If you are heading to Chicago and want to experience the city on a budget, you came to the right place. We have built our entire business on offering free tours of Chicago, But we aren’t the only game in town. Luckily we’ve narrowed down the top free things to do in Chicago for you. The great thing about these attractions is that they are always free. There is no special date or time you have to be there to get free admission. That way, you don’t need to plan your schedule around getting free admission and you can go whenever you want.
Chicago is full of free attractions, but the list below is picked from our favorites.
Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the only free zoos in the country. The Lincoln Park Zoo is also one of the oldest zoos in the country! It may not be as large as other zoos, but it has over 230 different species of animals on a 35 acre lot. A great place to spend an hour with your family, or take a walk on your lunch break. This zoo has monkeys, reptiles, polar bears, and even tigers!
There is even an oak tree present here that has been around since 1830, before the city was founded!
Millennium Park
Millennium is one of the largest public parks in Chicago. Its original intention was to celebrate the entrance into the third millennium. You can view exhibits, architecture, a beautiful garden, and even go ice skating! This park even offers concession stands. This is among one of the best places to go in Chicago, and admission is always free. Get an unclose and personal experience on our Millennium Park Tour.
Chicago Cultural Center
This place is so awesome we either stop in or talk about it on almost all our Free Chicago Walking Tours. The Chicago Cultural Center offers so many different things to do so there is always something for everyone. Admission to the center is always free as well as the events. Be sure to check their calendar when coming into town! You can view free theater, music, dance and even films right here in the cultural center. The center also has great art on display and you can attend lectures and get guided tours for free.
Navy Pier
Although Navy Pier’s attractions costs money, you are able to walk up and down Navy Pier and join in on the fun for free! Sometimes, concerts and events are offered that are free of charge, so be sure to check your schedule if you want to make the most out of Navy Pier without breaking into your wallet.
National Museum of Mexican Art
For those who love art, the National Museum of Mexican Art is a completely free attraction open to the public. The museum is divided into separate sections for each era of latin american art and culture! This approach also makes this museum appeal to lovers of history. Exhibits change frequently, so check out what they have before you make an appointment. If you have been before, chances are that you can go again and see some entirely new works of art!
Buckingham Fountain
Located on Columbus Drive, Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world! For those who want a fun experience in Chicago should come on by and check this fountain out. This is also a great place to spend your lunch break, or take your family to see the fountain go off! This is one of our favorite places to get a group picture after the Millennium Park Tour!
If you are looking for a good laugh, look no further than the legendary Second City in Chicago. Stars like Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell. Alan Alda, Bill Murray, and John Candy got their starts right here. It’s not an ordinary comedy club. This is where some of the funniest and brightest comedians perform. There is a reason this is one of the most notorious comedy theaters in the United States!
The Cadillac Palace Theatre, part of the Theatre District in Chicago’s Loop, has roughly 2300 seats, the perfect size for Broadway shows! The performances are always changing, and there is always something you must see here. Parking is limited in this part of town, we recommend taking an 
The Broadway Playhouse is also part of Broadway in Chicago. New York is not the only place you can see Broadway shows! Chicago has some of the best shows available right here in the Windy City. This theater was originally closed and converted into a movie theater, but in 2004 it was restored to its original glory as a place to see some amazing live shows in Chicago. Events change frequently, so be sure to look at their calendar to find a show you might want to attend!
This legendary theater has everything from music to dance. You may come for the performance, but the architecture is like a show itself! This theater values culture and frequently runs donations to help folks who might not be able to afford to come and experience live shows in Chicago. How cool is that!? If you want to see a wonderful performance in Chicago, check the 
What makes this place so special is how 100% authentic and unique their productions are. There is a beauty of an intimate theatre that doesn’t have the production budget of the shows you will see in Chicago’s Theatre District. The performers have so much passion, the stories are fascinating to follow, the prices are reasonable and the variety can’t be matched anywhere. Tucked right inside the beautiful Lincoln Park neighborhood, this is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in getting a feel for what “real” Chicago theatre looks like.
The Chicago Symphony Center has some of the most beautiful musical performances in the world. All lovers of classical music must attend a show here if they get the chance, as it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Their in house orchestra is world class, and they also bring in other guest performers and some of the most talented conductors in the world. The building is also known for its great acoustics, making it an even more memorable experience.
Quite possibly our favorite tour to take in Chicago when we aren’t taking one of our tours. How can you possibly beat being on a boat, in the sun, downtown Chicago, looking at all these beautiful buildings while drinking an ice-cold beer? The guides do an absolutely incredible job. The material comes at you really fast, so listen carefully. And if you like what you saw and what a slightly more intimate experience take a 
If we wrote this little piece 5 years ago we might have included seeing a Cubs game as part of our 
The Shedd Aquarium is an indoor aquarium located on Lake Shore Drive. To date, it contains over 30,000 different animals! There is a reason that this aquarium was the most visited aquarium in the United States for several years. There will not be many chances to see wildlife from all over the world, so take advantage of this while you are here. The Shedd Aquarium is also involved in conservation and the fair treatment of animals!
The Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) is one of the top tourist attractions in Chicago due to its spectacular views of the city. There is no better way to see the city than from the Willis Tower Skydeck! It’s also a great spot to get some pictures of the Chicago skyline. If you have your family with you, there are discounts available, as well as cheap or free admission for children.
