Not only does Chicago’s Midwest kindness create lasting friendships, but its museums, parks, and even some businesses also extend that same warmth to their patrons. By offering free and exciting activities, destinations around the city bring the community together. While you could spring for pricier adventures, there is an oft overlooked network of fun that doesn’t cost a dime.
Saving money on entertainment means that you can spend more where it matters most. Live in your favorite Chicago neighborhood without compromising your wants and needs. Reach out to AptAmigo to see all your options and receive 5-star service with your own personal apartment expert. The best part? It’s free.
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Free Museum Days
If you seek opportunities to quench your thirst for knowledge, look no further than Chicago. With many different cultures swirling in this Midwest melting pot, why not dig into the the Windy City’s rich history and artistry?
There is no better way to spend a rainy date night, friendly hangout, or solo evening than exploring this mecca of education. Take advantage of these free museum days to learn more about the vast and exciting city you choose to call home.
For a comprehensive list of free museum days and dates, see Choose Chicago‘s regularly updated page.
The Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum gives visitors a feel for the city’s heritage via exhibits that tell of the past through its diverse artifacts and art. It depicts all the struggle and strife as well as the innovation and creativity that shaped Chicago into the great city we know today. With designated free days, such as the 4th of July, it offers an informative and fascinating look into the Windy City.
The Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is filled with excitement and discovery. Check out the Whispering Gallery and other hands-on experiences that will give you the thrill of childhood science experiments. This museum offers free admission every Tuesday.
Art Institute of Chicago
When the mood to reflect strikes you, the Art Institute of Chicago will feed your mind and creative soul. Featuring a café and wine bar (not free, but worth mentioning) and world-famous exhibits, visitors peruse the work of the most famous artists in history, including Van Gogh and Monet, in the country’s second largest art museum. This museum, with free entry on designated days and on many Thursdays from 5-8 pm, is located within walking distance of Millennium Park (home of ‘The Bean’).
Museum of Contemporary Photography
If you find yourself looking for inspiration, visit the more specialized Museum of Contemporary Photography. Although smaller and lesser known than the major museum attractions, it makes up for that size with the quality of its photographs. With free admission year-round and new exhibits every couple of months, you’ll find the art refreshing every time you visit.
The Chicago Museum Trifecta
Located in the heart of downtown, the trifecta of Chicago museums – the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium – huddle within walking distance of each other. Spend the day hopping from one museum to another while soaking up knowledge from their world-class collections.
The Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium transforms bustling city goers into quiet observers of the vast unknown. Learn about the effect light pollution has on Chicago’s night sky and how locals can take part in reducing it. On select days each month, it is free to Illinois residents, so jump on the opportunity to escape to the stars.
The Field Museum
The Field Museum, a must-visit for nature lovers and Jurassic Park fans, features Sue, the world’s largest and most complete T. Rex skeleton. With free days in January and February, the Field Museum is a great place to warm up during a cold winter afternoon.
The Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium displays a colorful array of sea and fresh water creatures as well as interactive shows. Shallow pools give visitors hands-on experience with stingrays, starfish, and other aquatic animals. Free for Illinois residents on specific days in January, February, and June, you won’t want to miss this opportunity.
Pro Tip: With your Chicago Public Library card you can reserve free digital passes to the city’s museums, expanding your opportunities to head to these institutions for cultural enrichment at no cost.
Explore Chicago Parks
Chicago operates a robust park system that dots the city with green spaces, playgrounds, sports facilities, beaches, and picnic spots. These spaces allow locals and tourists to escape bustling downtown city life without much travel. The parks are world-renowned, well-maintained, and filled with sculptures. And, you can visit them anytime for free.
As a side note, the Chicago Park District runs a ton of programs for residents of all ages, from sports and summer camps to arts & crafts and wood working. While not free, the low cost makes them easily accessible to all locals, and everyone loves them.
Grant Park
If you feel like stretching your legs, get some afternoon cardio by exploring Grant Park. Spanning 319 acres along the lakefront, this designated recreational area is comprised of smaller parks, including the famous Millennium Park. While it remains free to wander the grounds and see the sights on most days, Grant Park also hosts many popular events that either charge admission or sell desirable goods, such as Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is the most well-known park in Chicago. Located within Grant Park, visitors can spend a sunny afternoon taking selfies in the reflection of the Cloud Gate (also known by the locals as ‘The Bean.’) Head to the south end of this park to enjoy the fresh scent of blooming buds in the gorgeous Lurie Garden. Afterwards, watch digital faces flash by on the Crown Fountain, an installation by artist Jaume Plensa. Or, if you’re more of a “lay in the grass and look at the sky” type of person, check out the free music series at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, designed by famous architect Frank Gehry.
Lincoln Park
Named after Illinois legend Abraham Lincoln, you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time in Lincoln Park. Extending 6.5 miles along the lakeshore, this beautiful park includes the Lincoln Park Conservatory, Cultural Center, and Zoo. During the holiday season, the ZooLights are a must-see. This park also caters to the active individual with its numerous free amenities, such as the skate park, walking and jogging trails, golf courses, and baseball fields.
Garfield Park
Garfield Park is a 30-minute train ride to the west of downtown and well worth the trip. Catch the Green Line to the Conservatory stop, named for the Garfield Park Conservatory. With approximately 120,000 plants, you could easily spend an entire day floating through the tropical paths.
Free Tours
Walking Tours
For a more hands-on approach to learning about Chicago, check out the various walking tours offered throughout the city, ranging from architectural tours for the history buffs, to ghost tours for the spooky lovers.
Explore Free Chicago Walking Tours for some excellent no-cost options. And, check out all of the available events at Tours by Foot. While they do post some free audio tours, some of their paid tours cost only a few bucks.
Chicago Cultural Center
With free admission every day, the Chicago Cultural Center gives visitors a chance to encounter gorgeous historical architecture, rotating art exhibits, and hands-on experiences, and they offer free tours of the building. They even host free events and movie screenings in the theater, so you can see and learn something new every time you enter the building.
Revolution Brewing Company
After a long day at the museums, we can’t think of anything better than a cold, crisp beer. So, why not sip on a local brew while taking a backstage tour of how it was made? For that experience, look no further than Illinois’ largest independent craft brewery, Revolution Brewing Company. With a beer for every palette, from their hibiscus ale to their Oktoberfest, Revolution provides both quality beverages and a super fun brewery tour. Although no longer free, this tour only costs $15 and comes with 2 beer samples and a glass to take home.
Now that you know a lay of the free activities land, you can use your weekend to explore the city. With so many free things to do in Chicago, there’s no reason to compromise your budget in order to have a good time.
Looking to Make Chicago Your New Home?
Whether you’re moving from another state or just across the city, reach out to AptAmigo to find your dream apartment in Chicago. From 24/7 customer service to our local expertise, our agents will make your apartment hunt as seamless and stress-free as possible. The process is easy: tell us your requirements, preferred location, and budget, and we’ll do all the hard work for you.
* The original version of this article was first published on June 30, 2020.
Luxury Apartments to Consider in Chicago
Rebecca is a freelance writer over a decade of journalism experience. She graduated with a BA in Communications and a minor in journalism. She currently bartends in downtown Chicago and spends her free time exploring the city and making connections.
