Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in West Loop

We've collected top 10 mentioned free attractions in West Loop from other articles such as Preview Nation, hotels.com, Adeline's Sea Moose | A Chicago Private Yacht Rental.

Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in West Loop

Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
4.6 (25232 ratings)4 (9031 ratings)
State-of-the-art indoor aquarium, famous for its variety of habitats & views of Lake Michigan.
1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
AquariumZoos & AquariumsHistorical landmarkLearning center
Mentioned by Choose Chicago
11 Must-See Museums Near Downtown Chicago
"Watch sharks feed, sea otters swim, stingray glide, and dolphins play at Shedd Aquarium, one of the largest aquariums in the world. Although not strictly a museum, Shedd Aquarium is part of Chicago’s Museum Campus, along with the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium — so think of it more as a living museum filled with exotic aquatic life. The views are spectacular, stretching across Lake Michigan."
Mentioned by Family Destinations Guide
28 Best Things to Do in Chicago with Kids for 2021 (Family Fun!)
"The adults will be able to appreciate the splendor of the Beaux-Arts building, while the kids will be absolutely mesmerized by the marine life. The Amazon river tanks are an especially big hit with the younger lot. The reef exhibits also put up an incredible display of colorful coral."
Millennium Park
Millennium Park
4.8 (58155 ratings)4.5 (22489 ratings)
24.5-acre green space with a video display, the reflective "Bean" sculpture & an outdoor theater.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksHistoric Walking AreasPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Navy Pier
Navy Pier
4.6 (50660 ratings)4 (13593 ratings)
Former Navy training center draws crowds with carnival rides, restaurants, shops & fireworks.
600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Sights & LandmarksAmusement centerCultural centerEvent venuePiers & BoardwalksTheme Parks
Mentioned by UpgradedPoints.com
The 30 Best Things to Do in Boston [Free, Historical, Kid-Friendly Activities]
"Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions and is certainly not your average pier. Stretching over 3,000-feet into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is packed full of entertainment, offering 50-acres of shops, restaurants, parks, and attractions. Enjoy a ride on the Centennial Wheel that stands prominently in the middle of Pier Park, and there’s often live music, art exhibitions, and firework displays throughout the summer."
Mentioned by Your Chicago Guide
AMAZING Free Things To Do in Chicago
"Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions, and one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest. While there are fees at many of the attractions at Navy Pier, there are some that are free. One of the best reasons to visit is the view, which is (of course!) free!"
Mentioned by bwgrantparkhotel.com
Things to Do in Downtown Chicago - Best Western Grant Park Hotel
"Celebrate the maritime pride of Chicago at this landmark pier on Lake Michigan. Featuring fun things to do all year long, enjoy waterfront attractions, sightseeing cruises, art, theater, and the Centennial Wheel. Category: Activities, Attractions, Family / Kids"
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory
4.8 (6118 ratings)4.5 (719 ratings)
184-acre park with a swimming pool, fishing lagoon, athletic fields, tennis courts & more.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksBotanical gardenHistoric SitesGardens
Grant Park
Grant Park
4.7 (16394 ratings)4.5 (854 ratings)
319-acre centerpiece of Downtown housing some of the city's busiest attractions.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
City parkNature & ParksPark
Gallagher Way
Gallagher Way
4.7 (462 ratings)
3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
ParkEvent venueSports complex
875 North Michigan Avenue
875 North Michigan Avenue
4.6 (14710 ratings)5 (8 ratings)
Skyscraper observation deck offering panoramic city views from 1,000 feet up, plus food & drink.
875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
BuildingSights & LandmarksArchitectural Buildings
Mentioned by Adeline's Sea Moose | A Chicago Private Yacht Rental
5 Famous Chicago Buildings That Everyone Should Know
"Sporting a unique tubular support system and multiple novelties, this 100-story skyscraper is one of Chicago’s biggest attractions. When its construction was completed in 1968, it was the second tallest building in the world. The skyscrapers’ stylish X-braced exterior has won various awards from the American Institute of Architects and major publications."
Thalia Hall
Thalia Hall
4.7 (2141 ratings)
This landmark venue, designed as an opera house in 1892, hosts concerts by well-known musical acts.
1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
Live music venueBarHistorical landmark
Mentioned by Eater Chicago
The 28 Essential Bars in Chicago
"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."
Mentioned by Thrillist
The 30 Most Instagrammed Places in Chicago
"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."
Steelworkers Park
Steelworkers Park
4.6 (357 ratings)
E 87th St at Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL 60617, USA
Park
Mentioned by Curbed Chicago
14 secret parks and gardens in Chicago
"This slag-filled site at the confluence of Lake Michigan and the Calumet River was once home to the massive South Works U.S. Steel manufacturing plant that employed 20,000 workers at its peak. But the steel giant closed in the early ‘90s and the Chicago Park District acquired the vacant land. In 2014, it re-opened as Steelworkers Park—a 16.5-acre lakeside landscape dotted with pleasant walking paths, artifacts of the old U.S."

