Chicago is a midwest metropolis that comes alive in the summer. With a bustling downtown that sits along 26 miles of shoreline, Chicago is a vibrant city that makes for a perfect weekend getaway. Chicago is the third largest city in the US next to New York and L.A., but easily wins among the three in affordability.
If you are planning a trip to Chicago on a budget, you can see the best of Chicago without breaking the bank. From the top free things to do in Chicago to the most affordable – yet delicious – meals, we’ll help you save without skimping on an unforgettable weekend in Chicago.
Where To Stay In Chicago On A Budget
Chicago is made up of 178 official neighborhoods, all as vibrant and diverse as the next. The most popular neighborhoods to stay in and explore in Chicago are the most central:
- The Loop
- River North / Streeterville
- Gold Coast
- Old Town
- Lincoln Park
- Lakeview / Wrigleyville
- West Loop
- Wicker Park
The highest concentration of hotels is within the Loop, River North, Gold Coast, and West Loop. Gold Coast and West Loop hotels are the most expensive, while The Loop and River North have a wide range of budget options.
Some of the best affordable hotel options in Chicago are:
Budget Chicago Hotels
- The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago – Located close to Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Riverwalk, this luxury hotel has 752 rooms, including studio suites, executive suites, king rooms and queen rooms – making it an ideal place to stay for families and groups of friends.
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Riverwalk – Within a five-minute walk from this hotel you could be at the Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park. This centrally located hotel is a great option for exploring this city.
- Hotel Felix – Situated close to Holy Name Cathedral and Chicago Water Tower, this hotel is a great budget option for a stay in the city. The hotel offers guests the use of a 24-hour health facility and also has a bar in the lobby.
- Freehand Chicago – With a range of rooms from four-bedroom dorms to private female dorms and king rooms, this is an excellent option for a group stay in the city. The hotel also has an onsite restaurant, a bar, and a 24-hour gym.
Mid-Range Chicago Hotels
- Chicago Athletic Association Hotel – This 4.5-star hotel is located just two minutes from Millennium Park and offers rooms with park views. Additionally, the hotel features a rooftop terrace, a coffee shop, and two onsite restaurants.
- LondonHouse Chicago – A 4.5-star hotel featuring two bars, a terrace, two on-site restaurants, and a spa. The 452 rooms are equipped with premium bedding and all the necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.
- Eurostars Magnificent Mile – This hotel has a luxurious ambiance and features high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets. Where is the best place to lay your head?
Luxury Chicago Hotels
If you are looking to splurge on a nice hotel, here are some great luxury hotel options in Chicago:
- Virgin Hotels Chicago – For an ideal getaway, look no further than this venue with two restaurants and a nightclub.
- JW Marriott Chicago -This hotel features suites and city-view rooms that accommodate two to five guests. In addition to its onsite Italian restaurant, the hotel also offers a spa to unwind and relax with your friends.
- The St Regis Chicago – Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, this hotel offers a luxurious stay just steps away from Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue.
- Langham Hotel – This luxurious 5-star hotel boasts 316 distinctively decorated rooms, including suites that can accommodate up to four guests and club view rooms. Certain rooms also offer stunning views of the river and the city.
House rentals via AirBnB or VRBO may be more cost-effective if traveling with a group. Home rentals are a great way to stay in a neighborhood that doesn’t have as many hotels and experience Chicago like a local. You can also check out our guide to the best Airbnbs and vacation rentals in Chicago.
Best Tours To Take In Chicago
Chicago offers a variety of enjoyable tours for exploring the area, taking to the water and visiting natural wonders. Here are five great options:
- Enjoy a 1.5-hour architecture cruise with a comprehensive tour with a live, fun guide as you navigate through the city’s heart, covering all three branches of the Chicago River.
- Visit the Chicago Observation Deck with a skip-the-ticket purchase desk to enjoy the best panoramic views of Chicago, 94 stories above the Windy City.
- Spend the morning or afternoon exploring the city with your girls on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, allowing you to stop at different attractions in the city or enjoy drinks at different bars.
The Best Affordable Restaurants In Chicago
Chicago is known for its culinary prowess. It’s easy to find cuisine from every culture represented in Chicago’s food scene. There is also a range of budget options. Although Chicago is home to some of the most expensive fine dining restaurants in the country – a three Michelin star meal at Alinea will run you $500+ per person – there are also endless affordable options for delicious meals on a budget in Chicago.
