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Highest-rated free things to do in Illinois, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living , according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations . But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Illinois.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Illinois using data from Tripadvisor . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
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Tripadvisor
#30. Grant (Ulysses) Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (934 reviews)
- Address: 337 East Randolph St. (Columbus Drive) Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#29. Garden of the Gods
- Rating: 5/5 (415 reviews)
- Address: Picnic Road Harrisburg, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#28. Riverwalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (803 reviews)
- Address: 500 Jackson Ave, Naperville Naperville, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#27. Baha'i House of Worship
- Rating: 4.5/5 (479 reviews)
- Address: 100 Linden Ave. At Sheridan Rd. Wilmette, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#26. Michigan Avenue Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (985 reviews)
- Address: 333 Michigan Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
#25. Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum (ISAC)
- Rating: 4.5/5 (564 reviews)
- Address: 1155 East 58th St. Southeast corner of 58th St. and University Ave, east of the University Quadrangle Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#24. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (831 reviews)
- Address: 30 Ramey Drive Collinsville, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#23. Jumer's Casino Rock Island
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,067 reviews)
- Address: 777 Jumers Drive Rock Island, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#22. Chicago Skyline
- Rating: 5/5 (744 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#21. Maggie Daley Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,344 reviews)
- Address: 337 East Randolf St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
#20. Crown Fountain
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,141 reviews)
- Address: 201 East Randolph St. Millennium Park Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#19. Route 66
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,256 reviews)
- Address: 198 South Michigan Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#18. The Loop
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,263 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#17. Lincoln (Abraham) Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (876 reviews)
- Address: 500-5700 North Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#16. Lincoln Park Conservatory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (795 reviews)
- Address: 2391 North Stockton Drive Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
#15. Holy Name Cathedral
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,117 reviews)
- Address: 735 North State St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#14. Lake Michigan
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,851 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#13. Lakefront Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,450 reviews)
- Address: 540 North Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#12. Garfield Park Conservatory
- Rating: 4.5/5 (862 reviews)
- Address: 300 North Central Park Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#11. Starved Rock State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,622 reviews)
- Address: 2678 East 873rd Road Oglesby, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
#10. Lincoln Tomb
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,004 reviews)
- Address: 1500 Monument Ave. Oak Ridge Cemetery Springfield, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#9. Buckingham Fountain
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,428 reviews)
- Address: 301 S. Columbus Dr. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#8. Chicago Cultural Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,067 reviews)
- Address: 78 East Washington St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#7. Navy Pier
- Rating: 4/5 (15,174 reviews)
- Address: 600 East Grand Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#6. Chicago Riverwalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,111 reviews)
- Address: E. Lower Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Tripadvisor
#5. Lincoln Home National Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,892 reviews)
- Address: 413 South 8th St. Springfield, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#4. Lincoln Park Zoo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,985 reviews)
- Address: 2001 North Clark St. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
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#3. Cloud Gate
- Rating: 4.5/5 (18,287 reviews)
- Address: 201 E. Randolph St. Millenium Park Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#2. The Magnificent Mile
- Rating: 4.5/5 (15,807 reviews)
- Address: North Michigan Ave. Chicago, Illinois
- Read more on Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor
#1. Millennium Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (25,152 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
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