Looking for great trip planning tools and discounts? Visit the following pages for convenient resources to help you make the most of your upcoming visit to Chicago:
Always Free Attractions
Many of Chicago's most popular attractions are free to visit every day of the year. From Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Navy Pier, to the Oriental Institute Museum, Cambodian American Heritage Museum, and other world-class cultural institutions found throughout the neighborhoods, these are must-sees for any visitor or resident.
Museum Free Days
Chicago is home to over 75 world-class museums, and many of them offer free admission or discount admission days throughout the year. Some museums offer free admission on specified days to Illinois residents only, so be sure to call ahead and bring your ID if you are eligible.
Neighborhood Maps and Guides
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and the best way to get the true flavor of the city is by heading out into its diverse communities, where a world of cultures and experiences await discovery. Plan ahead with our helpful Google maps highlighting noteworthy attractions, shops and dining in every one of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, and print out our helpful guides and maps to take along with you on your urban excursion!
Explore Chicago Blog
Keep abreast of the latest free and fun local happenings on the Explore Chicago blog. Find daily posts ranging from weekend event roundups to free museum days and features about a variety of special interests - from families to foodies to hipsters, there’s something for everyone on our blog!
Explore Chicago with Foursquare
Download Foursquare, a free location-based game for your smartphone, and explore the city at your own pace. Discover historic sites where the Chicago blues was born, uncover hidden gems and landmarks in Chicago’s neighborhoods, and earn virtual badges as you stumble across Foursquare check-in locations across the city!
Chicago Cultural Center Building Tours
No visit to Chicago is complete without a stop at the Chicago Cultural Center, a Beaux-art treasure and landmark historical site that was built in 1897 as the city’s first public library. Hidden within this imposing Neoclassical structure, which covers half a city block, is a magnificent Tiffany glass dome - the world’s largest - and art galleries showcasing rotating exhibitions of locally and internationally renowned art. Admission is free all day, every day.
For all your travel planning needs, visit www.ExploreChicago.org, or stop in at one of Chicago’s Visitor Information Centers for free brochures, maps, information on citywide events, and helpful tips from our travel professionals:
Chicago Cultural Center
Visitor Information Center
77 E. Randolph Street
Chicago Water Works
Visitor Information Center
163 E. Pearson Street
Visitor Information Center Hours:
Mondays - Thursdays: 8 am - 7 pm
Fridays: 8 am - 6 pm
Saturdays: 9 am - 6 pm
Sundays: 10 am - 6 pm
Holidays: 10 am - 4 pm
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
