By Susan Miller
Things to Do in Chicago for Free
While there are always ways to spend a boatload of money in
Chicago with its world-class cultural offerings, restaurants and nightclubs, visitors may not know there are also many things to do and see for free. Sometimes, it is simply a matter of visiting an attraction on the right day when free offers are extended. In other cases, it simply involves knowing where the attractions are that are always free.
Walking Tours
Chicago Greeter, a service of the Office of Chicago Tourism, offers free, one-hour, guided walking tours. Visitors can choose from 25 different neighborhoods to tour. Among the neighborhoods are Old Town with its cobblestone streets, Victorian homes and boutiques; Hyde Park with the home of President Obama, Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House and the University of Chicago campus; North Michigan Ave./Streeterville with the historic Water Tower, designer shops, upscale retailers, museums, theaters and gardens. Only one greeter tour is allowed per each visit to Chicago. Reservations must be made seven to ten days before each visit. If that's not possible, Chicago offers Insta-Greeter available only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Insta Greeter tours are for Hyde Park and Millennium Park.
Chicago Cultural Center Visitor Information Center
77 E. Randolph Street
To schedule a regular greeter tour,
Email: chgogreeter@cityofchicago.org
(312) 744-8000 Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free Performance Art
Chicago has several options for free performance art. The Shakespeare Project of Chicago offers free performances for limited engagements. The Chicago Cultural Center offers free theatre and music performances year-round. The Chicago Park District offers free films in parks all over the city June through September. An organization called Free Street Theater, contrary to its name does not perform on the street, but does perform for free. Advance reservations are required for performances at all venues.
Free Street Theater
1419 W. Blackhawk
(773) 772-7248
The Shakspeare Project of Chicago
P.O. Box 25126
Chicago, IL 60625
(312) 409-0107
Chicago Parks District
(312) 742-PLAY
www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street
Wheelchair accessible at 77 E. Randolph
(312) 744-6630
www.explorechicago.org
Visual Art and Museums
All of Chicago museums have discounted and free days, including the Chicago Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Children's Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Check with the museum of your choice to learn when the discounts are available. The City Gallery, located in the Historic Water Tower, exhibits photographs of Chicago by local photographers and is always free.
City Gallery
806 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 744-2400
Resources
About the Author:
Susan Miller has been a professional journalist since 1990. She edited two weeklies for a chain of suburban newspapers and has written for the "Indianapolis Star," the "Indianapolis Business Journal" and several magazines, among other publications and websites. Miller studied design, photography and technology at Purdue University and Central Piedmont Community College.
Photo Credits:
Photo courtesy Chicago Greeter
