Free things to do · Chicago · United States
9 free things to do in Chicago
Chicago without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sea Cow, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Chicago without paying an entry fee: Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Riverwalk are all free. Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, the Cultural Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Garfield Park Conservatory are all free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 0
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Free sights and experiences
Park · The Loop
1.Millennium Park and Cloud Gate
See the Bean early in the morning before the crowds, then cross Gehry's winding BP Bridge to Maggie Daley Park.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
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Waterfront · Streeterville
2.Navy Pier
Walk to the far east end for skyline views and fewer people; summer fireworks over the lake are held on some evenings, so check the pier's calendar.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- After dark
- Free
Zoo · Lincoln Park
3.Lincoln Park Zoo
Zoo parking is limited and paid; take the 151 bus up from Michigan Avenue instead.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
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Waterfront · The Loop
4.Chicago Riverwalk
Look into the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum in the DuSable Bridge tower to see the gears that raise the bridge; it opens seasonally.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- After dark
- Food
- Outdoors
Park · Wicker Park and Bucktown
5.The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)
Walk it from west to east and come down at Damen Avenue for coffee, lunch and the shops of Wicker Park.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Off the beaten path
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Architecture · The Loop
6.Chicago Cultural Center
Go up to Preston Bradley Hall on the third floor first; lunchtime concerts are often held under the dome.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- History
Garden · East Garfield Park
7.Garfield Park Conservatory
Take the Green Line to Conservatory–Central Park Drive, which stops right next to the entrance.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Pilsen
8.National Museum of Mexican Art
Combine it with lunch on 18th Street and a look at the murals inside the 18th Street Pink Line station.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Park · The Loop
9.Maggie Daley Park
Skate-rental queues are long on winter weekends; a weekday afternoon is much calmer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| The Loop | Millennium Park and Cloud Gate, Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago Cultural Center and Maggie Daley Park | 1–2 hours + 1–2 hours + 45 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Streeterville | Navy Pier | 2–3 hours |
| Lincoln Park | Lincoln Park Zoo | 2–3 hours |
| Wicker Park and Bucktown | The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail) | 1–2 hours |
| East Garfield Park | Garfield Park Conservatory | 1–2 hours |
| Pilsen | National Museum of Mexican Art | 1–2 hours |
More ways to save
- Lincoln Park Zoo, Millennium Park, the Cultural Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Garfield Park Conservatory are all free.
- The Grant Park Music Festival puts on free classical concerts at the Pritzker Pavilion on summer evenings; bring a picnic for the lawn.
- A multi-day CTA pass pays off quickly if you ride the L several times a day, and the Blue Line from O'Hare costs far less than a taxi.
- Hotel rates spike during large conventions at McCormick Place and around Lollapalooza and marathon weekends; check the dates before you book.
- Loop business hotels are often cheaper at weekends than on weekdays.
- Budget for sales tax of over 10% plus an 18–20% tip on top of restaurant menu prices.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Chicago expensive to visit?
Chicago is expensive for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Chicago?
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate: See the Bean early in the morning before the crowds, then cross Gehry's winding BP Bridge to Maggie Daley Park.