Parks and the lakefront
- Millennium Park. Cloud Gate (the Bean), Crown Fountain, and Lurie Garden, all free to walk through in the heart of downtown.
- Maggie Daley Park. Next door to Millennium Park, with a large play garden and skyline views.
- The Lakefront Trail. An 18-mile path along Lake Michigan for walking, running, and biking, with beaches along the way.
- The 606. An elevated trail on a former rail line, about 2.7 miles long, running through Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Logan Square.
- The Chicago Riverwalk. A walkway along the south bank of the Chicago River through downtown.
Free animals, plants, and culture
- Lincoln Park Zoo. One of the few free-admission zoos in the country, open year-round.
- Lincoln Park Conservatory and Garfield Park Conservatory. Two historic glasshouses with free admission. A reservation may be required.
- Chicago Cultural Center. A landmark downtown building with free exhibitions and a famous Tiffany glass dome.
- National Museum of Mexican Art. In Pilsen, with free admission.
- Museum free days. Many Chicago museums offer free admission days for Illinois residents. Dates change through the year.
Free in summer
- Movies in the Parks. The Chicago Park District screens free outdoor films in neighborhood parks.
- Free concerts in Millennium Park. Including the Grant Park Music Festival and a summer music series at the Pritzker Pavilion.
- City festivals. The Chicago Blues Festival and Chicago Jazz Festival are free to attend.
- Buckingham Fountain. The Grant Park fountain runs in the warmer months, with water shows through the day.
Hours, prices, schedules, and free days change. Check the official site for each place before you go.
Plan it in ChiVibe
ChiVibe is a free iPhone and iPad app for Chicago. Discover live events across the city and suburbs, explore parks and culture, build a smart walking tour, check transit and Divvy, and ask ChiVibe for ideas using private on-device intelligence.