Fun Things To Do In Chicago For Free:

Essex Inn Essextials

Everyone’s got an opinion about Chicago. At the Essex Inn, we certainly have many. Essextials are how we’ve captured some of our favorites, including fun things to do in Chicago for free:

Walk through the Prairie Avenue Historic District on the southeast edge of the Loop and view the mansions of Chicago’s founders.

Visit Chinatown or Greektown.

Stroll the lakefront.

Swim in our pool, work out in our fitness center or take a sauna.

Watch the fireworks at Navy Pier on Wednesday and Saturday nights during summer.

Visit Lincoln Park Zoo

Let it all hang out at any of Chicago’s free skate parks (Grant Park, 31st Street and Lake Shore Drive or Wilson Avenue and Lake Shore Drive).

Go to Grant Park. Better yet, go to the Grant Park Symphony in Millennium Park. The Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus presents approximately 35 free concerts between June and August. Concerts are generally performed on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturday evenings, and occasionally on Sundays. The lawn and general seating section in the pavilion are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Check out the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington St. As the building that once housed the main branch of the Chicago Public Library, it is one of the most splendid structures downtown. A neo-classical masterpiece, the Cultural Center features art-glass domes and glittering mosaic walls. Daytime concerts are often staged in Preston Bradley Hall.

Many galleries in the Cultural Center exhibit contemporary art from around town and around the world. Live musical performances take place every weekday at the Lunch Break program at 12:15PM. Hear live music on Tuesdays and Fridays in the Randolph Cafe.

Explore the Harold Washington Library  at 400 S. State St. With 756,000 square feet, The Guinness Book of Records recognized it as the largest public library building in the world. Learn about Chicago history, see Civil War artifacts and view a variety of sculptures and murals.

At check in ask about free entrance to some of the local museums.
Ice skate at Millennium Park (it’s free as long as you have your own skates).
Sled at Chicago’s newest hill—next to Soldier Field!