51 FREE Things To Do In Chicago

Chicago is top on my list of places in the Midwest.

There are so many things going on in Chicago all the time. I get asked all the time by many of you for cheap or free things to do in the Chicago area.

I put together a list of FREE things to do in Chicago. This list has activities for couples, and free things for kids, families, and anyone. YOU. Also, think about investing in a CityPass.

It’s the best way to save money while checking out the things to do in Chicago.

We are planning another road trip from Michigan to Chicago this summer, and we can’t wait to have some deep-dish pizza and explore the Windy City! 

So dig in. And be sure to pin it to your board for future reference!

**Top popular post on the blog about Chicago: A Weekend in Chicago on a budget!

51 FREE Things To Do In Chicago

1. 1. A nice mix of art, architecture, and music, Millenium Park is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. If you live in Chicago, chances are you’ve visited “The Bean” many times, but it’s always a great time to people-watch!
   2. Millennium Park is nearly 25 acres in downtown Chicago and has something for everyone. Whether you’re into art, having a picnic on the lawn, or checking out a free 45-minute tour of the architecture and art in the Park, Millenium Park has you covered! From 11:30 AM til 1 PM daily, free tours start at the Welcome Center.
   3. The Taste of Chicago has free admission! You can buy seating tickets for the concerts, and obviously, you’ll probably want to purchase some food, but just visiting is free.
   4. Even if you’re a local, you can take a free two-hour tour with a Chicago Greeter to learn the ins and outs of our amazing city. Just make sure you register 10 days in advance to get the 2-4 hour tour. 
   5. Find tons of free festivals in Grant Park.
   6. The Museum of Contemporary Art is free on Tuesdays for state residents. On your visit, you’ll see visual art from local artists dating back to 1945 all the way through the present. Check out the current exhibitions before you go.
   7. The Museum of Contemporary Photography has free admission year-round. You’ll see exhibitions here that you won’t see anywhere else! See the current line-up before making your trip!
   8. The Lincoln Park Zoo is FREE! We took the boys to this zoo a few years ago and had a BLAST!
   9. Hang out at the Navy Pier. We had a lot of fun strolling the boardwalk and checking out all the sights. You will also find free shows going on. And doing the famous Ferris wheel is a must!!
   10. Head to Montrose Beach: A great family beach. You will find food trucks, playgrounds, and clean bathrooms.
   11. Free Movies in the Park!
   12. Visit Garfield Park Conservatory: indoor garden offering programming and activities for families with children of every age. A donation is asked at the door. 
   13. Check out the Art Institute of Chicago: The Art Institute of Chicago is a world-class museum that has ensured it includes its youngest guests in all its exhibits and programming. Children and members get in free. Everyone else must pay an admission fee.
   14. Shedd Aquarium offers discount days and even free ways to get tickets. Be sure to get on their mailing list. We LOVE this aquarium.
   15. Chicago Children’s Museum has free admission every Thursday evening.
   16. Don’t forget about checking out the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum!
   17. Free Family Festivals happening all the time in Millennium Park
   18. Ride the Navy Pier Trolley this summer for FREE!
   19. Chicago Cultural Center has quite a few free exhibits and performances all year.
   20. Into Shakespeare? Be sure to check out the free performances happening in the park.
   21. Go on a Free Walking Tour of Downtown Chicago. This is a 2.5-mile walk-in-the-park tour. And think of all the great things you will learn about Chicago. No reservation is required.
   22. Head to Buckingham Foundation for a free water display that happens every hour (April to October). The best time to go is around 10 p.m.
   23. Take a stroll through Jane Addams Hull House. One of the original settlement houses in the US, this is one for the history books! Suggested donation of $5 per person. 
   24. Love sculptures? Add the Skoki Northside Sculpture Park to your list—over 60 designs to check out.
   25. If you live in Illinois and have kids, you can get a free Kids Museum Passport. This gives a family of our free admission to over 15 museums. Get more information here.
   26. Head to Lincoln Park to check out the conservatory.
   27. Family Fun Day in the Parks is happening. Check their site for more information. {Visit Chicago’s “Museum of Science and Industry” & 4 other attractions at a savings of up to 53% with CityPASS. Shop Now!}
   28. This beautiful place is yours to check out for free: Chicago Botanic Garden! Admission is free. 
   29. Love museums? Add the National Museum of Mexican Art to your list.
   30. Find free movies for the kids to enjoy during the summer.
   31. Check out the free days at the Adler Planetarium.
   32. A MUST-do in Chicago: See the Bean at Millennium Park!
   33. Head to Naperville to check out the free concerts happening six weeks during the summer.
   34. Your kids will love playing on the tanks and other military vehicles at Cantigny Park’s First Division Museum. Admission is free; parking is $5 ($10 during peak season). 
   35. Kids under 12 can get into the Chicago History Museum for free.
   36. The kids will enjoy hanging out at Maggie Daley Park.
   37. And don’t forget to check out Lake Michigan and the beaches. Find public beaches here.
   38. Fireworks happen twice a week at the Navy Pier. Perfect for a free date night in the park!
   39. Take the kids to Green City Market, Chicago’s Biggest Farmers Market to check out all of the fresh veggies and the Sprout Tent for kids.
   40. Take a tour through the Jelly Belly warehouse. And you will get a ride on the Express Train! Tours are free to the public. Tour hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, closed on holidays. 
   41. Enjoy being outdoors? Enjoy nature at Humboldt Park or Lincoln Park. {Find more park ideas: Chicago Park District}
   42. Grant Park (Home of Buckingham Fountain. Visit at night to see the light show! It sprays 150 feet into the air every hour.)
   43. Hit the trails at Palos Hills,  North Shore Channel Trail, Chicago Lakefront,  Lincoln Park Ride, or  Chicago Loop.
   44. The DuSable Museum offers free admission every Sunday.
   45. Free concerts, such as the Downtown Sound, happen every Monday and Thursday.
   46. Have a date night and stroll through City Gallery to look at the art.
   47. Find more museums and free attractions from Choose Chicago.
   48. Skip the Sears Tower and get the same views at the Hancock Building; kids 2 and under are free. 
   49. The kids will enjoy The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. It’s free on Thursdays.
   50. Find more awesome deals and discounts going on in Chicago- HERE.
   51. Grab a Chicago Explorer pass on sale right now. This is a great way to save several attractions at one low price. 

Get tips on how to pay for gas and other ways to afford summer travel! 

There are always a ton of free things to do in Chicago, so keep up to date with this current calendar if you’re searching for specific things to do each week. Save up to 53% on Chicago’s five best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Other Chicago-related tips:

What to do at an American Girl Store

American Girl Store on a Budget

Now, what are you going to do first in the Windy City?

Things to Do in Chicago Illinois

Open In Chicago Right Now

Created 4/2017 | Updated 11/2023