There are enough free things to do in Chicago to keep locals and visitors busy for years, so there is no need to be flush with cash to get endless hours of enjoyment. Here are 10 fantastic and free activities that anybody staying in this glorious city should not miss out on.
The Chicago Park District is one of America’s largest park systems, boasting over 600 parks and stretching out over 8100 acres. Best of all, they are totally free!
The following are some of the more well-known options:
The 606 Urban Hiking Trail was inspired by New York’s famous High Line Trail and stretches between Ashland and Ridgeway along Bloomingdale Trail.
The fact that the city offers no less than 26 free beaches running along the shores of Lake Michigan can make living here feel more like an exotic getaway than a megacity metropolis. Some beaches even offer their visitors free WiFi.
Some of our top picks:
Good news! Chicago has tons of free museums, cultural centers, and galleries so you can always enjoy endless afternoons of learning and adventure.
Check out some of the top-rated recommendations below.
The Chicago Greeter Program is an organization that specializes in arranging free neighborhood tours that are generously put-on by knowledgeable local volunteers.
This is a great way to get insider knowledge about the streets of Chicago. At the same time, it’s also a fun way to make new friends!
The award-winning Chicago Riverwalk Promenade runs all the way from downtown Lake Street to Lake Michigan, and visitors can even stop by the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum for free during a leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll.
The Chicago Lakefront Trail is a walking, running, biking, rollerblading and even Segway path that stretches 18 miles all the way from 5800 N Sheridan Road to 7100 S South Shore Drive. It is flanked by classic lake views on one side and peaceful parkland on the other.
Hop on the trail at any point to enjoy a fun way to get fit and take in the true Chicago culture. What’s more, the trail is open year-round for residents to enjoy the epic lakefront views that define the city, rain or shine.
Looking for something fun to do on a rainy day? Hit up one of Chicago’s free libraries! Bookworms won’t want to miss a chance to explore the endless stacks at any of these gorgeous and free institutions.
The Newberry Library at 60 W Walton Street boasts a fantastic collection of no less than 1.5 million works as well as a variety of scheduled events and exhibitions.
The Harold Washington Library Center located at 400 S State Street isn’t hard to find. The massive institution actually takes up a whole city block and features stunning architectural details end to end. As a bonus, the library also contains a full art collection that is on display inside its numerous reading rooms.
Poetry lovers have an especially awesome treat to look forward to. The Poetry Foundation located at 61 W Superior Street hosts an extensive collection of work, dedicated exclusively to poetry. The 30,000 volume library, public garden and exhibition gallery are all totally free to endlessly peruse, and there’s a busy schedule of weekly events to take in as well.
The Navy Pier, located at 600 E Grand Avenue is a famous attraction synonymous with the city and is one of the best free things to do in Chicago.
On any given day, visitors can enjoy and a full amusement park, an IMAX theater and a three-story children’s museum complete with a waterpark. The iconic Centennial Wheel offers up some fantastic views of the city front and waterway alike. The Pier is the take-off point for many local tours by bus, bike or helicopter.
It even offers free concerts and firework displays on Wednesday and Sunday evenings and is one of the best places in the city to catch cultural events.
Chicago is one of the few cities in America allows residents and visitors to enjoy its 35-acre zoo totally free of charge.
The Lincoln Park Zoo at 2200 N Cannon Drive also features an on-site farm and boardwalk, not to mention a once in a lifetime opportunity to get close to over 250 fascinating species of animals.
Now that you’ve got your budget-friendly itinerary all set, it’s time to finalize your Chicago accommodation. Blueground provides fully-furnished, completely equipped apartments in the most sought-after neighborhoods. Book your move-in ready home for one month, one year or even longer. The flexible lease terms mean that you can experience various apartments all around the city during your stay. All you have to do is show up and start living, everything else is taken care of.
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