Best Donuts in West Loop

Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee
Do-Rite Donuts & Coffee
4.7 (793 ratings)
Chef-owned stop for artisanal donuts in unusual flavors plus gluten-free & vegan options & coffee.
50 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Donut shopBakeryCoffee shop
Mentioned by Spoon University
25 Places to Eat in Chicago When You're Totally Broke
"A photo posted by Chicago Foodie @ UVA (@biteee_meee) on Sep 29, 2016 at 7:44am PDT. Do-Rite has some of the best donuts in the city, but most people don't know that they also have dank fried chicken sandwiches that rival Chick-fil-A. The original chicken sandwich, which comes with lettuce, pickles, and mayo, will only set you back $4.99."
Mentioned by Globe Gazers
Where to Get the Best Donuts in Chicago
"Top-pick donuts here include the Carrot Cake, Chocolate Old Fashioned and Pistachio Lemon. If you are trying to be less sinful, try their gluten-free or vegan options. Do-rite serves them up daily and you can even order online."
Old Fashioned Donuts
Old Fashioned Donuts
4.7 (1452 ratings)
11248 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60628, USA
Donut shop
Mentioned by Food Com
19 Best Cheap Eats in Chicago
"If you think something is the best, someone else is likely to have an objection. This rule does not apply to the apple fritter ($3.19) at Old Fashioned Donuts, though. Anyone who eats this agrees: It’s the best ever."
Poppin Dough
Poppin Dough
4.7 (221 ratings)
1235 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643, USA
Donut shop

Popular Gardens in West Loop

Lurie Garden
Lurie Garden
4.8 (131 ratings)4.5 (108 ratings)
5 acres of Millennium Park dedicated to eco-friendly botanical landscaping with city views.
220 E. Monroe St This is NOT mailing address, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
GardenNature & Parks
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory
4.8 (6118 ratings)4.5 (719 ratings)
184-acre park with a swimming pool, fishing lagoon, athletic fields, tennis courts & more.
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksBotanical gardenHistoric SitesGardens
Lincoln Park Conservatory
Lincoln Park Conservatory
4.8 (2461 ratings)4.5 (680 ratings)
Thousands of plants, from tropical species to seasonal flowers, in a glass-domed structure.
2391 N Stockton Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Botanical gardenNature & ParksParkGardens
Mentioned by TripSavvy
Top Free Things To Do In Chicago
"Located at the north end of Lincoln Park Zoo, the Lincoln Park Conservatory features four serene greenhouses (Orchid House, Fern Room, Palm House and Show House) all displaying fantastic arrays of flora. During summer, venture outdoors to find a lush, French garden filled with a large variety of plants and flowers, and a beautiful fountain. Many Chicago residents utilize this space to sit and read, toss a football around, let their kids run freely or just take in the beauty of nature."
Mentioned by Chicago 3 days itinerary
Chicago – The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers
"The Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory are both fun to wander through, but I love Lincoln Park for its cafes, boutiques, and adorable homes. Armitage Avenue is a perfect spot to boutique-hop for the afternoon. I love Art Effect for cute gifts (and travel accessories!), and Interior Define is fun to check out for home decor. If it’s one of those hot, sticky midwestern summer days and you’re not up for shopping, check out one of the nearby beaches along Lake Michigan."

Best Buffet (Seafood, Chinese, etc) in West Loop

Allstyle Buffet
Allstyle Buffet
3.4 (461 ratings)
4301-4333 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632, USA
Buffet restaurantRestaurant
Hibachi Sushi Buffet Cicero
Hibachi Sushi Buffet Cicero
3.8 (1154 ratings)
Affordable self-service & all-you-can-eat Asian & sushi outlet with plain décor & long tables.
3035 S Cicero Ave, Cicero, IL 60804, USA
Buffet restaurant
Pearl's Place Restaurant
Pearl's Place Restaurant
4 (2599 ratings)
White-tablecloth restaurant serving Southern/soul food classics such as fried chicken & catfish.
3901 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60653, USA
Soul food restaurantBreakfast restaurantBuffet restaurantCatererSouthern restaurant (US)
Mentioned by UrbanMatter
6 Best Buffets in Chicago for Brunch, Lunch, & Dinner
"Breakfast: Monday – Friday 7 – 10:30 am, Saturday 7 – 11:30 am, Sunday 8 – 11:30 am Lunch: Monday – Friday 10:30 am – 3:30 pm, Saturday 11:30 am – 3:30 pm Dinner: Monday – Wednesday, Saturday 3:30 – 8 pm, Tuesday – Friday 3:30 – 9 pm, Sunday 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. Hold up… a soul food buffet?. Does this list get any better!?"

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near West Loop

4.3 (1528 reviews)
Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago
Hotel
$269 /night
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4.3 (905 reviews)
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park
Hotel
$242.1 /night
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4.3 (629 reviews)
Hyatt Place Chicago Midway Airport
Hotel
$118 /night
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