Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Bucktown

We've collected top 10 mentioned free attractions in Bucktown from other articles such as The Infatuation, Fodor's Choice, VacationIdea.

Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Bucktown

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 Thrillist
The Coolest, Weirdest, and Best Museums in Chicago
"South LoopGo under the sea at a world-class aquarium Joining The Field Museum and Art Institute as great Chicago institutions in 1930, Shedd Aquarium is one of the oldest museums in the city, and the building itself is an ode to all things aquatic -- from fossils in its floors to Neptune’s trident atop its dome. About 32,000 animals call Shedd Aquarium home, and you can see them all: penguins, turtles, whales, otters, good old-fashioned fish, and more. What to know before you go: Shedd Aquarium is open 9am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 6pm on weekends during the fall, and 9am to 6pm daily June 11-August 19."
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 Red Tricycle
Best Museums for Chicago’s Curious Kids
"Play and learning are bridged together at this museum, where kids can: tackle the Cloud Buster, a 30-ton, 37-foot-tall steel dreamscape that celebrates adventure and risk-taking — qualities that are inherent to childhood — excavate dinosaur bones, explore the way water moves through pulleys and pipes, pretend to fight fires, and discover how our skyline full of buildings is created through architecture and engineering."
Mentioned by Crazy Family Adventure
25 Fun And Exciting Things To Do In Chicago With Kids
"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."
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
Chicago Loop
Chicago Loop
4.5 (1153 ratings)
The Loop is a vibrant area featuring eclectic eateries, shops, theaters and parks. Comprised mostly of high-rises, it’s also home to the 108-story Willis Tower. The iconic “Cloud Gate” sculpture sits in Millennium Park. Grant Park features the large, rococo-style Buckingham Fountain and the renowned Art Institute of Chicago, and hosts annual events like The Taste of Chicago and Lollapalooza.
Chicago, IL, USA
Sights & LandmarksNeighborhoods
Mentioned by Chicago 3 days itinerary
3 Day Chicago Itinerary For First-Time Visitors
"Grab lunch at a nearby café and browse the shops in The Loop. Make your way over to Millennium Park to see the famous Cloud Gate (a.ka. the bean). It’s usually busy during the day, but you might get lucky by going early in the morning before other tourists arrive."
Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago Riverwalk
4.8 (9928 ratings)4.5 (2541 ratings)
Riverside pedestrian path featuring city views & dining, plus bridges, fishing piers & boat docks.
Chicago, IL 60601, USA
ParkSights & LandmarksHistoric Walking Areas
Rogers Beach Park
Rogers Beach Park
4.5 (264 ratings)
7705 N Eastlake Terrace, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
Park
Boystown
Boystown
4 (86 ratings)
Home to one of the largest LGBT communities in the Midwestern U.S., Boystown is a bustling neighborhood in West Lakeview. It has hosted Chicago’s annual Pride Parade since 1971 and has charming coffee shops, cool record stores and trendy boutiques along its tree-lined streets. Known for its comedy clubs and offbeat theaters, the area also draws young, hip crowds to its vibrant cocktail bars and nightclubs.
Chicago, IL, USA
Sights & LandmarksNeighborhoods
Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in Chicago
"Just beyond Wrigleyville lies this section of Lakeview; it's been a major "gayborhood" since the 1970s, which also makes it one of the…"
Washington (George) Park
Washington (George) Park
4.4 (2827 ratings)
366-acre park with 3 playgrounds, a community pool, a fitness center, sports courts & a lagoon.
5531 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Park

Best Dinner Places to Eat in Bucktown

Crazy Bird Chicken
Crazy Bird Chicken
4.7 (167 ratings)
1160 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Chicken restaurantRestaurant
Cellars Bar and Grill
Cellars Bar and Grill
4.4 (418 ratings)
Wine-country-inspired neighborhood bistro with an American menu & a California-centric wine list.
5900 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660, USA
American restaurantRestaurant
Tarantino's
Tarantino's
4.5 (120 ratings)
Pasta & other Italian dishes in a homey setting with exposed brick & an outdoor patio.
1112 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Italian restaurantRestaurant
Mentioned by American Eats
The Best Italian Restaurants in Chicago, IL
"1112 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 Situated in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, this sophisticated restaurant serves authentic Italian fare in generous portion sizes."

