Free and Cheap Chicago Activities

Take a tour of Chicago guided by your cell phone. No need for a smartphone, challenges and games work through your text messages. Photo suggestions and trivia are used to help you explore. Start whenever you want and play with a group of friends. Some guides are free others start from $6-12.

Students participate in classes and workshops here, but there are also many concerts, many of which are free. See their website for details and events.

A collection of artifacts documents history and cultures of the ancient Middle East. Check out the many lectures, audio tours and the 17-foot tall statue of King Tut. Admission is free.

Visit one of the countries few remaining free admission zoos. After observing all of the animals, bring the little ones to story time on Wednesday and Friday mornings (9:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.), free of charge.

Self-guided tours, workshops, concerts and lectures occur regularly at this architectural masterpiece, which was one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most important and influential projects. For children five and under, admission is free.

This park has baseball fields, basketball courts, a swimming pool, a spray pool, playground and gym. Admission is free.

This landmark building houses free public events, such as lectures, films, music and dance events. Check out the world's largest stained glass Tiffany dome while you're there.

Dedicated to the African American experience, this independent museum promotes cultural understanding. Admission is free on Sundays. And children under five always get in for free.

This is one of Chicago's top attractions, and it is absolutely free. Catch an hourly show that starts every hour on the hour and lasts for 20 minutes, reaching heights of 150 feet in the air.

This small bar hosts live music, theater performances, art shows and book signings, among just being a cool place to hang out and have a drink. They've been around since 1934 and definitely know how to encourage good times.

For a peaceful afternoon among greenhouses and tropical flowers, this attraction will please gardeners, children and anyone who enjoys being surrounded by natural beauty. Admission to all four display houses is free.

Exhibits such as Chicago Model City, where you can see a 320-square foot model of the city, are free. Thirty-minute gallery talks are free of charge, as well. A variety of tours, including River Cruises and Chicago Walking Tours have charges around $10.

Explore the relationship between people and nature through the many exhibits at this museum. Get in free on Thursdays (donations are encouraged but not necessary). And, kids under three always get in for free.