MuseumFREE
Chicago Cultural Center
📍 Loop · Chicago Central
The city’s landmark arts building across from Millennium Park, with rotating free exhibitions and public programs.
Official site ↗📍 CHICAGO · TODAY
Today in Chicago
Events today and places open right now, in local time.
Always free
Nothing dated today in Chicago yet. These are free any day you go.
ParkFREE
Maggie Daley Park
📍 Loop · Chicago Central
Downtown park next to Millennium Park with playgrounds, courts, gardens and the fieldhouse.
Official site ↗WalkFREE
Chicago Riverwalk
📍 Loop · Chicago Central
A 1.25-mile public path along the Chicago River between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Street, free to walk.
Official site ↗ZooFREE
Lincoln Park Zoo
📍 Lincoln Park · Chicago North Side
A free city zoo on the North Side lakefront, open every day of the year.
Official site ↗GardenFREE
Lincoln Park Conservatory
📍 Lincoln Park · Chicago North Side
Historic glasshouse conservatory in Lincoln Park. Free admission with a free timed-entry reservation on the Park District page.
Official site ↗ParkFREE
Gompers Park
📍 North Park · Chicago Northwest Side
Northwest Side Chicago Park District park with a fieldhouse, paths and open green space.
Official site ↗ParkFREE
Portage Park
📍 Portage Park · Chicago Northwest Side
Namesake park for the Portage Park neighborhood, with a fieldhouse and recreation space.
Official site ↗MuseumFREE
National Museum of Mexican Art
📍 Pilsen · Chicago West Side
Always-free museum of Mexican art in Pilsen, with galleries open Tuesday through Sunday.
Official site ↗ParkFREE
Humboldt Park
📍 Humboldt Park · Chicago West Side
Large West Side park with lagoons, paths, fields and the historic fieldhouse.
Official site ↗MuseumFREE
Museum of Contemporary Photography
📍 South Loop · Chicago South Side
Free photography museum at Columbia College Chicago on South Michigan Avenue.
Official site ↗MuseumFREE
Smart Museum of Art
📍 Hyde Park · Chicago South Side
University of Chicago art museum in Hyde Park; always free and open to the public.
Official site ↗Historic SiteFREE
Baháʼí House of Worship
📍 Wilmette · North Shore
The Baháʼí House of Worship for North America in Wilmette. Free admission, open to everyone.
Official site ↗GardenFREE
Oak Park Conservatory
📍 Oak Park · Western Suburbs
Park District of Oak Park glasshouse conservatory. Admission is free; a donation is suggested.
Official site ↗ParkFREE
Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve)
📍 Elk Grove Village · Northwest Suburbs
Large Cook County forest preserve with paved trails, fishing waters and an elk pasture. Grounds are free; boat rentals cost money.
Official site ↗Nature CenterFREE
Sand Ridge Nature Center
📍 South Holland · South Suburbs & Northwest Indiana
Cook County nature center with exhibits, wildlife ambassadors and trails through woodlands, prairies and wetlands.
Official site ↗ParkFREE
Millennium Park
📍 Loop · Chicago Central
Downtown park with public art including Cloud Gate (“the Bean”) and the Lurie Garden. Free admission.
Official site ↗Historic SiteFREE
Pullman National Historical Park
📍 Pullman · Chicago South Side
National park site in the historic Pullman company town on Chicago’s Far South Side. No entrance pass required.
Official site ↗Historic SiteFREE
Volkening Heritage Farm
📍 Schaumburg · Northwest Suburbs
Living-history 1880s German farm in Schaumburg. Free admission to the farm grounds.
Official site ↗