Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in River Forest

"Next door is the Shedd Aquarium, where you can meet 32,500 creatures from aquatic habitats around the world including beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins inside the Oceanarium. Just beyond the aquarium is the Adler Planetarium, which when constructed in 1930 became America's first planetarium. The building is more than a museum; it is a laboratory, a classroom, and a community exploring the Universe together. Each year half a million visitors experience the museum's interactive exhibitions, live planetarium shows, hands-on educational programs, and world-class collections."

"1200 S Lake Shore DrHours: Mon-Sun, 9am-6pmNote: Free on select Mondays and Tuesdays. Only applicable to Waters of the World, Caribbean Reef, and Amazon Rising."

"Probably the most iconic part of Navy Pier is the Centennial Wheel, a large ferris wheel. It’s open year round, weather permitting. Towards the end of the pier, you can also get a really good view of the city. It also holds several free events from time to time, so make sure to check the calendar before you go."

"You have two choices here: you can either take a selfie from afar, with Navy Pier and its massive Ferris wheel in the background, or you can buy a ticket and take the ride, snapping a selfie from 150 feet up in the air."

"Just north of Uptown there's a neighborhood that feels like a small town and still shows signs of the Swedish settlers who founded it."

"Illinois might not seem like a hotbed of mob activity, but Chicago is the exception. It was famous during the Prohibition era as the central headquarters for Al Capone, Bugs Moran, Baby Face Nelson and many other mafia legends who made names for themselves with everything from bootlegging to gunrunning. Not surprisingly, you’ll find lots of “mob tours” in the city that are designed to satisfy curiosity about these famous figures."

"If you’re into pro wrestling, the arena boasts one of the loudest crowds in the WWE. DePaul University's men’s basketball team, the Arena Football League, Chicago Wolves ice hockey, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney On Ice, and musicians also offer lots of action."

"Housed in one of the most iconic Gothic Revival buildings in Chicago, and sitting right in the middle of the Magnificent Mile, the City Gallery is also a frequent venue for really cool exhibitions — currently Stand Up for Landmarks!. Protests, Posters & Pictures, which catalogs images, artifacts and ephemera relating to the seldom told story of public activism, outreach campaigns and governmental legislation. The building itself was constructed between 1867 and 1869, created for Chicago’s municipal water system."

"While the Chicago Water Tower was really only built to hide a standpipe, its intricate design symbolizes the value of simple things; like water supply. The story behind this structure is the important solution designed by Chesbrough to save the city from the inadequate water supply for the growing population. It is built with a characteristic Gothic Revival style, almost fairytale-like."

"This free gallery is located within the historic Water Tower and features a rotating gallery of works by Chicago photographers and artists."

"Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…"

"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."

"For a big city, Chicago has a surprising number of places dedicated to all things green. For example, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, on the shores of Lake Michigan, has a botanical garden teeming with ferns, tropical flowers, and palms."

"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."

"And as always, you can find more photos of our adventures on Instagram @VoyagingHerbivore and to get updates straight to your inbox, enter your email below in the footer, or to the right on the sidebar. If you want to help us out even more, you can buy us a bit of fuel!. If you have any questions, comments, or other vegan restaurant recommendations for Chicago, be sure to comment below."