Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

1. Lincoln Park Zoo

9.1
2001 N Clark St (btwn Fullerton Pkwy & LaSalle Dr), Chicago, IL
Zoo · Lincoln Park · 283 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: With free admission every day of the year, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a beloved Chicago institution. There’s a lot to see in the 35-acre park.

Millennium Park is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

2. Millennium Park

9.5
201 E Randolph St (btwn Columbus Dr & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Parc · Grant Park · 619 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: As part of the Millennium Park Summer Film series, visitors can head to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion to catch a flick on the 40-foot screen.

Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

3. Chicago Botanic Garden

9.4
1000 Lake Cook Rd (btwn Green Bay Rd & Skokie Hwy), Glencoe, IL
Jardin botanique · 128 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Free year-round, the Chicago Botanic Garden is home to 26 gardens and four natural areas spread across 385 acres and nine islands.

Two Brothers Tap House is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

4. Two Brothers Tap House

8.7
30W315 Calumet Ave W (at Talbot Ave), Warrenville, IL
Brasseur · 94 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Take a trip to Two Brothers Brewery in Warrenville for a 45-minute free tour at select times on Saturdays and Sundays—no reservation required.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

5. Jay Pritzker Pavilion

9.2
201 E Randolph St (btwn Columbus Dr & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Amphithéâtre · Grant Park · 101 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: On select weekday evenings, rock, pop, and indie performers take the stage as part of the Downtown Sound and Loops and Variations programs.

Harold Washington College Library is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

6. Harold Washington College Library

State (Lake), Chicago, IL
Bibliothèque universitaire · The Loop · 1 conseil

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Go to take in the scenery, read one of the more than two million books, or admire the center’s public art collection.

The Second City is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

7. The Second City

9.2
1616 N Wells St (btwn Concord Ln & North Ave), Chicago, IL
Salle de spectacle · Old Town Triangle · 151 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Known for sending numerous comedic actors along to successful careers at Saturday Night Live and beyond, you can get all the laughs you want without paying for a ticket.

Chicago Cultural Center is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

8. Chicago Cultural Center

9.0
78 E Washington St (btwn N Michigan & N Garland Ct.), Chicago, IL
Musée · The Loop · 153 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: The architectural masterpiece, featuring a Carrara marble lobby and large windows, opened in 1897 and hosts more than 700 free exhibits, screenings, performances, and lectures every year.

City of Chicago is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

9. City of Chicago

Illinois
Ville · 160 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Learn about the Windy City from a local by taking a free, two- to four-hour guided tour with Chicago Greeter.

Lake Michigan is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

10. Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL
Lac · 79 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Over two million spectators line Lake Michigan every year to see this free, two-day spectacular in August. The Chicago Air & Water Show is the largest and oldest free air and water show in the U.S.

Grant Park is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

11. Grant Park

9.5
337 E Randolph Dr (at Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Parc · Grant Park · 131 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: The Chicago Blues Festival lasts for three days and has featured the legendary B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Etta James in past years.

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

12. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

8.4
800 S Halsted St (at UIC), Chicago, IL
Musée d'histoire · University Village - Little Italy · 20 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Explore an original settlement house dating back to 1889 at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, with a rotating crop of exhibits and film screenings throughout the year.

Navy Pier is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

13. Navy Pier

8.6
600 E Grand Ave (at Streeter Dr), Chicago, IL
Embarcadère · Streeterville · 371 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Located right on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier not only provides visitors with stunning lakefront and skyline views, but it also has a number of free activities offered year-round.

Humboldt Park is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

14. Humboldt Park

8.5
1400 N Humboldt Dr (off of Luis Munoz Marin Dr), Chicago, IL
Parc · Humboldt Park · 41 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: The city's free festivals like the Fiestas Puertorriqueñas (Puerto Rican Festival) highlight unique characteristics of the parts of Chicago, with special themes, traditions, music , and food.

Tuley (Murray) Park is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

15. Tuley (Murray) Park

5.6
501 E 90th Pl, Chicago, IL
Parc · South Side · 7 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: Members of Chicago Shakespeare Theater take the stage at 18 different parks throughout the city each summer to perform a new production.

16. North Avenue Beach

9.1
1600 N Lake Shore Dr (btwn Fullerton Pkwy & North Ave), Chicago, IL
Plage · Lincoln Park · 81 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: North Avenue Beach and Oak Street Beach tend to be the most popular in the city, but all beaches are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

17. Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain

9.2
301 S Columbus Dr (btwn Jackson Dr & Balbo Dr), Chicago, IL
Fontaine · Grant Park · 133 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: The Navy Pier fireworks are synched with music, so if you want to get close enough to hear, watch from the pier. You can also catch great views of the sky by heading south to Buckingham Fountain.

columbus drive is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

18. columbus drive

100 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL
Route · 1 conseil

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: In March, one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day Parades winds its way up Columbus Drive. Before it starts, head to the Chicago River to watch the water turn a bright shade of green.

Millennium Park is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

19. Millennium Park

9.5
201 E Randolph St (btwn Columbus Dr & Michigan Ave), Chicago, IL
Parc · Grant Park · 619 conseils et avis

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: From November through March, "the Bean" is your backdrop as you skate around the McCormick Tribune Rink off of Michigan Avenue.

Christkindl - Oak Brook is one of Top 20 Free Things to Do in Chicago.

20. Christkindl - Oak Brook

Oak Brook, IL
Boutique de produits divers · 1 conseil

Fodor's TravelFodor's Travel: This festive German marketplace is the perfect location to soak up some holiday spirit. Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, the Chicago version of the festival dates back to 1996.