Free Museums in Matteson

"Part of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art has an impressive collection. This includes works organised by continent – such as Asia and Europe – and works organised by theme – e.g.  contemporary art and modern art. The museum also houses a significant collection of works by the 20th century American sculptor and printmaker H.C."

"The Smart Museum is small, free, an easy and engaging place to museums in Chicago. It’s easily accessible by public transit and there is a parking garage nearby. Exhibitions, which rotate, are really tremendous, tending towards the avant-garde but including the historical and always celebrating the vast diversity of the art world."

"Founded in 1974, the Smart Museum of Art is part of the University of Chicago and is home to acclaimed special exhibitions and a permanent collection that spans five thousand years of artistic creation."

"Visitors learn about the Chicago Race Riots, the role of the African American soldier and the history of Harold Washington. TIME Studios selected DuSable to open its virtual reality program “The March” about Martin Luther King’s speech in Washington, D.C."

"The grilled shrimp for Nana's po' boy are season with Chile de árbol, garlic and parsley, while the oysters are soaked in buttermilk for two days, dredged in a Cajun rub and deep-fried. The sandwich is finished with a house-made gribiche flavored with whole grain mustard, roasted garlic, tarragon, caperberries and fresh lemon juice. Watch the Video: Elaborate Shrimp-Oyster Po'Boy"

"The team behind Nana strives for perfection by maintaining a sustainable, local and organic menu. What they serve is high-quality and delicious food. While not a completely vegetarian restaurant, the avocado fries and tofu scramble have us commending the commitment to perfection."

"After you find a seat in this Irish pub’s beer garden in Beverly, it’s decision time: Which of the 20 draft beers will you try first?. (To make your choice even harder, there are 40 varieties of bottled and canned suds to choose from, too.) If you visit on a Friday night, you can snag snacks from local food trucks; recent visitors have included Cheesie’s and Aztec Dave’s. 10614 S Western Ave.; 773-445-2675 or corkandkerry.com"

"Cork and Kerry is an award-winning Irish pub in the heart of Chicago. The tavern serves a classic pub-style menu that features favorite dishes such as burgers and fries, grilled cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, and a variety of salads and sides. A full-service bar offers an excellent selection of beers and brews on tap and by the bottle."

"Its sprawling patio is a great place to spend a summertime afternoon—and if your stay extends into the evening, no one will judge you."

"Known simply as the Midway, this mile-long natural stretch on the South Side connects the east end's Washington Park to Jackson Park on the west. Once the site of amusements during the 1893 Columbian World's Exposition (AKA World's Fair), the Midway is flanked by Hyde Park's noted gothic architecture, particularly the University of Chicago campus, and tree-lined boulevards, as well as outfitted with an ice skating rink and other facilities to keep folks visiting year-round."

"Located in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, Marquette Park is the largest park on the southwest side totaling 323 acres. In addition to two gymnasiums, an auditorium, woodshop, Martin Luther King, Jr. kiosk and multi-purpose rooms, it's also home to one of the most affordable 9-hole golf courses in the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy a community garden, rose garden, prairie and 500 newly planted trees."

"Chicago Lawn is home to this huge 323-acre park, featuring two gymnasiums, an auditorium, four sports fields, a nine-hole golf course, fishing area, running paths, and a community garden. Don’t miss seeing the rose garden, prairie, and lagoon. A Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sculpture and an Art Deco Darius and Girenas Memorial are worth viewing as well."

"Fortunately, you don’t have to take a 10-hour flight to get a French croissant. Bonjour Café Bakery is the perfect place to grab a chocolate croissant on the go or sit, relax, and enjoy a warm quiche. This cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, making this the perfect place to enjoy warm weather with fresh pastries."

"For when you want a pastry to go with your coffee, the Bonjour Cafe should be your top pick. Unsurprisingly from the shop’s name, this French-style bakery has a changing seasonal selection of fresh baked goods. They range from rose-flavored macarons, eclairs, and croissants."

"I mentioned Butterdough in my post about places to eat in Chicago, but I’m listing it again because their coffee is excellent. One of their most popular options is the Cafe con Leche with their homemade cafe de olla syrup. I recommend getting it with regular milk, not their oat milk because the oat didn’t work with this drink at all."

"Kicking it old school, you slice and bake the chocolate chip dough roll ($6) to yield a dozen cookies. Brothers Lalo and Uva Leon opened their bakery last summer in the McKinley Park neighborhood, where they’re still making wildly popular croissants. Check their Instagram stories for the daily changing availability or just call."

"There are only a few flavors of donuts to choose from at Butterdough in McKinley Park. But that’s fine, the horchata is what you want. The lightly-spiced glaze is poured on the donut right in front of you and pools in the container in a satisfying (and useful for extra dipping) way."