Top 20 Free Activities to Enjoy in Chicago

With attractions ranging from the Art Institute and architectural boat tours to outstanding restaurants and acclaimed theater performances, the Windy City offers endless opportunities to spend your hard-earned money.

However, you don’t have to overspend to have a fantastic time. Armed with insider tips and tricks, you can experience the sights and partake in live events without spending anything. Keep your expenses in check with our guide to the best free things to do in Chicago.

1. Take Advantage of Free Events at Millennium Park

You can easily fill an entire day with the multitude of free activities at Millennium Park, especially during the summer months. Start your day with a morning yoga session, admire stunning public art, enjoy the splash fountain-turned-water park in the afternoon, and finish off with a concert at Pritzker Pavilion in the evening.

The free concerts featuring jazz and world music on Mondays and Thursdays, along with classical music on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, are a highlight in Chicago, attracting locals who come to picnic and enjoy wine while listening to the enchanting melodies.

2. Guided Tours at the Chicago Cultural Center

The stunning, beaux-arts Cultural Center, originally the Chicago Public Library established in 1897, now serves as a hub of free cultural offerings. Visitors can enjoy museum-quality art exhibitions, foreign film screenings, music, dance, theater, and family activities. Free hour-long walking tours of the building are available on Thursdays and Fridays, led by volunteers and staff.

Tip for Visitors: The tour begins at 1:15 PM and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early to secure your spot and avoid any disappointment.

3. Take in the stunning lakefront scenery at Navy Pier

While attractions like the Ferris wheel and boat rides at Navy Pier come with a price, the refreshing breezes and spectacular lakefront vistas are absolutely free. The Pier also hosts a variety of complimentary events year-round, including cultural festivities, art exhibits, outdoor movies, and live performances.

4. Experience Art on theMart at night 

The Art on theMart is a captivating video art display projected onto the world’s largest commercial building, featuring a mesmerizing light show that lasts 30 minutes twice each evening. Best of all, it’s a visual treat that costs nothing to enjoy.

Tip for planning: Showtimes and featured artists vary by season – be sure to check the website for performance schedules before your visit.

5. Explore the rotating exhibitions at the Design Museum of Chicago

The Design Museum hosts fascinating exhibitions that frequently change, showcasing both contemporary and historical design. Plan to spend about 40 minutes enjoying the entire exhibit – it’s completely free, so feel free to linger.

6. Enjoy free live music at Buddy Guy’s Legends

Chicago is renowned for its electric blues, and Buddy Guy’s is the perfect venue to catch a remarkable set without spending a dime. While evening shows require a ticket priced between $15 and $25, you can often enjoy free acoustic blues or jazz during lunch and before the main performance starts at 8pm.

Tip for planning: These free performances are open to all ages, but the main evening shows are restricted to guests aged 21 and over.

7. Visit the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo

For over 150 years, Lincoln Park Zoo has offered free entertainment for families. Experience the roar of lions, the swings of apes, the swims of polar bears, and the playfulness of snow monkeys, all just blocks away from downtown's towering buildings. The zoo also features various free daily activities where kids can feed cows and chickens, among other fun options. Be sure to check the zoo's website for details before your visit.

8. Explore the city with a Chicago Greeter

Experience top-notch walking tours in the Windy City with Chicago Greeter, offering two to four-hour guided excursions that are both enjoyable and free. You can select a theme, like history or architecture, or focus on a neighborhood, such as the artistic Pilsen or the historic Uptown.

Make sure to book at least ten business days ahead. This service is completely free, and all greeters, who are local residents, follow a strict no-tipping policy.

9. Enjoy diverse performances at Whistler

The Whistler is a unique space that combines a gallery, cocktail lounge, and venue for local indie bands, jazz ensembles, electronic music, country tunes, and DJs. There’s no cover charge to enjoy the performances, although most patrons buy a stylish drink to support the shows (but this isn’t mandatory).

