Discover all the amazing must-sees in the third most populous city in the United States, Chicago, without spending a dollar.
1. Go to the Museum of Contemporary Photography
Visit this museum located at 600 S. Michigan Avenue in the Columbia College Campus that is open to the public. Enjoy the works of both local and international photographers. It’s open from Monday to Saturday at 10am – 5pm and on Sundays, 12pm – 5pm.
2. Tour the Fermilab and the Argonne National Laboratory
Enjoy a drive to Batavia, 65 km west of Chicago, where America’s premier particle physics laboratory, called Fermilab is located. It offers free tours on Wednesdays at 10:30 am so make sure to make a reservation beforehand. Also check out the Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont.
3. Watch a parade
Chicago has a lot of great parades such as the Thanksgiving Parade every fourth Thursday of November, the Chinatown New Year’s Parade on the first Sunday after the Chinese New Year celebration, and the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on the nearest Saturday to Saint Patrick’s Day. Make sure to check out all!
4. Check out Chicago’s sports statues
Say hi to the legendary athletes from Chicago, even just to their statues, like Michael Jordan, which is located on the southeast corner of the United Center, Harry Caray and Ernie Banks in Wrigley Field, and the Chicago White Sox Champions Plaza at the US Cellular Field.
5. Experience the holiday spirit at the Christkindlemarket
The Christkindlemarket is definitely free! This year, it will take place at Daley Plaza in the Loop starting from November 18 to December 24. Merry Christmas!
6. Appreciate art at the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art
Visit the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art at the Northwestern University campus and check out the 5000 plus artworks. You can also watch free artysy-fartsy movies at the Block Cinema. Check out the schedule here.
7. Say hi to the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo
It’s kinda sad to see caged animals but Lincoln Park Zoo takes care of some aardvarks, armadillos, rattlesnakes and red pandas. It’s open everyday from 10am to 5pm.
8. Get lost in books at The Harold Washington Library Center
Who doesn’t want to get stuck on a library with 1.2 million holdings, Wi-Fi, and a tranquil Winter Garden on the 9th floor? Not to mention some events with some author present on it. All free.
9. Marvel at some sculptures in the Loop
Avoid the crowd and check out the gatekeepers to Congress Plaza at E. Congress Parkway and Michigan Avenue – The Bowman and The Spearman, an artwork by Ivan Mestrovic. Also see The Flamingo in Federal Center Plaza on South Dearborn, The Picasso in Daley Plaza, and God Bless America outside the Tribune Tower.
10. Play frisbee in Highland Park
Bring on your Ultimate skills and go to the nine-hole Frisbee golf course in Larry Fink Park and another one in Danny Cunniff Park. Just take the Metro Union Pacific or North Line to the Ravinia stop and stroll west from the train stop. And also, make sure to bring your own disc.
