This park features a Japanese backyard the place you possibly can see the cherry blossoms bloom within the spring. Additionally, be sure that to see Yoko Ono’s public artwork set up “Sky Touchdown.”

33. Lake Michigan Seashores

Chicago’s waterfront alongside Lake Michigan contains about two dozen free public beaches. Widespread spots dotting Lake Shore Drive embody North Avenue Seaside, Oak Road Seaside and Ohio Road Seaside. Fullerton Seaside is essentially the most family-friendly, being close to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

34. Chicago’s Lakefront Path

The Lakefront Trail runs for 18 miles alongside the western fringe of Lake Michigan from Ardmore Road to 71st Road. It’s the proper space to go strolling, working or biking whereas taking in a fantastic view.

35. The 606

The 606 is an elevated, 2.7-mile path that runs by means of a number of Chicago neighborhoods on the northwest aspect of the town. It was previously an deserted rail line that was repurposed for leisure use. Stroll, run or cycle alongside the path and consider the general public artwork installations.

36. Strolling Excursions with the Chicago Greeters

Take a free guided tour by means of completely different Chicago neighborhoods. Chicago Greeters are locals who volunteer their time to point out guests what they love in regards to the metropolis. Should you enroll 10 enterprise days upfront, you possibly can take a free two-to-four hour tour. Nonetheless, even with out advance discover, Chicago Greeters can take you on free excursions of downtown for an hour on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.

37. Maxwell Road Market

Maxwell Street Market is a farmers market presently held each first and third Sunday of the month from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. The market is a long-standing custom, which began in 1912. There’s dwell music and loads of art work to absorb when you’re seeking to preserve your journey to the market freed from price.

Free Festivals and Annual Occasions

Whether or not you’re a resident or a customer, you must put one (or extra) of those free occasions in your calendar.

38. Chicago Blues Competition

This annual music pageant options blues legends and up-and-coming artists alike. The Chicago Blues Festival is usually held in early June at Millennium Park and venues throughout the town.

39. Chicago Gospel Music Competition

The Chicago Gospel Music Festival showcases gospel artists from all around the nation, that includes a wide range of types from conventional choirs to hip-hop-inspired gospel. The pageant is held on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in the course of the summer time.

40. Chicago Jazz Competition

The Chicago Jazz Festival is an annual occasion that takes place in Millennium Park on Labor Day Weekend. Neighborhood live shows lead as much as the pageant, held at places traditionally important to jazz in Chicago.

41. Grant Park Music Competition

The Grant Park Music Festival is a sequence of classical music live shows that happen all through the summer time on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Free seating is accessible to the general public.

42. SummerDance in Grant Park

SummerDance is an annual sequence of music and dancing occasions that takes place in Grant Park in the summertime. In 2021, the pageant will likely be held throughout August and September in parks all through the town.

43. Open Home Chicago

Open House Chicago is an annual pageant that gives self-guided historical past excursions and structure trails. It takes place each October and celebrates traditionally and culturally important websites across the metropolis. It’s organized by the Chicago Structure Middle.

44. Christkindl Vacation Market

Christkindl Holiday Market is a German-style vacation market held from November by means of December at Daley Plaza. See the lights, hear the Christmas carols and get within the vacation spirit.

Nicole Dow is a former senior author at The HE. Matt Matasci contributed to this report.

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