Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Downtown Chicago

"Located at lake shore Dr Chicago, this all-ages outing is great for anyone who loves the water or the creatures that live in it. The tanks here are so large that there are some unexpectedly large guests living here – whales!. It’s an experience your kids will never forget."

"Shedd aquarium was at one point in time the world’s largest indoor aquarium and the most visited aquarium in the United States. While it no longer holds those records, it is still one of the most visited cultural attractions in Chicago."

"As one of the most visited tourist spots in Chicago, Navy Pier offers a variety of activities and attractions designed just for kids, including:. With so many things to do in one spot, plan to spend at least half a day at Navy Pier to get the full experience and give your toddler a chance to explore. Navy Pier also hosts an assortment of events and festivals year-round."

"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."

"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."

"Officially known as a “pedestrian pathway system,” the Pedway is actually more of a sprawling underground network of halls, tunnels and corridors that connect different streets in Chicago. You can enter and exit at various points to get back to the world above, but since lots of businesses have set up shop in the Pedway, it’s become a destination in its own right. Stores are available for shopping."

"Under the city streets and spanning more than 40 blocks north to south, Chicago has a vast network of pedestrian tunnels, as an answer the vicious winter weather and to provide easy links between “L” stations. The oldest sections, between State and Dearborn streets date back to before the Second World War. The rest of the network was begun in the 1950s and expanded in the 60s and 70s."

"Address: 835 N Rush StSaturday Mass Times: 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:15pmA/C: YesCost: $2,500.00, there may be an additional fee for musiciansParishioner?. NoTime for photos after: 20 minutesCan you bring your own priest?. YesOther info to note:The chapel seats 299 people."

"Located in the heart of The University of Chicago campus, the SMART Museum of Art truly makes art accessible for their youngest guests. On the first Saturday of the month, the museum hosts a free Family Day where kids can participate in hands-on art projects highlighting current art exhibits. After creating their masterpieces, kids and their families can join a docent-led tour or listen to a story being read in the art gallery."

"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."

"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."

"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."

"Spoon presents a dazzling menu packed with delicious bites and full-blown meals in addition to seasonal specialties. And their B.Y.O.B option, a neat feature among some of the best restaurants in Chicago, allows you to choose your own beverage."

"With five stars out of 246 reviews on Yelp, the sushi bar, Japanese and Korean spot has proved to be a local favorite."

"A few of the highlights of your tour include the Museum Campus, Navy Pier, Water Tower Place Mall, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), and more. You’ll be able to disembark at most landmarks, so it’s easy to use this your to further your itinerary (although traffic can be a factor, so don’t rely exclusively on this for transportation)."

"Water Tower Place is a Chicago landmark renowned for its broad selection of over 100 stores. This 8-story mall features a number of restaurants, entertainment options, as well as a live theater. Their stores and restaurants include famous brands like Adidas, Hollister co., The LEGO Store, Pandora, Sephora, and many more."

"Water Tower Place is located in the vicinity of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Sports Museum, universities, and a spacious park. The mall got its name after a nearby water tower was built in 1869. It is located in a nine-story skyscraper that was opened in 1976."