Free Museums in Chicago Heights

"Located in the heart of The University of Chicago campus, the SMART Museum of Art truly makes art accessible for their youngest guests. On the first Saturday of the month, the museum hosts a free Family Day where kids can participate in hands-on art projects highlighting current art exhibits. After creating their masterpieces, kids and their families can join a docent-led tour or listen to a story being read in the art gallery."

"If you want to see masterpieces but don't want to spend a long day wandering around one of the major art museums, the Smart may be just…"

"The DuSable is the nation's oldest museum dedicated to the exploration, documentation, and celebration of the African-American experience. It's in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Its holdings include 15,000 paintings, sculptures, and historic memorabilia that illuminate the African-American experience."

"Though Chicago might be a major population center and port of call, it’s still hip deep in midwest agrarian culture. Homestead has a rooftop garden that reflects both the pastoral and the civilized, with drinks and food that clearly have taproots in natural flavoring and healthy living."

"With more than three million visitors per year, the Taste of Chicago is the largest food festival in the world. It’s an absolute smorgasbord of everything from sloppy street food to elegant, restaurant-quality dishes. If you like getting your grub on, it should be at the top of your bucket list!"

"Harold’s, in its many, many incarnations, is the fried Chicago natives crave the most when forced to move. There’s a certain serenity to things when walking inside, placing an order, and waiting for cooks to fry up an order. Of course, don’t forget to order mild sauce, a condiment that Chicagoans go bezerk for."

"AshburnAs much as we enjoy the occasional deep dish excursion, us urbanites know that real Chicago pizza means square cut, cracker thin tavern-style. And there’s no better place to rev your authentic pizza engine than Vito & Nick’s, a South Side institution that’s been perfecting the crunchy, fully-loaded style since 1923. The crust hits the spot, for sure, but it’s the toppings, a broad expanse of meats, veggies, and palate-scorching giardiniera stretching all the way to the flawlessly blackened edge, that slyly steal the show.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating and take-out."

"Thin-crust pizza may be blasphemy in Chicago, but the Original Vito & Nick's thin-crust pizza has been winning over locals since 1932 with toppings like Chicago-style Italian beef or runny egg. Watch the Video: Vito and Nick's Pizzeria"

"Davanti Enoteca is a small plate Italian restaurant with locations in Chicago and in San Diego. The Focaccia Di Recco (flatbread filled with ricotta and topped with honeycomb) might be the greatest thing on the menu. They also serve Glazed & Infused doughnuts, which are another Chi-Town fave."

"Davanti Enoteca is an Italian restaurant that is located in the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. This restaurant offers a streamlined menu with dishes that pack a punch— from the Truffle Egg Toast to the Della Terra pizza, diners can expect interesting flavor combinations here."