Free Chicago
Updated: March 12, 2009
No cash? No problem. There's plenty to do in Chicago for free.
On this page:Free Attractions, Free Art, Free Events, Free Museum Days.
Free Attractions
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Lincoln Park Zoo
Read Reviews2200 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
Kid-friendly and free, this zoo is one of Chicago's favorite family attractions.
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Museum of Broadcast Communications
Read Reviews400 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Remember "Kukla, Fran and Ollie" or the "Don't squeeze the Charmin" guy? Enjoy these pre-MTV memories at this free museum.
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Garfield Park
Write a review100 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624 (map)
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Chicago Fed Visitors Center
Write a review230 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60690 (map)
This center is all about money, but it won't cost you any.
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Navy Pier
Read Reviews600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
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Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
Write a review800 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607 (map)
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Brookfield Zoo
Read Reviews8401 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 (map)
A new polar bear cub is the star at this world-class zoo, free Tuesdays and Thursdays during the months of January, February, March, October, November and December.
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Shedd Aquarium
Read Reviews1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 (map)
Experience the world of Jacques Cousteau free September through February (aquarium only, but not the oceanarium).
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Lincoln Park Conservatory
Write a review2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
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Chicago Cultural Ctr
Read Reviews78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 (map)
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Newberry Library
Write a review60 W Walton St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)
Free Art
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National Museum Of Mexican Art
Write a review1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608 (map)
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Smart Museum Of Art
Write a review5550 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60637 (map)
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Richard J Daley Ctr
Read Reviews55 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 (map)
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Four Seasons Mural
Write a review1 First National Plaza 70 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60603 (map)
Brave the lunch crowds--or go after-hours--to behold this downtown mural depicting community life by French artist Marc Chagall.
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Skokie Sculpture Park
Write a review3300 Dempster Street, Skokie, IL 60076 (map)
Sculptures of all kinds greet you on a pleasant, grassy-park walkway in Skokie.
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Associated Press
Write a review100 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 (map)
Free Events
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Kincade's
Read Reviews950-2 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
This popular jock hangout offers a free buffet from 5pm to 7pm.
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Big Chicks
Read Reviews5024 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)
Not only is there free parking at this Uptown tavern, but every Sunday, the owner fires up the grill for the ever-popular free cookout.
Free Museum Days
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Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Read Reviews2430 North Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
Modern technology coexists with nature in this brain-expanding Lincoln Park museum, free on Tuesdays.
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Dusable Museum
Read Reviews740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637 (map)
This beacon of history and culture is free on Sundays.
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Museum of Science and Industry
Read Reviews57th St and Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 (map)
Free days for 2002 are June 3-4 and all Mondays and Tuesdays from Aug. 19-Dec.17.
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The Art Institute of Chicago
Read Reviews111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 (map)
Get in free on Tuesdays to see one of the world's great art collections.
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Glessner House Museum
Write a review1800 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 (map)
Visit this Romanesque-style fortress free on Wednesdays.
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Chicago History Museum
Read Reviews1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)
Chicago's virtual attic documents the city's rise from frontier outpost to mega-metropolis, and it's all free for the looking and learning on Mondays.
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Spertus Museum
Write a review618 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 (map)
Discover the history and culture of Judaism at this South Loop museum, free on Fridays.
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Chicago Children's Museum
Read Reviews700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
Bring the gang free on Thursday evenings to this top-notch children's museum overlooking Lake Michigan in Navy Pier.
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Museum of Contemporary Art
Read Reviews220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)
This modern art museum is contradictory, erratic, controversial, provocative, contentious and wonderful, and it's free on Tuesdays.












