The best free things to do in Chicago

Reservations via the Garfield Park Conservatory website are required.

Described as "landscape art under glass" when it opened in 1908, the Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest buildings of its kind in the world. Founded by landscape architect Jens Jensen, the conservatory houses more than 100,000 plants representing hundreds of species in its gigantic greenhouse, which is divided into areas such as the cactus-filled Desert House and the lush Fern Room.

See nearly 200 species of animals—from apes to zebras to giraffes—at one of the last free zoos in the country. The 35-acre attraction connects visitors with animals from all over the world and houses a variety of creatures, big and small, including mammals (beavers, lions, otters and bears), birds (penguins, eagles and parrots) and reptiles (snakes, crocodiles and turtles).

This 24.5-acre park is where you'll find the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Cloud Gate sculpture (a.k.a. “The Bean”) and the Crown Fountain. The park features a robust series of free programming in the summer, including movie screenings, concerts and workouts, but there are plenty of reasons to visit even in the colder months. Admire sculpture installations from local artists, watch skaters twist by on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or take a walk amid the dormant—but still lovely—landscapes of the 2.5-acre Lurie Garden.

Housed in a structure that’s as wide as an entire city block and dates back to 1897, the Chicago Cultural Center provides a place for locals and visitors alike to experience amazing art and beautiful architecture without spending a cent. On any given day, you might find a free classical concert being performed, an art exhibition on display in one of the building’s many galleries or tourists marveling at the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome. Don’t worry about paying for admission—nearly everything that happens in this building is free and open to the public.

Dubbed “Chicago’s front yard,” Grant Park’s 319-acre expanse is home to the Art Institute of Chicago, Buckingham Fountain, various public art installations and Museum Campus. The park can get crowded during summer’s peak festival season—when it hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors for events like Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago—but it’s pleasantly devoid of people during winter. Take a stroll through the North Rose Gardens, visit the seated statue of Abraham Lincoln or walk among Magdalena Abakanowicz's Agora sculptures on the south end of the park.

It's certainly possible to spend a boatload of money at this tourist hot spot, which is packed with restaurants, bars, departing boat tours and a gigantic Ferris wheel. But without spending a dime, visitors can enjoy the sights from Navy Pier, including some epic views of the Chicago skyline and the waters of Lake Michigan. There's also plenty of free programming throughout the year, including live music and cultural festivals.

If you’re itching for a panoramic view of the city’s skyline, you could dig into your wallet to view it via air or sea. But if you’re looking for a cost-free option, you could always stroll or bike along the Lakefront Trail. Spanning 18 miles of the city’s shoreline, the trail runs from Edgewater to the South Side. Spend the whole day exploring by visiting a few beaches, the free-to-enter Lincoln Park Zoo or one of the many beachside cafes open during the summer.

You don't have to look any further than Pilsen to find one of the largest Latino cultural organizations in the United States. Visit the National Museum of Mexican Art and explore an expansive permanent collection, rotating exhibits, performing arts showcases and educational programming that represent the creativity of Mexican culture.

You don’t need a ticket to visit the Obama Presidential Center. You do, however, need a ticket to get into the museum inside the campus’ towering granite building. But there’s a lot you can still do here without having a ticket—and much of it is free. From picnicking on the Great Lawn and taking the kids to the playground to stopping by the Chicago Public Library branch and walking along the wetland, you can easily spend hours here without spending a dime.

One of the crown jewels of the Chicago Park District, Maggie Daley Park offers 20 acres of recreational opportunities, including an expansive playground, towering climbing wall, mini golf course, skating ribbon and more. For wintertime fun, rent a pair of skates (or bring your own) and take a spin around the ribbon, but make sure to purchase a ticket in advance.

Reservations are required. 

