These 10 Places In Chicago Are AMAZING And The Best Part Is They Don't Cost Anything
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
Living in the city can be expensive, so anything that is free is at least worth a try. Whether you like art, history, or a good show, there is always something in the Windy City you can do that won’t cost you a single penny.
While there are many places in Chicago that have free days, these 10 attractions are free year round. Keep scrolling for all the budget-friendly fun you can imagine.
Open since 1908, this amazing plant museum features a wide range of different flowers, trees, ferns, and more, all categorized in different rooms. Visitors can glimpse what Chicago looked like before it was settled as well as marvel at succulents in the dessert room.
This astounding art museum spans 3,000 years of creativity and culture, connecting Chicagoans to work they might not see otherwise. The museum offers tours and has a passionate and educated staff. It also supports many youth art programs and other community outreach.
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Each year, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to this place to pray in the Sky Chapel, 400 feet above the streets. It is accessible by two elevators and a set of stairs. Tours are given Monday through Saturday at 2 p.m., and the sanctuary is open for meditation and prayer from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Open 365 days per year, this enchanting zoo aims to teach its visitors about how nature figures into our everyday lives. Guests get to see penguins, lions, eagles, gorillas, and much more. You can even come in the winter when they string up the lights for ZooLights.
Since 1891, this museum has featured ancient relics and history from the Near East. There are various galleries filled with art and archaeology, including ones for Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Assyria, Nubia, and more.
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Home to the world's largest Tiffany dome (which is 38 feet in diameter!), this is one of Chicago's most prized possessions. Locals visit regularly for shows and exhibits on art, music, dance, film, and lectures.
Founded in 1976, this museum features many different artists from around the world, as well as many from right here in Chicago. It aims to promote the understanding of the importance of images of our world and strives to feature a range of different aesthetics and technologies.
Preserving Jane Addams' original house, this museum memorializes a settlement from 1889. It honors Addams, who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her influence on policies involving immigrants, health care, fair labor practices, education, and free speech.
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This museum has been part of the University of Chicago since 1974 and features a collection of over 14,000 modern and historical works. It aims to showcase thought-provoking and provocative pieces that stir the sences.
Who doesn't love money? You can learn about and actually see historical currency and other related artifacts at this museum on the first floor of the Federal Reserve building - without spending a penny! Guests even get to see a pine tree schilling. The museum also features interactive exhibits and games to teach kids (of all ages) about the history of money.
If free is your favorite word, check out eight places in Illinois where your meal doesn’t cost a thing if you finish it.
What are your favorite free attractions in the city? Share your thoughts with us!
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