One great way to make your vacation budget stretch further is to incorporate some free activities and attractions into your schedule. It can also make higher priced activities seem more affordable when you average out the cost. We did some research to compile a list of free family activities for your big family to do in Chicago. Let us know if we missed one or if your family has been to any of the places on our list.
Free family activities and places to visit in Chicago:
Chicago Chinatown
Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Greeter Program walking tours
Chicago Park District Waterpark
Foster Avenue Beach
Garfield Park Conservatory
Grant Park/ Buckingham Fountain
Jane Addams Hull House
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Lincoln Park Zoo
McCormick Tribune Plaza and Ice Rink at Millennium Park
Millennium Park
Museum of Contemporary Photography
National Museum of Mexican Art
Navy Pier
Oriental Institute Museum
Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
Spertus Museum
Chicago Museums with free days:
Adler Planetarium – Free general admission for Illinois residents, check their website for dates
The Art Institute of Chicago – Free general admission for Illinois residents: First and second Wednesdays of the month. Free admission always for kids under 14
Chicago Children’s Museum – Free general admission: Thursdays, 5p – 8p, children ages 15 and under are free on the first Monday of the month
Chicago History Museum – Free general admission for Illinois residents check website for dates
Clarke House Museum – free admission every Wednesday
Glessner House Museum – free admission every Wednesday
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art – free admission every Friday
Lolyola University Museum – Free general admission for all on Tuesdays. Closed Mondays.
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian – free admission every Tuesday for Illinois residents, free for military personnel and children 12 and under.
Museum of Contemporary Art – Free general admission for Illinois residents on Tuesdays
The Museum of Science & Industry – Free general admission for Illinois residents: on select dates, check their website
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – Free general admission for Illinois residents on Thursdays
Shedd Aqaurium – free general admission for Illinois residents on select dates
DuSable Museum of African-American History – free admission every Sunday
This list should get you started on your vacation planning. For more info ChicagoKids.com has a great site for family fun in Chicago. We also like MetroWalkz.com for their list of free things to do in Chicago and ChicagoFree.info for a calendar of free events.
For Chicago area discounts we recommend CityPass.
