Mentioned by Your Chicago Guide
AMAZING Free Things To Do in Chicago
"Installation view, Duro Olowu: Seeing Chicago, MCA Chicago Feb 29-May 10, 2020 Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago. The Museum of Contemporary Art is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers. To encourage more people to visit and visit often, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away."
"When this museum opened in its new aluminum-lined facility in 1996, it became the country's largest museum of contemporary art. Featured works go far beyond two dimensions and include such diverse media as sculpture, photography, dance, performance and music. Three large exhibition floors showcase more than 7000 objects, including pieces by Sol LeWitt, Alexander Calder, Jeff Koons and Rene Magritte."
"Another great family-friendly art museum is the Museum of Contemporary Art. Their belief is that it’s never too early to enjoy contemporary art and they have two great programs to help accomplish their mission. On the second Saturday of the month, the museum hosts Family Day with open-ended activities inspired by current art exhibits."
"From folk art to photography to textiles, the National Museum of Mexican Art capitalizes on its galleries and exhibitions with ongoing and family-friendly events (for instance, during an exhibit about weaving, patrons were invited to learn to crochet to start their own traditions). Family Weekend workshops include all-ages art activities and events throughout the year highlight the Mexican culture, like Day of the Dead Xicágo, the Folk Art Festival and Día del Niño Health Walk and Family Festival."
"The National Museum of Mexican Art, southwest of the Loop, is dedicated to stimulating and preserving knowledge and appreciation of Mexican culture. It is one of the largest collections of Latino art in the nation, and it is also the only Latino institution to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums. The current collection includes more than 5,500 objects."
"2430 N Cannon DrHours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-5pm (Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents year-round.)Suggested donation: $9, $7 for students and seniors, $6 for children (3-12), free for children under 3"
"Children under 3, active-duty military, veterans, and Illinois K-12 teachers are always free. Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents. Meet the fish at the Shedd Aquarium."
"Ongoing weekend programs at the museum include workshops for kids to learn about identifying rocks and minerals or learning how to make jewelry. Collections include gemstones, fossils and an ornate castle. Online activities include virtual jewelry classes and rock identification classes."
"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."
"A Metra train ride out to the suburb of Brookfield, this zoo is in 216 acres of green parkland and boasts more than 450 species. The Brookfield Zoo made waves when it opened in 1934 as it pioneered the use of moats and ditches instead of cages, and was also the first in America to have giant pandas. One of the most recent additions is the Great Bear Wilderness, letting you get within inches of North Americas mightiest carnivores."
"The second in the list of the popular zoos around Chicago is the Brookfield Zoo. It is also alternatively known as the Chicago Zoological Park. The zoo is located in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield from where it derives its name."
"The Helen Brach Primate House is yet another extension of the Lincoln Park Zoo and is home to primates of varying shapes, sizes and colour. The area is made in a way to imitate the natural habitat for the primates to make them feel safe and familiar at the place that they are residing in. It was opened back in 1927 which finally underwent an extensive renovation in the year 1992."
"The Regenstein Center for African Apes is also part or rather an extension of the Lincoln Park Zoo, where the visitors can come close to the apes, chimpanzees and the gorillas that have found their home there. It is home to some of the endangered species of western lowland gorillas as well as chimpanzees and exists to provide with the most realistic looking environment for them to live in comfortably. Location: 2058-2156 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614, USATimings: 10 AM to 5 PMEntry Fees : –"
"I have been going here for as long as I can remember; it may be my original first favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fun fact, I posted that first picture to my feed back when I started my account back in 2014!. Eataly can only be described as an Italian food mecca… With several different restaurants, markets, wine bars, even a nutella bar, this place is a true destination and SO much fun."
"Description: Nutella® and Eataly are iconic Italian brands that share a common belief in amazing food. The Nutella Bar at Eataly Chicago is unreal. Be sure to try their all-natural gelato served in a crunchy waffle cup."
"Nowhere else can you find the most authentic Italian gelato outside of Italy. Skip the Nutella bar and head straight for Eataly’s gelato this summer."
"Since 1927, The Village has charmed guests with its charming atmosphere — designed to resemble a star-lit Tuscan village at dusk, this restaurant features affordable yet delicious food and a fun, unique setting. The Village offers traditional Italian fare like gourmet pizzas and pasta, but it also serves house specialties such as ossobuco, veal shank slowly braised with wine and aromatic vegetables. If you are looking for a lighter meal, The Village has several different salads ranging from traditional Caesar greens to the seafood salad, which features octopus and calamari."
"Chicago’s oldest Italian restaurant gives you the closest experience you can get to dining in Tuscany without leaving the Windy City. Grab a booth inside a recreated villa and enjoy the twinkle of “stars” and murals of the Italian countryside while you eat. Classic Northern Italian cuisine is served up here, including pizza, pasta and seafood as well as an impressive kids menu."
"There are plenty of old-school red sauce joints in Chicago, but Italian Village has been doing it the longest. Now encompassing three restaurants, this Loop institution — opened in 1927 — serves classic Italian-American dishes in rustic themed spaces. View this post on Instagram"
"It may surprise folks to learn that Glenn’s Diner is home to some of the finest seafood in town. Of course breakfast is served all-day, and there’s an assortment of cereals, but the real highlights are the fresh catch. Walleye, mahi-mahi, swordfish, striped bass, and more are imported from around the country, and guests can feast on all-you-can-eat crab legs on Tuesdays and endless shrimp on Thursdays as well."
"Glenn’s Diner is known for its fresh fish and American diner fare. This is a no-frills restaurant that takes a straightforward approach to the environment with wood accents in the dining space, and some of the best-tasting fish dishes in the city. One of the things that patrons appreciate about Glenn’s Diner is that the food is delicious and the prices are among the most reasonable in town."
"American , Seafood , Diner"
"Half Shell started their story when Danny, his daughters, Deborah and Candie, along with boy, Ali, functioned alongside establishing a loyal and dedicated restaurant. Their customers cherished the food, but also the warm and fun setting in the small, corner-street restaurant given. It became exactly what Danny always wanted: a family group of owners, employees, and clients who treasured to have pleasure, break bread, and also create fantastic memories."
"Half Shell Oyster Bar is a great restaurant in Chicago that prides itself on its no-frills approach to dining. Half Shell specializes in great seafood–without having to hide behind fancy techniques or ingredients. The restaurant is family owned and has been passed down through generations."
"A Chicago institution, adored by the seafood-loving citizens of this town, Eddie V’s certainly delivers on the “prime seafood” part of its name. Sourcing its seafood from locations as far afield as Nantucket, New Brunswick, and the South Pacific, this is a place to try seafood at its best. As you can see from our picture, the dish of Nantucket Scallops with Gnocchi is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach."
"Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is one of the most expensive venues for dining, but it is also one of the most upscale in the entire city. This is a high-end seafood restaurant that offers elegant fine dining in an upscale atmosphere in the restaurant/dining area of the establishment. The menu offers a good variety of seafood and steak offerings."