Summertime Chi is in full swing, and we want to take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. Several free activities are happening around the city and here are just a few to check out!
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
MCA ExteriorFrancine L. /Yelp
Chicago has many world-class art museums, and the Museum of Contemporary Art is no exception. Every Tuesday, the museum offers free admission to Illinois residents, and they even have extended hours on Tuesdays from 10 am to 9 pm. The museum always has a "pay what you can" policy to encourage more people to visit and make art more accessible for everyone.
MCA has everything from paintings and portraits to mixed media and sculpture. And if free admission wasn't enough, they also have free live music as part of their "Tuesdays on the Terrace" program. Every Tuesday at 5:30 pm, the museum offers free live jazz music from local Chicago musicians. Wine and cocktails are available for purchase. You can get a well-rounded evening of culture on Tuesdays at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is located at 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611.
Navy Pier
Navy PierBusiness owner/ Yelp
Navy Pier has numerous free activities all summer long aside from their fireworks shows. Twice a week, they show movies under the stars in Polk Bros Park. On Mondays, they offer sports movies, and on Thursdays, they show romantic comedies. A night out to enjoy a film on the lake is a perfect option for a family outing or just a date night!
On Tuesday nights, they offer up sunset workout classes ranging from cardio to yoga classes. Every summer weekend, they feature live music from a variety of local Chicago music groups. Navy Pier is a definite tourist destination, but it could be a great way to spend the evening, and it won't break the bank.
Navy Pier is located 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park ZooLinda P./ Yelp
The Lincoln Park Zoo may be an obvious choice for a free activity in the city, but it is a classic. The zoo has been free ever since it opened its doors in 1868. You can walk around this Chicago landmark and take in over 200 hundred unique species. The penguin exhibit has always been a favorite of ours, and the Regenstein Center for African Apes is always impressive.
Lincoln Park Zoo opens every day at 10 am, and reservations are no longer required. We used to love to pop into the zoo for a cheap date night, and we are so glad that we have the option to do that again!
Lincoln Park zoo is located at 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
Art on the Mart
Art on theMartJulia A./ Yelp
Art on the Mart is back this summer with nightly shows at 9 pm and again at 9:30 pm. You can stroll along the Riverwalk and enjoy the stunning city architecture and then stop off to watch the Merchandise Mart come to life.
It is the largest permanent digital art projection in existence, and they have a rotating showcase of different artists. This summer, they are showcasing art from Frida Khalo and projections of the Obama Portraits that are on display now at the Art Institute of Chicago. Music accompanies this vivid display of artistry. Art on the Mart is the perfect way to end your evening out on the town!
The best view of Art on the Mart will be on the Riverwalk between Lake and Wells St.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park ConservatoryNina H./ Yelp
Garfield Park Conservatory is a Chicago treasure dating back over 100 years. These indoor and outdoor gardens are indeed an escape from the hustle of the city. We loved wandering through this urban oasis. There are several themed houses within the conservatory, and you can walk through the Fern Room and the Dessert room and marvel at the different plant life that grows in each different climate.
The Palm House features over 70 species of different palm trees and plants. What's not to love about a little tropical escape right here in Chicago? The conservatory is open Wednesday through Sunday, and at this time, a 90-minute timed-entry reservation is required ahead of time.
Garfield Park Conservatory is located at 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
If you know of any great free activities in Chicago, please let us know in the comments below!
Follow me to see more articles like this.
...
This is original content from NewsBreak’s Creator Program. Join today to publish and share your own content.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
