Things to Do in Chicago for Free

Looking for free things to do in Chicago? While the Windy City has a reputation for being an expensive place to live and visit, there are many free activities here as well. From history, to art, to music and more - there are free activities that will appeal to everyone in Chicago. Here are some free things to do in Chicago that you won't want to miss...

Smell the Flowers at the Garfield Park Conservatory -

The Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago is one of the largest conservatories in the United States. Occupying approximately 4.5 acres, the Garfield Park Conservatory is a stunning oasis of greenery in the midst of the urban Chicago landscape. A wonderful Chicago destination any time of the year, the Conservatory includes eight indoor display houses as well as several outdoor gardens. Garfield Park Conservatory is located in Garfield Park, a 184-acre site located on the West Side of Chicago. In addition to the beautiful gardens, Garfield Park Conservatory offers numerous free family events, demonstrations, classes, and special exhibits. Admission and parking is free. For more information on free things to see and do at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago, visit www.garfieldconservatory.org .

Explore Chicago's Free Art Museums -

The Hyde Park Art Center is the oldest alternative contemporary art venue in Chicago. Showcasing works of art that include all forms of media, the exhibitions, discussions, and events at the Hyde Park Art Center invite visitors to experience art in a thought-provoking and fun environment. The Hyde Park Art Center houses five huge galleries as well as numerous artist studios, classrooms, an extensive library, and facilities for receptions and conferences. Admission to the Hyde Park Art Center is free. Limited free parking is available in the Art Center's parking lot; street parking is also available. The Hyde Park Art Center is also easily accessible by Chicago public transportation. The Hyde Park Art Center is located at 5020 S. Cornell Avenue in Chicago. For more information on free things to see and do at the Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago, visit www.hydeparkart.org .

Another fantastic and free destination for art lovers in Chicago is The Smart Museum of Art. Located on the Hyde Park campus of the University of Chicago, this art museum currently has
a permanent collection of over 10,000 works of art. The collection includes Renaissance and Baroque paintings and sculpture, late 19th- and 20th- century sculpture and drawings, furniture by Frank Lloyd Wright, a major collection of works by H.C. Westermann (who studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago), significant works by African American artists, small-scale bronze sculptures from the Renaissance to the 20th century, German and Central European Expressionist graphics, 20th-century painting and sculpture, and East Asian art (especially ancient Chinese artifacts, Japanese and Chinese painting, and contemporary Chinese photography). The museum also holds free smARTkids workshops at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library on the second Saturday of each month. Admission to The Smart Museum of Art is free. The museum is closed on Mondays and holidays. The Smart Museum of Art is located at 5550 S. Greenwood Avenue in Chicago. For more information on free things to see and do at the Smart Museum of Art, visit www.smartmuseum.uchicago.edu

A unique art museum, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is located on the famed Navy Pier in Chicago. This free museum is a permanent display of 150 stained glass windows (both religious and secular) and is the first museum in the United States devoted entirely to stained glass windows. Most of the windows on display at the Smith Museum could originally be found in Chicago area residential, commercial and religious buildings and provide unique glimpse into Chicago's cultural, ethnic and artistic history. Windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany, John LaFarge, and Chicago artists Ed Paschke and Roger Brown can be seen at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows. The museum also houses unique contemporary pieces including stained glass portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Chicago basketball legend Michael Jordan, as well as a window created from soda pop bottles. Admission to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is free. The museum is located at 600 E. Grand Avenue in Chicago on the east end of Navy Pier. For more information on the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, visit www.navypier.com, click on "Things to Do", then on "Rides and Attractions".

The Museum of Contemporary Photography is located on the campus of Columbia College Chicago. Admission to "MoCP" is always free. The only museum in the Midwest region devoted exclusively to the medium of photography, MoCP's permanent collection is made up of more than 9000 photographs and photographically-related objects produced since 1936 (the year that Kodachrome was introduced). In addition to its collection of contemporary photography, the museum hosts free film screenings, gallery talks, and panel discussions. The Museum of Contemporary Photography is located at 600 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. For more information on free things to do and see at this Chicago museum, visit www.mocp.org.

Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is a great place to find free things to do in Chicago. Offering a gorgeous view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is a picturesque
destination for a picnic lunch or sunset stroll. Each year, Navy Pier produces hundreds of free shows and concerts, as well as special events for all ages featuring children's performers, puppeteers, jugglers, and magicians, fireworks displays, and cultural events showcasing music, dance, costumes, and food from around the globe. For more information on free things to do at the Navy Pier in Chicago, visit www.navypier.com.

Surround Yourself with Money for Nothing -

Visit the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Money Museum and have your picture taken with a million dollars. Learn how money and banking have evolved throughout the history of our nation, how to detect counterfeit bills, and see rare historical currency used in the United States over the past 400 years. Admission to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Money Museum is free. Guided tours lasting roughly 45 minutes are available Monday through Friday. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Money Museum is located at 230 S. LaSalle Street. For more information about this free museum, visit www.chicagofed.org and click on "Education".

Tour the City of Chicago for Free -

See the city of Chicago through the eyes of enthusiastic, city-knowledgeable residents known as Chicago Greeters. This free service, provided by the Chicago Office of Tourism, matches visitors with volunteer residents and highlights the wonderful things to do and see that make Chicago a fantastic place to live and visit. Discover the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago, enjoy the lakefront and city parks, visit world-class and off-the-beaten-path cultural facilities and museums - all with a free guide! Chicago Greeter visits are available in many languages. It is requested that visitors register for tours 7-10 business days prior to arrival. Greeter visits are designed for groups of six or fewer.

For free things to do in the outdoors of Chicago, don't miss Millennium Park, a center for art, music, architecture and landscape design showcasing the work
of world-renowned artists, architects, designers, and planners. Among Millennium Park's most prominent features are the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, an outdoor concert venue which is home to many free concerts, the Crown Fountain, the Lurie Garden, and the Cloud Gate sculpture on the AT&T Plaza. Free things to do in Millennium Park include winter ice skating (free lessons are available for novice skaters), free dance sessions and lessons, free family gardening workshops, free summer movies, and free tours. For more information on free events and activities at Millenium Park in Chicago, visit www.millenniumpark.org.

Explore the Shores of Lake Michigan -

Spend the day along the shores of Lake Michigan. Chicago is one of just a handful of cities in the United States that has a beach within a walkable distance from its downtown area. Parking is free along Lake Michigan, and there are tons of free things to do in this scenic area of Chicago. Go swimming, running, biking, rollerblading, or just go for a leisurely walk. Play a game of beach volleyball, basketball, baseball, soccer, or tennis with some friends. Play a game of chess at the free chess pavilions. Take your dog to the dog beach. Go fishing, birdwatching, or kayaking. Check out the free Lincoln Park Zoo located just off Lake Shore Drive near Fullerton Parkway. There are tons of free things to do on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. For more information, visit the Chicago Park District website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

There are many more free things to do in Chicago than can be listed here. For more free activities and events in Chicago, visit the official tourism website for Chicago at www.explorechicago.org