Whether you’re a local or visiting on a budget, here are 10 affordable ways to enjoy the Windy City this season.
A trip to Chicago is incomplete without visiting the Navy Pier. While some attractions, like the Centennial Wheel, have a fee, others can be enjoyed without spending a lot.
Every Wednesday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m. until Labor Day, the Navy Pier has an award-winning free fireworks show.
Before the fireworks show, you can walk along the pier and explore the Crystal Gardens for free.
Every Saturday morning until August 30, Millennium Park has free workout classes, including:
Classes begin at 8 a.m. on the Great Lawn and Wrigley Square with back-to-back 45-minute sessions until noon. Participants should bring their own mats.
Several of Chicago’s museums offer free admission during certain days and times for Illinois residents. Tickets must be reserved ahead of time online.
Free admission on Thursday evenings from June through September.
Chicago teens under the age of 18, all children under the age of 14, active-duty military and Illinois educators are always free.
Free admission on Wednesday evenings from 4-10 p.m.
Admission is always free for Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12).
Free admission days are June 19, 21, and 28, July 4, 24 and 30, and August 13 and 28.
Admission is always free for active-duty military and veterans, Chicago police officers and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois children under 18 and all children under 12.
Free admission from 5-9 p.m. on June 10, 17 and 24.
Admission is always free for Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military, and teachers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Free admission days are every Wednesday until the end of June.
Illinois teachers and active military personnel get free admission year-round.
The Museum of Contemporary Art
Free admission is every Tuesday from 5-9 p.m.
One of the best ways to enjoy summer in Chicago is by visiting one of the city’s 22 beaches. The Chicago Park District manages 26 beaches but four are closed until further notice.
From now until Labor Day, city beaches will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Officials encourage beachgoers to pay attention to the color-coded flag system to make sure it’s safe to swim.
Green means swimmers are good to go; yellow means proceed with caution and red means it’s too dangerous to swim.
For more information on Chicago’s beaches, including locations, click here.
Stroll along the 1.25-mile-long Chicago Riverwalk for a scenic way to experience downtown Chicago. The path is lined with public art, restaurants, cafes and outdoor activities.
Located on the south bank of the Chicago River, the path opens from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and includes four districts: the Confluence, the Arcade, the Civic and the Esplanade.
ART on the MART is a free massive art show displayed on the side of the Merchandise Mart building along the Chicago Riverwalk.
On Thursdays through Saturdays until mid-September, large-scale video artwork is shown from 8:30-9 p.m.
Located on Chicago’s west side, the Garfield Park Conservatory spans 12 acres with over 100,000 plants from around the world.
Admission for Chicago residents is free. Admission for children above the age of seven who do not live in Chicago is $5, and adults who do not live in Chicago is $10.
The Lincoln Park Zoo, just north of downtown, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and offers free admission to all guests 365 days a year. The zoo is home to over 200 species.
The Lincoln Park Conservatory, adjacent to the zoo, is a glass-domed botanical garden filled with palm trees, orchids, ferns and more.
The conservatory is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and like the zoo, it is free to all guests.
Hitting the streets of Chicago on a walking tour is a great way to see the city. Local organizations offer a wide variety of tours that delve into the city’s art, architecture, history, food scene and more.
Whether you’re looking to save or splurge, there’s an option for every budget. There are free self-guided tours and expert-led experiences that typically range from $15 to $65.
The Grant Park Music Festival is a free classical music concert series that runs until Aug. 16. The concerts take place on Wednesday and Friday nights at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.
The festival features the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Grant Park Chorus, as well as other guest performers.
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