Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Chicago

"Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is not just a fantastic place to see aquatic animals, it also has a magnificent conservation program. Shedd offers daily free and discounted admission to those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) by simply presenting their EBT card."

"Many of these great kid friendly attractions are available on the Go Chicago® Card. Choose as you go from dozens of top Chicago attractions and save up to 55% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Or, build your own pass and save up to 25% off."

"The mystical underwater world comes alive for those not actually at the aquarium via Instagram. We see all your jellyfish, dolphin show, and shark tank photos."

"Navy Pier combines everything you could ever hope for in an area of a city you're visiting, and it has placed it right on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are shops, places to eat, boat tours, mini golf and a Ferris wheel. You might also find the Children's Museum of interest if you're there with family."

"Head over to Navy Pier to go up on the Centennial Ferris Wheel!. A fun way to get an amazing view of Chicago and the lakefront. You can get tickets through the Go Chicago Explorer Pass or check with the Loew’s hotel – they sometimes have specials going where you can get tickets with your stay."

"Now, I see it as a convenient spot for my 2 year old to get his wiggles out. With activities for every season, Navy Pier is worth a visit. The Children’s Museum is a great choice for rainy days."

"LondonHouse Chicago easily owns some of the most impressive views of the Chicago River and the city's lovely architecture from guest rooms and especially from its breathtaking rooftop terrace - LH Rooftop, the city's only tri-level restaurant and rooftop venue (reservations recommended). The former London Guarantee Building's lovely spaces include the Juliette Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Chicago River, the Golden Rotunda, and the intimate beaux-arts Cupola at the apex of the hotel.(Couples should look into a luxe, customizable dinner in LH Cupola). Vista Suites have a separate living area and floor-to-ceiling windows so you can awaken to the beauty of Chicago's skyline."

"Sitting on Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River in a historic landmark building, LondonHouse features Chicago’s only tri-level rooftop bar. The hotel is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Millennium ..."

"Tucked away at the edge of Lincoln Park that juts out into Lake Michigan, the Montrose Bird Sanctuary is a 15-acre wooded respite that features a few peaceful mulch-covered hiking trails to stroll through. What was once a site of Army barracks from the ’50s to the ’70s is now one of the best places in the area to spot a few of the tens of thousands of migratory birds from more than 300 different species that reportedly stop for some green space along their trek along the lake. Within the sanctuary, a 150-yard stretch of honeysuckle bushes has been nicknamed “The Magic Hedge,” because it attracts an especially high number of migratory birds."

"UptownThis more laid-back section of Montrose Beach is both a dune habitat and a bird sanctuary, as well as one of the best spots for trail hiking in the city with killer skyline views. If that’s not enough, there’s also a beach bar. And a damn fine beach bar at that."

"Pablo Picasso produced this monumental piece of public art for Chicago in the mid-1960s. Standing in Daley Plaza, the Chicago Picasso weighs almost 147 metric tons and stands over 15 metres tall. Since it was unveiled in 1967, the work, rumoured to depict French model Lydia Corbett who sat for a series of drawings for Picasso in the 1950s, is a landmark for the city and something for kids to clamber on."

"This massive cubist sculpture by Pablo Picasso was the first major piece of public artwork of its kind in downtown Chicago, and today, this Daley Plaza piece is a major landmark. Choose your selfie position — “The Picasso” looks quite different depending on where you stand."

"Thalia Hall is a historic music venue, a massive building along 18th Street in Pilsen, that’s owned by 16” on Center, a company that runs venues like Promontory Hall in Hyde Park and Empty Bottle in Ukrainian Village. The building also houses Punch House, a lower-level ‘70s chic bar where patrons by drinks by the punch bowl. Then there’s Tack Room, a piano bar that dabbles in things like punk rock karaoke."

"The iconic Pilsen hall has punch-filled cocktails in the basement, a beer hall on the main floor, and a music venue upstairs for all your Instagramming glory."

"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."

"The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art is a modern art museum in Chicago's Ukrainian village. The UIMA, founded in 1971, hosts exhibits, book readings, film screenings, recitals, and theater. The UIMA has been a fixture in its neighborhood for more than 40 years and is one of 25 members of the Chicago Cultural Alliance."

"Located in the South Loop in a building that was once home to a printing press and then a bank before it became one of the city’s favorite diners, Eleven City Diner is a traditional Jewish deli that serves a variety of deli-style fare in a casual diner setting. Boasting neon lights and the crackle of WWII-era tunes, the diner takes patrons back in time to the 1940s and 1950s with leather-button booths where bowls of matzoh ball soup and latkes can be enjoyed. The deli serves a variety of deli-style fare such as gargantuan gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, mac and cheese, melts, and Reubens along with drinks from an authentic soda fountain, house-brewed root beer, and floats."

"Restaurants Diners Loop. Owner Brad Rubin scoured the country to research this Jewish deli/diner. His pastrami is tender, fatty and full of flavor; the milkshakes are thick and oversized; matzo balls are enormous; and the brisket is good enough that any grandmother would want to claim it, Jewish or not."

"or 3 a.m., there’s always an eclectic mix of students, workers, and nightlifers at this iconic greasy spoon. It’s comfort food at its best, which means a varied selection that includes Tex-Mex dishes, pastas, burgers, fried chicken, meatloaf, beef sandwiches, and everything but the kitchen sink. Fast, filling, and cheap, White Palace Grill is everything a diner strives to be."

"Restaurants American West Loop. Even on non-game days, the Palace Grill feels like an offshoot of the United Center. The space is bedecked with Blackhawks paraphernalia and the patrons wear it as well (the place is open late on Blackhawks game nights)."

"First, the menu stands out compared to most cookie-cutter diners. Second, it's open 24 hours a day. The main menu is pretty uninteresting, but they get the title of "best" thanks to the Southern Chicken Biscuit Platter and the specials menu which consists of eight varieties of chicken and waffles."

"LoopA Chicago steakhouse with enticing vegetarian optionsYou’re probably thinking a steakhouse is no place for a plant-based diner, but Prime & Provisions offers a variety of hearty starters like the butternut squash soup or shaved Brussels sprouts salad with butternut squash, wild rice, fresno chilis, ricotta salata, and tahini vinaigrette. Opt for the blackened cauliflower steak with roasted garlic for your main course. It’s given the same TLC as the other steaks on the menu."

"Good barbecue in the downtown area is scarce but Blackwood’s multiple locations help make up for it. The meats are slowly smoked for hours and include brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken, and spicy pork sausages. Slather them in regional-style sauces and order some homemade sides for a real Southern feast."

"I like the pulled pork at Blackwood BBQ, but when the brisket is on, it’s some of the best in the city. That’s especially true if you ask for slices from the fatty end. Then each morsel of smoke-scented meat tastes as juicy and satisfying as rib-eye steak."