Jul 303 min read

Free Things to Do in Chicago

Visit the Windy City without breaking the bank!

Chicago gets a reputation as an expensive city. While it’s no NYC, it’s not a completely unfounded reputation. But it’s also entirely possible to have an amazing time in Chicago without breaking the bank.

Here’s eight awesome free things to do in Chicago!

Lincoln Park Zoo

One of the best attractions in Chicago also happens to be completely free! Entrance to the Lincoln Park Zoo is 100% free every day of the year. It’s an amazing inner-city zoo with a truly impressive amount of animals and attractions. You can definitely spend money here if you want to, on concessions or on rides on the carousel, but admiring the animals is free!

Read my full guide to the Lincoln Park Zoo here!

Lincoln Park Botanical Spaces

Right next to the Lincoln Park Zoo, there are three different natural areas packed with landscaped plant life that are also entirely free to explore! You can explore Nature Boardwalk by the Zoo’s south entrance, or admire the plants in the glass-covered Lincoln Park Conservatory by the north entrance, or slow down and admire the beauty of the adjacent Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool.

Visit a Free Museum

Chicago has an amazing museum scene, but their ticket costs add up quick! The good news is that Chicago is absolutely packed with free museums! Here’s just a few that you might want to check out:

The National Museum of Mexican Art: 1852 W. 19th St.

The National Veterans Art Museum: 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd Floor

National Museum of Puerto Rican Art and Culture: 3015 W. Division St.

Museum of Contemporary Photography: 600 S. Michigan Ave.

Check Out a Gorgeous Library

If you’re a lover of books, or architecture, or both, there are two iconic libraries in Chicago that are calling your name! The Harold Washington Library Center downtown is one of the world’s largest public libraries, and it’s packed with displays from local artists in addition to the books. You can also check out the stunning Winter Garden on the top floor for a pocket of peace in the center of the city. Or if you’re looking for something a little more classic, hit up The Newberry Library for classic Chicago brownstone glory and endless troves of classic books.

Hit the Beach

Chicago’s lakefront stretches for miles, and most of it is navigable by the iconic Lakefront Trail, which is perfect for walking, running, biking. The parks that surround it are also perfect for

picnicking and exploring. If you’re visiting in the summer, you can also visit one of Chicago’s stunning public beaches, like Loyola Beach, Foster Beach, or Montrose beach.

Stroll the Riverwalk

But Chicago’s waterfront doesn’t stop at the lake. A stroll along the Chicago River on the city’s stunning Riverwalk is also a beautiful experience. The waterfront walkways are filled with public art and dotted with cafes, and they pass underneath Chicago’s famous bridges! It’s the perfect place to wander and admire (and photograph) Chicago’s amazing skyline.

Click Here for a full guide to Chicago's Riverwalk!

Public Art in Millennium Park

And while you’re downtown, visit the free public art in Millennium Park! At the center of the Loop, Millennium Park sports amazing green spaces, epic fountains, and a plethora of public art, including the famous Bean! Go exploring and enjoy!

a traveler in front of the Bean in Chicago

Grant Park Music Festival

If you happen to be visiting Chicago during one of its glorious summers, be sure to check out the Grant Park Music Festival! This summerlong festival brings free classical music,

played by exemplary musicians, to Chicago audiences several nights a week. You can purchase tickets if you’d like to sit close to the stage, but entrance to the park and seats on the lawn are completely free! Bring your best lawn chair or picnic blanket and enjoy some world-class music for exactly zero dollars.

To read all the details on this festival, Click Here!