When I was teaching in Chicago, all CPS teachers were able to enter any Chicago museum for free with their district ID. It was probably one of the best employment benefits I have ever received, and I took advantage of it weekly. Rainy day? I'll just pop into the Shedd Aquarium. Sunny day? I'll just pop into the Art Institute on my walk up the lakeshore. That perk was the hardest part of leaving my teaching position. At the time, I had a roommate who was in graduate school still and pinching his pennies. He's the one who taught me the most about all the free activities Chicago has to offer, from the neighborhood festivals to the free museums. (Yes, there are some museums in Chicago that are free to all, all the time.) Read on to learn about a few free things you can do in Chicago this spring.
The 606
What was once an abandoned train line is now 2.7 miles of elevated bike and walking paths, art installations, and landscaping open every day from 06:00 to 23:00. The trail runs along Bloomingdale Avenue, which also connects you to Humboldt Park and the Logan and Humboldt Boulevard greenbelts. The Exelon Observatory, located at the west end of the trail, is a great place to catch a sunset. Check the events page for stargazing nights, races, and more community events.
Humboldt Park
Hop off the 606 and head into Humboldt Park's 197 acres. If you brought your swimsuit and sunscreen, you can relax on the only inland beach in the city, or you can meander through the lagoons, past the historic boat house, and check out "Little Cubs Field," a small replica of Wrigley Field. Humboldt Park is also home to the National Puerto Rican Museum, which has free admission, too.
Chicago Cultural Center
Located just west of Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center opened in 1897. The national landmark has free admission and free tours; if you're lucky, you might also be able to catch one of the many free theatre, dance, or music events or catch a film or lecture. It is Chicago's official reception venue, so you can wander the halls where past mayors have met foreign leaders and diplomats. It's most notable feature is the Preston Bradley Hall, which features a stunning 38-foot Tiffany glass dome. Well worth the visit.
Lincoln Park Zoo
While free admission to a great zoo is reason enough to visit, I always wandered that way to visit the lesser-known Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. It's located outside of and just north of the zoo. It was designed in 1937 in the Prairie School fashion and features wooden shelters, limestone paths, a waterfall, and of course, a pond. I found it to be a lovely, serene place with a great view of downtown.
MetrowalkZ Tours
eVisitorGuide offers MetrowalkZ tours in Chicago for the Loop/Architecture, Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Museum Campus, Grant Park/Art Institute, Old Town, Gold Coast, and Chinatown. You can check them all out here. The eVisitorGuide for Chicago, with ideas for museums, attractions, dining, and nightlife, can be found here.
