Free Family Things To Do In Chicago Today

Chicago is a dynamic and vibrant city, known for its eclectic neighborhoods, rich history, and world-class cultural attractions. Located on the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States and has a population of nearly 3 million people. As a center for industry, commerce, and technology, the city has become an international destination for tourists looking to explore its many attractions.

From its iconic skyline to its historic architecture, Chicago has something for everyone. From world-class museums and theaters to sports, gastronomy, and outdoor recreation, there is no shortage of activities and attractions to explore. Whether you’re looking for a family friendly outing or an exciting night on the town, Chicago has something for everyone.

In this guide, we will explore the best free family things to do in Chicago today. From museums and parks to theaters and sports venues, there are plenty of activities to enjoy without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at some of the best free family things to do in Chicago today.

Museums and Parks

Chicago is home to some of the best museums and parks in the country. From the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago and Shedd Aquarium to the Field Museum of Natural History and Adler Planetarium, there is no shortage of educational attractions to explore. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are numerous parks and green spaces to explore, such as Millennium Park, Grant Park, and Lincoln Park.

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and most renowned art museums in the world. Located in downtown Chicago, the museum houses over 300,000 works of art from all around the world. With free admission for Illinois residents, there is no excuse not to explore this incredible collection.

The Shedd Aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in Chicago and is home to more than 32,500 aquatic creatures from around the world. With free admission on select days, visitors can marvel at the stunning collection of fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

The Field Museum of Natural History is one of the oldest natural history museums in the United States. With free admission for Illinois residents on select days, visitors can explore the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts and specimens from around the world.

The Adler Planetarium is home to some of the most advanced astronomical displays in the world. With free admission for Illinois residents on select days, visitors can explore the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits on astronomy and space exploration.

Millennium Park

Millennium Park is one of the largest and most popular parks in Chicago. Located in downtown Chicago, this stunning green space features stunning gardens, sculptures, and other public art installations. From live music performances to public art displays, there is always something exciting happening at Millennium Park.

Grant Park

Grant Park is one of the oldest public parks in Chicago and is home to many iconic attractions, including Buckingham Fountain and Cloud Gate (“The Bean”). Covering 319 acres of land along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, Grant Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic or take a stroll along the waterfront.

Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s largest parks and is home to many attractions such as the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lincoln Park Conservatory. With over 1,200 acres of green space, Lincoln Park is a great place to enjoy a picnic or take a stroll along the scenic lakefront.

Theaters and Music Venues

Chicago is home to some of the best theaters and music venues in the country. From Broadway shows at The Auditorium Theatre and The Chicago Theater to jazz clubs like The Green Mill, there is no shortage of entertainment options in Chicago.

The Auditorium Theatre is one of the most iconic music venues in Chicago and has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment. With free admission for select shows and discounted tickets for Illinois residents, The Auditorium Theatre is a great place to enjoy a show or concert.

The Chicago Theater is one of the oldest and most iconic theaters in the United States. Located in downtown Chicago, The Chicago Theater is home to many Broadway shows and other performances throughout the year. With free admission for select shows and discounted tickets for Illinois residents, The Chicago Theater is a great place to see a performance.

The Green Mill is one of Chicago’s oldest jazz clubs and has hosted some of the biggest names in jazz music over the years. With free admission for select shows and discounted tickets for Illinois residents, The Green Mill is a great place to enjoy some live music.

Sports Venues

Chicago is home to some of the best sports teams in the country, including the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago White Sox (MLB), and Chicago Bears (NFL). From Wrigley Field (the historic home of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs) to Soldier Field (the storied home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears), there are plenty of sports venues to visit throughout the city.

Wrigley Field has been home to Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs since 1914 and is one of the most iconic stadiums in sports history. With free admission for select games and discounted tickets for Illinois residents, Wrigley Field is a great place to see a game or take a tour.

Soldier Field has been home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears since 1971 and is one of the most iconic stadiums in sports history. With free admission for select games and discounted tickets for Illinois residents, Soldier Field is a great place to see a game or take a tour.

Tours

Chicago offers a variety of tours that provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the city’s sights and attractions. From historic architecture tours to food tours, there are plenty of ways to experience all that Chicago has to offer without breaking the bank. Let’s take a look at two popular tours you can book today:

Architecture Boat Tour

The Architecture Boat Tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore some of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks from a unique perspective on Lake Michigan. During this 90-minute tour, guests can marvel at some of the city’s most famous buildings from a different vantage point as they cruise down the river. Guests on this tour will learn about the city’s history and culture while viewing some of its most iconic landmarks such as Navy Pier, The Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower), The Wrigley Building, Trump Tower, The John Hancock Center, The Tribune Tower, and more. This tour can be booked on Viator using this link: Book an Architecture Boat Tour in Chicago here.

Chicago Food Tour

The Chicago Food Tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore some of Chicago’s best restaurants from an insider’s perspective. During this 3-hour tour, guests will visit 5 different restaurants located in some of Chicago’s most iconic neighborhoods such as Wicker Park, Pilsen, Chinatown, Lincoln Park, West Loop/Fulton Market, Old Town/Gold Coast/Magnificent Mile, Hyde Park/South Loop/Bronzeville/Rogers Park/Evanston/Oak Park/River North/Lakeview/Lincoln Square/Uptown/River West/Edgewater/Logan Square/Wrigleyville/Avondale/Andersonville/West Town/Humboldt Park/Little Village/Bridgeport/Albany Park/Garfield Park Neighborhoods. Guests will sample local cuisine at each stop while learning about each restaurant’s history and culture from their knowledgeable guides. This tour can be booked on GetYourGuide using this link: Book a Food Tour in Chicago here.

At the end of your visit to Chicago today, you will be sure to have many fond memories that you’ll cherish forever! Whether it was exploring one of its iconic museums or parks or enjoying an evening out at one of its many theaters or music venues – there are plenty of free family things to do in Chicago today that will create lasting memories for years to come!