Costs nothing · Chicago, United States
15 Free Things to Do in Chicago
The best budget in travel is zero. These Chicago spots have verified free entry.
Only places with a confirmed free-entry policy make this list. Ranked by traveler review volume. Updated monthly.
Maggie Daley Park
Park & natureMaggie Daley Park is a modern urban oasis in the heart of Chicago's Loop, offering a dynamic mix of recreational activities and green spaces.
Read our full guide →The Loop
NeighborhoodThe Loop is the historic heart of Chicago, defined by its elevated train tracks that loop around the district.
Read our full guide →Chicago Skyline
LandmarkThe Chicago Skyline is one of the most recognizable urban landscapes in the world, defined by a mix of historic and modern skyscrapers along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Read our full guide →Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum (ISAC)
MuseumThe Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum (ISAC), formerly the Oriental Institute, is a hidden gem on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus.
Read our full guide →Howl at the Moon Chicago
SightHowl at the Moon Chicago is a lively dueling piano bar located on West Hubbard Street in the River North neighborhood.
Read our full guide →American Writers Museum
MuseumThe American Writers Museum, opened in 2017, is the first museum in the United States dedicated to celebrating American writers and their impact on culture.
Read our full guide →Wrigley Building
LandmarkThe Wrigley Building is a Chicago landmark and one of the city's most recognizable structures, located on the Magnificent Mile along Michigan Avenue.
Read our full guide →Eataly
MarketEataly Chicago brings a slice of Italy to the Windy City, occupying a vibrant space in the River North neighborhood.
Read our full guide →National Museum of Mexican Art
MuseumThe National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood is a cultural gem that presents the richness of Mexican art and culture.
Read our full guide →The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
MuseumThe Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, offers an immersive experience into the natural world of the Midwest.
Read our full guide →Merchandise Mart
LandmarkThe Merchandise Mart is a colossal commercial building occupying an entire city block along the Chicago River.
Read our full guide →French Market
MarketThe French Market, located at 131 N Clinton Street in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, is a lively indoor market that brings a taste of Europe to the Windy City.
Read our full guide →Wicker Park
Park & natureWicker Park is a lively green space in Chicago's West Side, offering a peaceful retreat from the urban bustle.
Read our full guide →Oak Street
NeighborhoodOak Street in Chicago is a picturesque, tree-lined street that runs between State Street and Michigan Avenue in the prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood.
Read our full guide →Jane Addams Hull-House Museumo
MuseumLocated in Chicago’s University Village/Little Italy neighborhood, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum occupies the original buildings of the Hull-House settlement, founded in 1889 by Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr.
Read our full guide →
How we pick these
Every place here is genuinely free to enter. We filter the 111 Chicago places we track down to those with no admission charge, then rank them by traveler reviews. Updated monthly.
Good to know
A few museums are free only on set days — check opening info before you go.
Entry is free, but transport, snacks and lockers in Chicago still add up.
Free attractions draw crowds; mornings are usually the calmest.
Common questions
What can you do for free in Chicago?+
This list ranks the best no-cost things to do in Chicago, from parks and viewpoints to museums with free entry.
Are there free museums in Chicago?+
Some museums are free all the time and others on specific days. The verified-free ones are included above.
Is Chicago expensive to visit?+
You can see a lot of Chicago on a tight budget by leaning on the free attractions here and eating where locals do.
Rather have a human do the planning? A Local Friend can build this day for you, at local prices.