Free Things to Do in the Chicago Area
Chicago is one of the most amazing places that you can visit in the US. There is so much to do and see in Chicago that you might be feeling overwhelmed by all of your options. Additionally, as with most big cities, it can be spendy to take advantage of all of the things that you want to see and do while you are in town. Thankfully, there are some free things that you can enjoy doing while you are in Chicago to help you save money and still have the time of your life.
Watch free music in Chicago if you want to enjoy a great time and keep some pennies in the bank. There are lots of free musical experiences that are offered around the city each day, and you should have no trouble finding the kind of music event that you want to enjoy without having to save for months to enjoy it.
Free Things to Do in Chicago
Chicago offers so many cultural things to see and experience. Many people come to Chicago with the idea that everything will be expensive, but that is not always the case. There are lots of free things to do in Chicago if you are traveling on a budget.
1. Enjoy Live Music
Fox Pointe is one of the many locations in and around Chicago that offers free musical experiences that you can enjoy during your visit. You will be able to have a great time while enjoying cover bands, new artists, and even enjoy many different genres of music in one evening at the free events that are hosted at locations like this.
Music is one of the things that makes a night out or even an afternoon of traveling so much more fun. If you are looking for live music events to make memories at, Chicago is an ideal place to visit.
- Visit Navy Pier
The Navy Pier area in Chicago is a really cool part of the city along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Located in the Streeterville neighborhood on the Near North Side, you can head here to take in fireworks and enjoy rides, sightsee, and people watch, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. You will likely need to dress for cold weather if you are visiting outside of the summer months, but the pier is open even in the winter to visitors.
Outdoor activities of various kinds are offered throughout all the seasons, and there is always something cool to experience here during the holidays. Events like Light Up the Lake are highly memorable and well worth your time.
3. Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the many fun things to do in the city that is free. It has been open since 1868 and is supported by donations and other sponsorships to allow it to remain free to the public.
The zoo is well-known for its penguins, which are adorable and are part of meet and greet experiences each week. There are many other animals at the zoo as well, and the Farm-in-the-Zoo experience can be a ton of fun for people of all ages. Another really fun experience is the Polar Bear Care experience each week. Adults and children alike can have a ton of fun at this venue.
4. Millennium Park
Who doesn’t love a big, beautiful park? Millennium Park is a public park in the Loop community area in the city, and it is operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs. This means that there is always something cool going on in the 24.5-acre park, including live music.
This park is located by Lake Michigan and offers incredible views as well as lots of lovely places to walk, sit and relax, and check out the beautiful gardens and plantings. “The Bean” is also located in this area, which is always a feature of the city that people want to see and take pictures of.
5. Chicago Lakefront Trail
The Chicago Lakefront Trail is an 18.5-mile-long area that is shared-use for walking, jogging, or cycling. The trail runs along the western shore of Lake Michigan and offers a lovely way to get some exercise, see a big part of the city and the lakefront, and relax. This is a great place to visit if you want to rent a bike, but you can also just walk along the well-groomed area and enjoy the city passing by.
6. National Museum of Mexican Art
This museum, like many others in the city, has free days when it costs nothing to get inside and see the array of cool exhibits and artifacts that are housed within. Founded in 1982, this museum is dedicated to collecting and protecting Mexican art and cultural items as well as the performing arts.
The museum advocates for the voice of Mexicans and for the protection of the arts that are created in Mexico and by Mexican people all over the world. There are all kinds of cool things on display here, and you could easily spend hours wandering through the exhibits.
Other museums in the city also host free access days, so you should be sure to check the websites of the various major museums in the city during your visit for possible free access days.
Chicago is an Amazing City to Visit
There are so many things to do in Chicago, and many of the best things that are offered in this city are free. You will have access to lots of parks, museums, and things like the zoo for free during your visit. Even though travel to a major city is never totally without expenses, the number of free things to see and do in Chicago makes it a great choice for those who are sightseeing on a budget.
Always be sure that you check out your options when it comes to free entertainment and musical events. Chicago is a great place to discover new artists and musical genres, and there are often free music-based events going on throughout the city.