Housed under a glass dome, the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s greenhouse rooms were built between 1890 and 1895, and contain thousands of plants. Attractions include an extensive fern collection, a room overflowing with dozens of orchid varieties and a 50-foot-tall rubber tree that’s more than a century old. Located near the Lincoln Park Zoo, a walk through the conservatory is the perfect way to cap off an afternoon spent admiring animals, reptiles and birds. Be sure to make a free timed reservation online before you visit.

With a collection of more than 15,000 fine art objects—including ancient Chinese artworks and thought-provoking contemporary pieces—the Smart Museum of Art is the kind of place where you can easily spend a few hours taking in all of the work on display. Located on the University of Chicago campus, admission to this museum's galleries is always free—and you'll probably encounter a few scholars while combing through the collection.

For more than 40 years, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, located in the city’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood, has been showcasing some of the finest contemporary work in Chicago. The museum has a permanent collection of paintings and sculptures made by Ukrainian artists. In addition to its permanent collection, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art also houses rotating exhibitions. While admission is free, the museum does accept donations.

Stretching from the Chicago River to Western Avenue, the walls of an old railroad embankment host a vibrant and constantly evolving outdoor gallery of murals painted by prominent and emerging artists. Take a stroll along 16th Street to spot murals by revered local artists like JC Rivera and Hebru Brantley, as well as an infamous painting of a severed possum by Belgian street artist ROA.

Most city tours have set routes and a rigid assortment of highlights, but that’s not the case on a Chicago Greeter Tour. Chicago Greeter depends on local volunteers to share interesting facts, as well as insider tips on Chicago’s neighborhoods. The tours—which can be customizable based on the attendees' interests—typically last between two and four hours, and can accommodate up to six people. Tours can be booked via Chicago Greeter’s website, and it’s recommended to book two weeks in advance.

Libraries are hubs of knowledge, and there are few places where that is more evident than the Newberry Library, an independent research library that’s been free to the public since it was established in 1887. Take a look at the library’s collection—which houses approximately 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps and 500,000 postcards—among many more items. You can even put together your family tree with the library’s free-to-access genealogy resources.

Humboldt Park was once the nation’s greatest public park, boasting acres of Prairie-style gardens, grazing livestock and a meandering river scene. Although the animals are long gone, the park is still a gem among Chicago's public green spaces, filled with lagoons, tennis courts, an inland beach, a fieldhouse, baseball fields and bike paths. If you wander through the area long enough, you'll probably come across the Humboldt Park Boathouse, where you can admire the scenery and pay your respects to the former home of Chance the Snapper.

Jackson Park once hosted the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, but these days the nearly 600-acre park offers golf, baseball, a fitness center, a playground, tennis courts and a network of paths for walking, running or biking. We recommend venturing to the Japanese-inspired Garden of the Phoenix to see Yoko Ono's permanent art installation, Sky Landing.

Winding along the riverfront from Lake Street to Lake Shore Drive, the Chicago Riverwalk is packed with restaurants, bars and amazing views of the towering architecture which surrounds the Chicago River. The path is open from 6am to 11pm daily, and it's the best place to enjoy a meal or cocktail by the water in the summertime.

Concerts are getting more expensive, and it’s rare that you can see live music without racking up a serious bill. You'll usually pay a cover to see a show at the Empty Bottle, but there are two exceptions to that rule: on Monday nights, when admission is often free for shows featuring a mix of local bands and touring acts; and on Friday afternoons, when country act The Hoyle Brothers play a weekly free set of honky tonk tunes for the after-work crowd starting at 5:30pm.

Located on the ground floor of the Federal Reserve Bank, the Chicago Fed's Money Museum is all about cash—it just doesn’t cost you any to get in. Attempt controlling inflation or design your own money with their interactive displays. If you're feeling particularly slick, try your hand at detecting counterfeit currency. The ultimate highlight is the museum's photo op: three stacks of one million dollars—stacked in denominations of $1, $20 and $100 bills.

