From the Art Institute and architectural boat tours to world-class restaurants and award-winning theater productions, you will never run out of things to spend your hard-earned dollars on in the Windy City.
But that doesn’t mean you need to blow up your budget to have a good time. With some insider knowledge and a few tips and tricks, you can see the sights and enjoy live events without spending a dime. Keep your budget low with our roundup of the best things to do in Chicago for free.
1. Make the most of Millennium Park’s free events
You could spend the entire day enjoying Millennium Park’s mother lode of freebies, especially in summer. Lean into the day during a morning yoga class, admire soaring public art and splash in the fountain-turned-water-park in the afternoon, then catch a concert at Pritzker Pavilion in the evening.
The free shows (jazz and world music on Mondays and Thursdays; classical music on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) are a Chicago highlight, where locals gather to picnic and sip wine as melodies fill the air.
2. Tours around the Chicago Cultural Center
The exquisite, beaux-arts, block-long Cultural Center began its life as the Chicago Public Library in 1897. Now it offers a treasure trove of gratis goodness, including museum-quality art exhibitions, foreign film screenings, music, dance, theater and family events. On Thursdays and Fridays, volunteers and staff lead free hour-long walking tours of the building.
Planning tip: The tour starts at 1:15pm and it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. Drop by early to avoid disappointment.
3. Enjoy lakefront views from Navy Pier
Yes, it’ll cost you to spin on the Ferris wheel or set sail on a boat – the most popular things to do at Navy Pier – but the cool breezes and terrific lakefront views are always free. The Pier also prides itself on its year-round program of complementary events, such as cultural celebrations, art exhibitions, al fresco films, and live music.
4. Watch Art on theMart in the evening
The Art on theMart video art extravaganza – a trippy light show projected on the world’s largest commercial building for 30 minutes twice each evening – is one of the quirkiest things to do at night in Chicago. Best of all, it’ll delight your eyeballs free of charge.
Planning tip: The timings and artists change with the seasons – check the website for showtimes during your visit.
5. Visit the Design Museum of Chicago’s rotating exhibitions
The Design Museum puts on cool exhibitions that change regularly and cover everything related to contemporary and historical design. Allow around 40 minutes to view the entire exhibition – it doesn’t cost a dime, so take your time.
6. Catch live music for free at Buddy Guy’s Legends
Chicago’s musical claim to fame is the electric blues — and Buddy Guy’s is the place to hear a fret-bending set for nothing. While evening shows cost $15 to $25, musicians often play free acoustic blues or jazz at the restaurant/club during lunch and before the main performance starts at 8pm.
Planning tip: All ages are welcome for these free shows, but it’s strictly over-21 only for the main performances in the evening.
7. See the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo has entertained families for free for more than 150 years. Lions roar, apes swing, polar bears swim, and snow monkeys chill just blocks from downtown’s skyscrapers and all for free. There are even some free daily activities available where kids can feed cows and chickens, amongst other fun. Check the zoo’s website for details before you go.
8. Walk the city with a Chicago Greeter
Top-class walking tours in the Windy City don’t come as free and breezy as the two- to four-hour guided trips by Chicago Greeter. Choose a theme, maybe history or architecture, or pick a neighborhood, perhaps arty Pilsen or historic Uptown.
Book at least ten business days in advance. Not only is this service free, the greeters – all locals – adhere to a strict no-tipping policy.
9. Settle in at Whistler for eclectic performances
The Whistler is part-gallery, part-cocktail lounge and part-venue for local indie bands, jazz combos, electronica, country music, and DJs. There’s never a cover charge. Instead, most everyone purchases a snazzy drink to fund the nightly performances (although it’s not compulsory).
10. Wander around Garfield Park Conservatory
The 1907 hothouse bursts with cacti, ferns and flowers. Outdoors, roam the grounds past a carnivorous plant bog, lily pool, labyrinth and Claude Monet’s recreated garden, then attend a demonstration on beekeeping or composting – all free.
Planning tip: Though it’s totally free, reservations are required for entry, and they get snapped up quickly. Book online before you arrive to avoid disappointment.
11. Celebrate Latinx artworks at the National Museum of Mexican Art
Colorful folk art and politically charged paintings grace the walls at the free National Museum of Mexican Art, the USA’s largest Latinx arts institution. Afterward, amble around the neighborhood to see images of Aztec gods, singing gauchos and other works by Mexican muralists splashed across the buildings – a sort of outdoor gallery that continues the theme.
12. Have a family day out at Maggie Daley Park
Families love Maggie Daley Park’s fanciful, free playgrounds in all their enchanted-forest and pirate-themed glory. Multiple picnic tables make the park an excellent spot to relax and enjoy a budget-friendly lunch as well.
13. Follow the 606 between neighborhoods
An elevated train track converted into a smart, 2.7-mile trail, the 606 unfolds overhead and connects the hipster hoods of Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Logan Square. Look for murals, public art installations and cool views of L trains zipping by – it all costs nothing.
14. Learn about modern architecture at Charnley-Persky House
Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Charnley-Persky House when he was just 19 years old. Register in advance for the free 45-minute tours that run on Wednesdays at midday. See how he left behind the baroque decorations of Victorian design and kicked off a simple style that laid the foundation for modern architecture.
15. Be dazzled by the light show at Buckingham Fountain
The centerpiece of Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is one the world’s largest with a 1.5-million-gallon capacity and a 15-story-high spray. The central fountain symbolizes Lake Michigan, with the four water-spouting sea creatures representing the surrounding states.
So far, so super-sized. The fountain then lets loose on the hour from 9am to the last showing at 10:35pm from early May to mid-October, accompanied at night by multi-colored lights and music, and all for free.
16. Play free arcade games at Replay Lincoln Park
A little off-the-beaten-path, this dark Chicago bar is loaded with scores of pinball machines, classic arcade games like Tetris, Donkey Kong and Paperboy, plus plenty of up-to-date beat-’em-ups like Mortal Kombat and Tekken 5 — all available to play for the cost of a drink.
17. Admire the murals and street art in Pilsen
The neighborhood of Pilsen is famous for its murals that splash across churches, schools and cafes, all of which can be seen for free and on foot.
The 16th Street railroad embankment unfurls a particularly rich vein, with 50 works by local and international artists adorning a 1.5-mile stretch between Wood and Halsted Streets.
The whole of 18th Street Station is a work of art, too — its walls and steps are adorned with murals. Don’t miss the house of muralist Hector Duarte, a few blocks southwest of the station. He’s covered it with his most striking work Gulliver in Wonderland.
18. Join the locals at popular Montrose Beach
Chicago has plenty of great beaches, but Montrose Beach – the dune-packed, nature-filled stretch of sand in Uptown – is amongst its most popular. Many rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and jet skis here, but with a good book, some shorts and a towel, it’s just as lovely whiling away a day without spending a dime.
19. Peruse the exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Photography
This free museum focuses on American and international photography from the early 20th century onward. The permanent collection includes the works of Henri Cartier-Bresson, Harry Callahan, Sally Mann, Victor Skrebneski, Catherine Wagner, and 500 more of the best photographers working today.
20. Browse the fine arts collection at the Smart Museum of Art
Named after the founders of Esquire magazine, who contributed the start-up money, this is the official fine arts museum of the University of Chicago.
The free collection holds 5000 years’ worth of work. Twentieth-century paintings and sculptures, Central European expressionism and East Asian art are the strong suits. Hepworth, Warhol, and Kandinsky are just a few of the big-name artists on offer.
Planning tip: The museum is currently closed for renovations but will reopen in late September 2024.
This article was first published Jul 16, 2019 and updated Aug 10, 2024.
