12 Free Things to Do in Chicago
Chicago for Budget Travellers
Enjoying Chicago, with its great medley of architectural wonders, beautiful nature parks and wealth of cultural offerings, can cost you close to nothing. Take a scenic walk through the heart of the city along the famous Chicago Riverwalk, or head down to the lakeside beach of North Avenue for fun family times.
The Millennium Park is where you can start to enjoy the city, at no extra cost. Then, for art lovers there are many museums and galleries that offer free admission. Here are some free things to do in Chicago, showing you that the best things in life are free, even in one of America’s largest metropolises.
What are the best free things to do in Chicago?
1. Millennium Park
An art-filled urban park in The Loop
Categoría: Familias, Foto, Económico
Many visitors to Chicago make Millennium Park their first stop. It’s filled with blooming gardens and tree-lined promenades, where you can enjoy a variety of art exhibitions throughout the year. Check out the Cloud Gate, also known as ‘The Bean.’ This giant stainless-steel sculpture is great for selfies against the reflection of the city’s skyscrapers on its mirror-like surface.
Chicago’s other great public parks include the lakefront Grant Park and Maggie Daley Park, with its famous quarter-mile ice skating ribbon. Más información
Ubicación: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Horarios: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Teléfono: +1 312-742-1168
Millennium Park
2. Lincoln Park Zoo
One of America’s oldest zoos that’s free to visit
Categoría: Familias, Foto, Económico
Founded in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo is usually top of the list for families looking for a free place to spend a day out. The zoo’s great collection includes cold climate animals such as polar bears, snow leopards and penguins. You can also view gorillas at the large Regenstein Center for African Apes, which mimics their natural western lowland habitats.
The highly popular Kovler Seal Pool is where you can learn about animal conservation and watch harbor seals put on a show. Más información
Ubicación: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Horarios: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Teléfono: +1 312-742-2000
Lincoln Park Zoo
3. Chicago Riverwalk
Sightseeing trips you can enjoy freely at your own pace
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
Enjoy a budget-friendly Chicago sightseeing trip on foot, along the Chicago Riverwalk. The river flows through the heart of the city and leads you down a scenic waterfront pathway on the south bank.
The Riverwalk runs for around 2 km starting at the Lake Shore Drive and heading up to Lake Street, with many options for dining and refreshments. This area is also known for its green lawns and other scenic spots, such as bridges that can be ideal for shots against Chicago’s high-rise urban landscape. Más información
Ubicación: Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Horarios: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Teléfono: +1 877-300-6746
Chicago Riverwalk
4. Garfield Park Conservatory
Gorgeous green acres in Chicago
Categoría: Foto, Económico
Escape the hubbub of the city and head down to Central Park Avenue to enjoy one of Chicago’s beautiful green oases. The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of America’s largest botanical conservatories, showcasing beautiful natural landscapes under a glass roof. In its collection, you can admire thousands of different plant species from around the world.
Families with kids can freely enjoy play spaces or relax around water gardens and ponds. You can also find a fishing lagoon, as well as sports facilities onsite. Más información
Ubicación: 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
Horarios: Wednesday from 10 am to 8 pm, Thursday–Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday)
Teléfono: +1 312-746-5100
Garfield Park Conservatory
5. Free Chicago museums and galleries
A wealth of art and history at no cost
Categoría: Historia, Económico
You can enjoy some of Chicago’s great art galleries and museums at no extra cost. Some of the free-admission museums in The Loop include the DePaul Art Museum, near the Fullerton subway station, displaying contemporary artworks like paintings by Andy Warhol.
At the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art on Greenwood Avenue you can enjoy an eclectic showcase of the best contemporary artworks by its students. At the National Museum of Mexican Art,beside Harrison Park, you can admire a rich collection of Mexican arts and cultural objects.
Horarios: Most museums open daily from 10 am to 5 pm
6. Chicago Botanic Garden
Many different gardens to explore in a single visit
Categoría: Familias, Foto, Económico
You can find this favorite spot among Chicago’s rich collection of beautiful green oases in Glencoe, around a half-hour’s drive north from The Loop. The botanic garden spans over 380 acres, which are filled with 25 display gardens and 4 natural habitats.
