Free Museums in Oak Street Beach

"Description: The MCA was the first project in the United States by Josef Paul Kleihues, the German architect behind Berlin’s reconstruction after the fall of Berlin Wall. The Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago opened its doors in 1996 with an exposition of Frida Kahlo, the first in the US!. Don’t miss a remarkable aspect of the museum: the stairwell."

"Children under 18, members of the military and police and fire departments, and veterans are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free every Tuesday. Proof of residency is required."

"Founded in 1982, this vibrant museum – the largest Latinx arts institution in the US – has become one of the city’s best. The vivid permanent collection sums up 1000 years of Mexican art and culture through classical paintings, shining gold altars, skeleton-rich folk art, beadwork and much more."

"At Peggy Notebaert, Children are connected to nature and science through the museum’s hands-on exhibits, family events and education programming. Learn about the specimen and archival collections: birds, eggs and nests; mammals; amphibians and reptiles; insects and spiders; fossils and more. You'll find an indoor treehouse that can be climbed on and in to learn about animal habitats (there’s even a crow’s nest at the top)."

"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a natural museum based in Chicago, Illinois. It is under the Chicago Academy of Sciences and was opened to the general public in 1999. It is located at the intersection of Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park."

"2430 N Cannon DrHours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pm (Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents year-round.)Suggested donation: $9, $7 for students and seniors, $6 for children (3-12), free for children under 3"

"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."

"The Water Tower Place-based family-friendly gallery serves as dedicated space for Dr. Seuss's artwork. Visitors may view the various collections--which include sculptures, illustrated art and "secret" art--and have the option to buy. Some of the works have never been exhibited before."

"5550 S Greenwood AveHours: Galleries are closed for reinstallation until September 11th, 2015. Regular hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun, 11am-3pm) resume September 12th."

"The Smart Museum of Art is scheduled to re-open April 8, 2021. These aren’t the only free things to do in Chicago!. Find more in our ultimate guide."

"Le Macaron found on West Armitage Avenue invites guests to experience the best of French cuisine. The coffee shop’s website describes its macarons as the perfect delicacy, original and elegant, and we think they’re 100% correct. Le Macaron does offer some really fun flavors alongside the more traditional choices, though: including bubblegum, violet cassis, gingerbread, and strawberry key lime."

"Churros are one of those glorious desserts that never disappoints. So, if you’re looking to turn your day into a fiesta, head down to the Xurro Factory. This eatery offers one of the best desserts in Chicago, but be warned, it won’t be easy to eat!"

"If you don’t want to bake, or fry in this case too, then decorate with DIY cookie and doughnut kits ($14) starring colorful icing and sprinkles. You may find inspiration in the bakery’s smiley face cookies and Easter lamb cakes, wearing icing medical masks. Owner Can Lao, who revived the historic bakery in the Bridgeport neighborhood back in February, recently added Chinese egg tarts, plus a few staple items like paper towels, gloves, milk and Yakult, the yogurt-like drink."

"Restaurants Bakeries Bridgeport. This iconic Polish bakery closed in October 2019 after decades of serving pączki, doughnuts, cookies and other candy-colored sweets to its fans. Thankfully, new ownership swept in and restored the spot to its former glory."

"This Uptown restaurant offers one of the largest selections in town and proves the most consistent overall. Though the giant banquet space is typically filled with hungry diners and a barrage of carts brimming with dumplings, Furama is offering its fare to go for now. Stock up on fluffy buns (barbecue pork and pan-fried veggie-pork are delicious), steamed dumplings (shrimp-peanut, chive and pork stand out), and various fried morsels of hangover-absorbing snacks."

"Don’t think you need to hike down to Chinatown for great dim sum. Furama has an outlandishly large menu of steamed, fried, and stewed delights for you to choose from. Filling Uptown’s craving for meat and veggies stuffed in buns since 1985, Furama is overflowing with little carts carrying everything your Chinese-loving hearts desire."

"Sample delectable Chinese treats in this dynamite dim sum diner. You’ll find a delicious array of bites from dumplings to vegetable dishes in a sweet corner locale, with tables perfectly suited for huddling with friends to share your favorites. The best restaurants in Chicago are all about community!"

"Visitors to this hidden gem will enjoy oak savanna, a forest, wetland and prairie all in one area. There are three trails from which to choose and explore: main loop, wetland and woodland and while you can take as long as you'd like, it's possible to do them all within an hour if you're in a hurry (although hopefully you're not because you want to stop at the lily pond, gaze at the free roaming deer and catch a turtle or finches as you take in the fresh air and scenery). Early Spring, locals from all over the city come by for the annual Maple Tree Tapping Festival where kids can enjoy free activities and see demonstrations on the Maple syrup process."

"North ParkYou could do worse than strolling through this 46-acre nature preserve with trails that wind through woodland, wetland, prairie, and savannah. You could also do worse than just chilling at the birding area and spotting rare specimens with your well-practiced/made-up bird calls."

"Just beyond Wrigleyville lies this section of Lakeview; it's been a major "gayborhood" since the 1970s, which also makes it one of the…"

"Wrigley is home to the Chicago Cubs but is also famous for its brick outfield wall, covered in ivy vines. The area around the stadium is called "Wrigleyville," a residential area that serves as a great nightcap after catching a baseball game with its many lively bars and restaurants. This is one of the best views of Chicago's tall downtown buildings, and one of the most traditional Chicago experiences that the city offers."

"Built in 1914 by architect Zachary Taylor Davis who served as a draftsman for the legendary Louis Sullivan, the classic ballpark offers a unique throwback to a bygone age of baseball. The grittiness that used to exist around the stadium has been replaced by a new hotel, restaurants, and a grassy plaza known as Gallagher Way, but there’s plenty of nostalgia left once inside the Friendly Confines. View this post on Instagram"

"You can’t talk about Chicago attractions without talking about Wrigley Field. It’s one of the oldest stadiums in Illinois, and it’s remained largely unchanged from its early days, so it still has things like old-fashioned floodlights and hand-turned scoreboards with peeling paint. It’s also known for its ivy-covered outfield wall that has consumed many fly balls in its time!"