Best Museums in Bucktown

DuSable Museum of African American History
DuSable Museum of African American History
4.6 (1145 ratings)4.5 (77 ratings)
Museum housing exhibits & artifacts that highlight African-American history, culture & art.
740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
History museumMuseums
Mentioned by Museum Hack
Museums in Chicago: The Complete List (2020
"The DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago highlights African American history, culture, and art. Founded in 1961 as the Ebony Museum of Negro History and Art, the DuSable Museum today has a collection comprised of more than 13,000 different objects to include works by Langston Hughes, St. Clair Drake, and W.E.B. Du Bois."
Mentioned by Chicago Parent
38 Chicagoland Museums Families Should Visit At Least Once
"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."
Smart Museum of Art
Smart Museum of Art
4.5 (307 ratings)4.5 (47 ratings)
Museum specializing in Asian, European, Contemporary & Modern Art, with over 12,000 objects.
5550 S Greenwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Art museumMuseums
Mentioned by Expedia Viewfinder
The Best Galleries and Art Museums in Chicago
"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."
Mentioned by 10Best
10 free things to do in Chicago year-round
"Photo courtesy of Courtesy of the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago. Photo by Chris Strong. No, it's not the University of Chicago waving its intellect at the rest of us (although it is on the campus), but rather this Hyde Park museum is named for brothers David and Alfred Smart, the original publishers of Esquire magazine."
Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in Chicago
"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…"
Chicago Maritime Museum
Chicago Maritime Museum
4.8 (32 ratings)5 (19 ratings)
1200 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60609, USA
Local history museumMuseumsMaritime museumHistory Museums

Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Bucktown

Dorian’s
Dorian’s
4.6 (128 ratings)
Low-lit, cozy craft cocktail lounge tucked in a record store with a menu of global sharing plates.
1939 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
BarRestaurant
House of Blues Chicago
House of Blues Chicago
4.5 (6263 ratings)
Rock- & blues-themed chain with Southern dishes such as po' boys & jambalaya, plus live music.
329 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Live music venueBanquet hallConcert hallEvent plannerEvent ticket sellerEvent venueLoungeNight clubWedding venue
London House Rooftop Bar
London House Rooftop Bar
4.4 (1859 ratings)
Three chic levels of hotel rooftop drinking & dining with indoor/outdoor seats & sweeping views.
85 East Wacker Drive At, N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Cocktail barNew American restaurant
Mentioned by The Rooftop Guide
Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago 2021
"LH Rooftop is a fantastic tri-level rooftop bar, located right by the Michigan Avenue bridge, on top of LondonHouse Chicago. The tri-level setting consits of an indoor lounge, called LH on 21, the main terrace called LH on 22 and a private dining space called Cupola. Focusing on LH on 22, this is definitely one of the best rooftop bars in Chicago, with an absolutely superb view among the city's skyscrapers and out towards Lake Michigan and the Chicago River."
Mentioned by Make it Better
15 Restaurants With Great Rooftops and Patios for Outdoor Dining in Chicago
"It’s a beautiful and generous view of the Chicago River from the outdoor rooftop deck at London House Chicago, situated right in the bend of the river overlooking the hustle and bustle of Chicago’s downtown and its waterway. The patio is expansive, with a trellised bar to boot. The menu ranges from herbed Baked Goat Cheese and Crêpe Sushi with smoked salmon to mezze plates, steaks, burgers, and more."

Vacation Rentals, Airbnb, Hotels & Cabins near Bucktown

Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop, IL
Hotel
$212 /night
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Courtyard Chicago Downtown/River North
Hotel
$174 /night
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4.4 (235 reviews)
Kimpton Gray Hotel Chicago, an IHG Hotel
Hotel
$197 /night
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