Among the favorites are its aquatic garden, the bonsai gallery, the Regenstein fruit and vegetable garden and the beautiful and zen-like Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden. The Model Railroad Garden can be a soothing visual feast, which families with kids will love. Más información
Ubicación: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022, USA
Horarios: Sunday–Thursday from 4 pm to 1:11 am, Friday from 4 pm to 2 am, Saturday from 1 pm to 2 am
Teléfono: +1 847-835-5440
Chicago Botanic Garden
7. Navy Pier
Home to the iconic Centennial Wheel
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
Chicago’s Navy Pier is a great spot where families can enjoy a host of recreational activities based on their own budget preferences. Admission to this pier on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan is free.
The pier juts out into the lake and is filled with gardens, shopping arcades and spots for dining and drinking, and the Centennial Wheel. You can splurge a little and ride the Ferris wheel, or simply enjoy the vibes and views at no cost. Its Summer Fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday are for all to enjoy. Más información
Ubicación: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Horarios: Sunday–Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00pm
Teléfono: +1 800-595-7437
Navy Pier
8. North Avenue Beach
Sandy lakeside beach backed by Chicago’s skyline
Categoría: Foto, Económico
Lake Michigan has a collection of beautiful sandy beaches, and Chicago is home to one of the best. Head down to North Lake Shore Drive for the beautiful open space that is North Avenue Beach.
It’s a great spot for families with kids and can be an alternate recreational spot to the livelier Navy Pier, which is just a short drive south from here. You can bask under the summer sun on the warm, soft sand while watching the kids play. The water can be very cold, though, possibly too cold for swimming. Más información
Ubicación: 1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
Horarios: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Teléfono: +1 773-363-2225
North Avenue Beach
9. Crown Fountain
An interactive summer urban oasis
Categoría: Familias, Foto, Económico
The Crown Fountain is an interactive monument at the corner of The Art Institute in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The fountain consists of a 70-m-long shallow reflecting pool with a 15-m glass block tower at each end. The LED screens behind the glass towers project rotating images of Chicago citizens who become virtual gargoyles for a few seconds, spouting water from their mouths.
While the photos are displayed year-round, the fountain’s water feature only operates from mid-spring to mid-fall. Families and visitors use the space as a refreshing inner-city sanctuary on hot and humid Chicago days. Más información
Ubicación: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Horarios: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Teléfono: +1 312-742-1168
Crown Fountain
10. Chicago Cultural Center
Enjoy free art shows
Categoría: Historia, Económico
Enjoy free admission to one of Chicago’s most stunning old landmarks. The Chicago Cultural Center opened back in 1897 as Chicago’s first public library. Not just a home of knowledge, it’s also of architectural interest. It features a neoclassical design, with 2 brilliant stained-glass domes.
Inside, you can enjoy a variety of free cultural exhibitions and art performances throughout the year. You can expect a little bit of art, some educational and interactive exhibits that kids can enjoy and movie screenings, as well as Chicago ragtime and jazz performances. Más información
Ubicación: 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
Horarios: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Teléfono: +1 312-744-6630
Chicago Cultural Center
11. Harold Washington Library Center
A majestic landmark in Downtown Chicago
Categoría: Historia, Económico
Just south of The Loop, and a favorite budget-friendly stop on the way to Chicago’s Chinatown, the Harold Washington Library Center is an eye-catcher with its beautiful postmodern architectural styling.
Step inside and you can discover the vast central library. Spread over 10 floors, sections include the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium and exhibition halls, its popular library section and spaces for teens, the Thomas Hughes Children’s library and a host of general information services. Some simply visit the landmark for its palatial features and serene ambiance. Más información
Ubicación: 400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Horarios: Monday–Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm, Friday–Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm, Sundays from 1 pm to 5 pm
Teléfono: +1 312-747-4300
Harold Washington Library Center
12. The 606
A repurposed railway line turned fun community path
Categoría: Familias, Económico, De aventura
The 606 on Chicago’s west side is where you can put on some comfy shoes and explore with local runners, walkers and cyclists. Once a rail line, The 606 is a 4.3-km elevated, paved trail dotted with parks, lookout points and public art. Highlights include Damen Arts Plaza for urban art, Park No. 567 for live music in summer and Walsh Park for outdoor sports and pet-friendly spaces.
You can access the trail from Chicago’s trendiest neighbourhoods: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. Bikes are rentable at a Divvy station, Chicago’s affordable bike-share system.
Ubicación: Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Horarios: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
The 606
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