A trip to Chicago can be expensive, for tourists, locals, and those coming from Chicago’s suburbs. However with a little planning and research, visitors can save money while still enjoying some of Chicago’s top attractions.
Free Days at Chicago Museums
All of Chicago’s major museums offer a free day for visitors, usually at least once a week. During off-peak seasons, additional free days are offered. Visit the web sites of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium to find out which days have free admission. Note that charges for parking and special exhibits still apply, and that free days tend to be crowded.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo, housed in Chicago’s Lincoln Park on the north side, is always free and open every day of the year. However, there is a charge for parking and special attractions such as the Endangered Species Carousel and the Children’s Train Ride. The Zoo features all types of animals including birds, seabirds, primates, lions, sea lions, reptiles, flamingos, African animals, farm animals and more.
Millennium Park and Grant Park
Chicago is home to Grant Park, a large park along the Lake Michigan lakefront. Grant Park includes Millennium Park, the Museum Campus, the Art Institute of Chicago, Buckingham Fountain, and the Petrillo Bandshell.
Grant Park is also home to many free summer events in Chicago including the Taste of Chicago, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, and Chicago SummerDance, a free outdoor dance festival featuring free dance lessons followed by live music and dancing.
Millennium Park is the northern part of Grant Park. One of the most popular features of Millennium Park is Cloud Gate, a large bean-shaped mirrored structure also known as “The Bean.” Many visitors to Chicago stop at The Bean for a chance to take a self-portrait with the city skyline reflected in the background. Another popular attraction at Millennium Park is the Crown Fountain, an interactive video sculpture featuring faces that spray water into a reflecting pool that visitors can enter.
Millennium Park is also home of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, site of the free Grant Park Music Festival, a Chicago tradition since 1931 (although the location has changed). Free concerts are traditionally held on weekday evenings in the summer. The Pavilion includes seats as well as a lawn, and free restroom facilities below Millennium Park. In addition to the Grant Park Music Festival, other free events at the Pavilion include other music and performing arts events, and even yoga on the lawn.
Navy Pier on Lake Michigan
Admission to Navy Pier is free, and while there are many paid attractions (and also paid parking), there are many free attractions as well. When the weather is nice, walking along the Pier provides a spectacular view of the Chicago skyline.
One of the most popular attractions of Navy Pier are the free fireworks. During the summer, Navy Pier has a fireworks display, currently on Wednesday and Saturday nights. The fireworks are viewable from the Pier, and also from other locations along Chicago’s lakefront.
Navy Pier is home to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass and Windows, an 800-foot long series of galleries accessible for free. The museum includes the Richard H. Driehaus Gallery of Stained Glass featuring 13 windows from Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Free Special Events in Chicago
For the most up-to-date list of free special events in Chicago, visit ExploreChicago.org, the web site of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and City of Chicago’s Official Tourism Site.
Some of the most popular free festivals in Chicago include the Taste of Chicago (although food tickets are not free), the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Chicago Air & Water Show, Celtic Fest Chicago, and Chicago’s Fourth of July fireworks (formerly held on July 3rd).
Enjoy Chicago’s Skyline for Free in the John Hancock Building
For quieter groups, enjoy a free (with purchase) view of the breathtaking Chicago skyline, by skipping the Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) and the Hancock Observatory and heading to the Signature Room restaurant on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center or the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor.
There is no admission charge, however note that they are a restaurant and bar respectively, and it is expected that visitors will dine in or enjoy a cocktail or other beverage. However, the price of a cocktail is comparable to the price of admission to the Hancock Skydeck, and features the same spectacular view of the city.
Maggie Wolff - Maggie has over seven years of experience in public relations and marketing in the fields of healthcare, performing arts, and professional ...
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