Free Summer Activities In Chicago
In the City of Chicago, there are still many free activities for people to enjoy. Below are the top free activities still available in Chicago.
Lincoln Park Zoo
This zoo is free admission and has many holiday attractions coming soon, including Visit Santa and live ice carving.
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a Chicago tradition that offers rides and attractions, entertainment, boat rides/cruises, etc. Admission is free to Navy Pier, although there is a fee for many of the attractions.
However, just walking through one of Chicago’s premier attractions is an experience on its own, and this is something that everyone should do at least once. The Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier has free admission on select days.
Festivals
Many of Chicago’s festivals have free admission, including Berghoff Oktoberfest, the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, and the Chicago Blues Festival.
Chicago Air & Water Show
Every year in mid-August, Chicago presents the Air & Water Show at North Avenue Beach. Admission is free for this event, and the show provides entertainment for the entire family from 10 am-4 pm.
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Starting on November 18th, 2009, this ice rink opened in Millennium Park.
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
The planetarium has free admission on select days throughout the summer. Visit adlerplanetarium.org for information about free admission days.
Art Institute of Chicago
This prominent Chicago art museum has free admission on Thursdays after 5 pm.
Chicago History Museum
This prominent Chicago museum offers free admission on Mondays. Currently, the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial celebration of Lincoln’s birth year is the featured attraction, with a variety of exhibits on display for the entire year.
For Bikers
Critical Mass, a worldwide group that advocates biking as the main form of transportation within cities, sponsors a regular bike ride on the last Friday of each month. Riders usually meet at the Picasso in Daley Plaza, and rides can last as long as three hours. In-line skaters and people on non-motorized scooters are welcome to come along on the ride.
A Ghost Hunt
Chicago is famous for the hauntings of various locations throughout the city, and hunting for ghosts is a free and interesting way to tour Chicago on foot or by bike. Many cemeteries and buildings in Chicago have stories relating paranormal activity. One such place is the Bohemian National Cemetery, which is one of Chicago’s oldest cemeteries.
Reported paranormal activity includes day sightings of phantom cars and mourners. Because of its age, the cemetery also has one of the most impressive collections of funerary art in the city, which offers some interesting photo opportunities.
The Scavenger Hunt
Explore Chicago has created neighborhood scavenger hunts to help you explore the city on foot. You walk around neighborhoods seeking out items and clues. It is a great way to explore various Chicago neighborhoods and make it a fun experience for children. You will discover unique Chicago architectural landmarks, public art, museums, neighborhood parks, restaurants, and shops.
I hope this list helps you as you close out the summer with last-minute fun activities.
Blessings and Abundance!