You don’t have to have a reservation at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel to hang out in its game room. The hotel— situated in a 130-year-old building that used to house a sportsman’s club—features a room dedicated to classic gaming on its second floor that’s free to enter for anyone who’s interested in taking on a game of checkers, shuffleboard or billiards, as well as several other games. While not free, the Game Room also features a cocktail bar and a menu that serves up pub grub like cheese sticks made with Wisconsin brick cheese and Nashville hot cauliflower sliders. 

As far as this gallery on the University of Chicago’s campus is concerned, the avantest of the avant-garde is the only art that matters. Founded in 1915, the Renaissance Society's driving purpose is commissioning and producing new works by the world’s most audacious artists. The white walls and high ceiling create a hyper-resonant environment, offering the perfect setting for an inspiring afternoon.

Founded in 1976, the Museum of Contemporary Photography—part of Columbia College Chicago—collaborates with artists and photographers to present exhibitions of film and digital images. Columbia College frequently presents works from its collection or commissions photographers to develop exhibits that display the capabilities of visual art. Visit to tour thought-provoking exhibitions or check out public lectures, discussions and other events held online and in person.

Reservations via the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum website are recommended.

In 1931 Jane Addams became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her social work and co-founding Hull-House on the city’s Near West Side. The famous home served recently arrived European immigrants and now functions as a museum and gallery on the University of Illinois Chicago's campus. The museum is free to all UIC students, staff and faculty; there's a suggested donation of $5 for any other visitors.

The Poetry Foundation is a splendid pilgrimage for bookworms, poetry fanatics or anyone hoping to expand their literary knowledge. The facility has a 30,000-volume poetry library, an exhibition gallery and a performance space for free readings and events. Stop by on a rainy day and discover your next favorite poem—all free of charge.

This secretive—and free to access—spot just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo is a quaint, calm hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. No matter the season, the canopy of trees and chirping birds will provide a peaceful place to take a mental hiatus. If you don't have time to sit under the shaded pavillion and take in the scenery, at least pass through to the zoo via the gate at the northeast end of the garden.

Expert and amateur birders alike will delight in this 15-acre lakefront bird sanctuary nestled in the northern stretches of Lincoln Park, a frequent resting point for more than 300 species of migratory birds. You're sure to get some good birding in no matter what, but the avian hot spot of the sanctuary is a row of shrubs and trees dubbed "The Magic Hedge," where catbirds, common yellowthroats, purple martins, many types of warblers and hosts of other birds stop by or nest for the season. 

If you want to take a 2.7-mile jaunt through Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown, this elevated path is the best way to get around. Built on an abandoned railroad line, the 606 is connected to parks and thoroughfares in some of the busiest neighborhoods on the North Side of Chicago. On a particularly nice day, you'll probably have to dodge throngs of cyclists and strollers, but the trail still provides one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to traverse the city.

SSCAC is temporarily closed for construction.

This Bronzeville incubator for black art is the only Works Progress Administration-funded community art center that's still up and running—more than 80 years since its opening—and the oldest African-American arts center in the country. Visit to check out the Center's dynamic permanent collection (including works from founders Margaret Taylor-Burroughs and Charles White), rotating exhibitions and free events.

Head up to the ninth floor to see art displayed in the library's exhibit space or view the small Harold Washington museum, where memorabilia related to the building's namesake is collected. The library also includes one of the city's first Maker Labs, where the library hosts free workshops, and 3D printers can be used during open lab hours for library cardholders.

Since 1860, Graceland Cemetery has been the final resting place for numerous famous Chicagoans, including urban designer Daniel H. Burnham, film critic Roger Ebert and business magnate Marshall Field. Take a self-guided tour of the intriguing statues and ornate mausoleums (there's a free audio tour on the cemetery’s website) or just walk around to admire the beauty of the space.

Explore the early model for an industrial community right on Chicago's South Side. The Pullman Exhibit Hall illustrates the town's growth and preservation through videos and historic artifacts from the historic Pullman mansion. Entry to the exhibit hall is free (while donations are appreciated), and walking guided tours pick up on the first Sunday of the month between May and October.