10. Explore the Garfield Park Conservatory

This stunning hothouse, built in 1907, is filled with an array of cacti, ferns, and vibrant flowers. Outside, stroll through the grounds to discover a bog of carnivorous plants, a lily pool, a labyrinth, and a replica of Claude Monet’s garden. You can also join free demonstrations on beekeeping or composting.

Planning tip: While admission is free, reservations are necessary for entry, and they fill up quickly. Make sure to book online ahead of your visit to ensure access.

11. Experience Latinx artistry at the National Museum of Mexican Art

Vibrant folk art and impactful political paintings adorn the walls of the free National Museum of Mexican Art, the largest Latinx arts institution in the USA. Afterwards, take a stroll around the neighborhood to find murals of Aztec deities, singing gauchos, and more, creating an outdoor gallery that extends the artistic experience.

12. Enjoy a family outing at Maggie Daley Park

Families adore the whimsical, free playgrounds at Maggie Daley Park, complete with enchanted forest and pirate themes. With multiple picnic tables available, it's a fantastic place to unwind and enjoy an affordable lunch.

13. Explore the 606 trail connecting neighborhoods

The 606 is an elevated former train track transformed into a scenic 2.7-mile trail that links the trendy neighborhoods of Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Logan Square. Enjoy murals, public art, and views of passing L trains—all at no cost.

14. Discover modern architecture at Charnley-Persky House

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at just 19, the Charnley-Persky House offers free 45-minute tours on Wednesdays at noon, but be sure to register in advance. Witness how he moved away from the ornate Victorian style towards a simpler design that influenced modern architecture.

15. Marvel at the light display at Buckingham Fountain

Located in Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest in the world, boasting a 1.5-million-gallon capacity and a spray that reaches 15 stories high. The central feature represents Lake Michigan, while the four sea creatures spouting water symbolize the surrounding states.

Impressive in size, the fountain performs a dazzling display on the hour from 9am until the final show at 10:35pm from early May to mid-October, featuring vibrant lights and music—all at no cost.

16. Enjoy free arcade games at Replay Lincoln Park

Tucked away from the usual spots, this dimly lit Chicago bar is packed with a variety of pinball machines and classic arcade games such as Tetris, Donkey Kong, and Paperboy, along with modern favorites like Mortal Kombat and Tekken 5—all playable with the purchase of a drink.

17. Take in the stunning murals and street art in Pilsen

The Pilsen neighborhood is renowned for its vibrant murals that adorn churches, schools, and cafes, all accessible for free and easily explored on foot.

The 16th Street railroad embankment showcases a particularly impressive array, featuring 50 artworks by both local and international artists along a 1.5-mile stretch from Wood to Halsted Streets.

The entire 18th Street Station itself is an artistic display, with its walls and steps covered in murals. Be sure to visit the home of muralist Hector Duarte, located a few blocks southwest of the station, where his striking piece Gulliver in Wonderland captivates viewers.

18. Experience the local vibe at popular Montrose Beach

Chicago boasts numerous fantastic beaches, but Montrose Beach—a nature-filled sandy stretch in Uptown—is among the favorites. Many visitors rent kayaks, paddleboards, and jet skis here, but you can also enjoy a relaxing day with just a good book, some shorts, and a towel without spending anything.

19. Explore the exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Photography

This complimentary museum showcases American and international photography from the early 20th century to the present. Its permanent collection features works by renowned photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Harry Callahan, Sally Mann, Victor Skrebneski, Catherine Wagner, and over 500 more contemporary talents.

20. Discover the fine arts collection at the Smart Museum of Art

Established with funding from the founders of Esquire magazine, this is the official fine arts museum of the University of Chicago.

The complimentary collection spans 5,000 years of artistic achievement, with notable strengths in 20th-century paintings and sculptures, Central European expressionism, and East Asian art. Featured artists include Hepworth, Warhol, and Kandinsky among others.

Planning tip: The museum is currently undergoing renovations and is set to reopen in late September 2024.