- Green Street Smoked Meats (West Loop)
- Athenian Room (Lincoln Park)
- Tanuki Sushi (BYOB) (Lakeview)
- 90 Miles Cuban Cafe (BYOB) (Logan Square)
- Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (Lincoln Park or River North)
- Small Cheval (Various Locations)
- Pasta Palazzo (Lincoln Park)
11 Free Things To Do In Chicago
1) Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is open 365 days a year and is completely free for anyone to visit. Hundreds of animal species live within the 49-acre zoo in the heart of Chicago’s most beloved park. The zoo is the perfect stop between window shopping on Armitage and hitting the Lakefront Trail. When your tired legs need a reprieve, head to the Patio at Cafe Brauer for refreshments with a view.
In addition to getting up close and personal with exotic animals, the zoo puts on various seasonal festivals throughout the year, making it worth a visit no matter when you’re traveling to Chicago. From holiday Zoo Lights to Autumn Fall Feast and even a Craft Brew at the Zoo ticketed night, there is always something to do at the zoo.
2) Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the best free things to do in Chicago on a cold or rainy day. Although there is no entrance fee, reservations are required to be booked in advance through the Garfield Park Conservatory website. Suppose your fringe season weather is unseasonably cold. Head indoors to enjoy the flora and fauna at Garfield Park Conservatory. As you talk through the five unique houses, you can be quickly transported from a desert oasis to a tropical paradise.
3) Chicago Parks
With over 580 parks and 8,300 acres of green space, Chicago has been coined a city in a garden. From beaches to bike paths, gardens to parks, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Grant Park, Millennium Park, and Maggie Daley Park
The 319 acres of lakefront greenspace are home to many summer festivals, most notably the annual Lollapalooza music festival. Hop on bikes to explore the vast park, nicknamed Chicago’s front yard. Be sure to stop at Buckingham Fountain, the iconic landmark at the center of the park.
Millennium Park sits just north of Grant Park. The adjacent park draws millions of visitors yearly to snap pictures in front of Cloud Gate, commonly known as The Bean.
On the east side of the park is Maggie Daley Park, the recreational heart of Millennium Park. It features a rock climbing wall, an expansive playground, and a multi-season skating ribbon.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park is the green space that gives the surrounding neighborhood its name. While the downtown parks draw tourists, Lincoln Park is a local favorite. You could spend an entire day doing free things in Lincoln Park.
Check out a few of our favorite stops in Lincoln Park:
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Lincoln Park Conservatory
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
- North Pond and the Honeycomb
- North Avenue Beach
- Green City Farmers Market
Oz Park
Oz Park earns its name from the Wizard of Oz statues donned on each corner of this 13-acre neighborhood park. The park’s homage to the book’s author extends through the Emerald Garden and Dorothy’s Playlot, one of the few wooden playlots in Chicago. Tennis courts are packed in warm months and baseball fields are dotted with little league players.
The 606
The 606 is an elevated greenspace that connects the western neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park, and Bucktown over a converted railway track. Although officially named the Bloomingdale trail, locals have coined the 2.7-mile path The 606, a nod to the first digits in every Chicago zip code.
4) Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago Cultural Center is a year-round option when looking for free things to do in Chicago. The city landmark is located in the Loop directly across from Millenium Park, making it an easy add-on to an afternoon in the park.
The landmark initially served as the first Chicago Public Library, built in grandeur to illustrate Chicago’s elevated city status. The building is renowned for its architectural beauty. Its Tiffany dome is considered the largest in the world, constructed of 30,000 individual glass pieces.
The building features rotating exhibitions and free performances and events. Free guided tours are offered every Thursday and Friday at 1:15pm on first come, first served availability.
5) Summer Street Festival
Chicago streets come alive in the summer as festivals take over different neighborhoods each weekend. While many street fests have a suggested donation at the entrance, it is an optional fee. All festivals that take place on city-owned streets are required to be free to enter. Street festivals feature a range of local vendors and artists and often culminate with free concerts each night. Stop by for live music and cheap eats as you take in one of the best free things to do in Chicago in the summer.
Some of our favorite free Chicago street festivals include:
- Lincoln Park Greek Fest (May 31 – June 2, 2024)
- Old Town Art Fair (June 10 – June 11, 2024)
- Wicker Park Fest (Jul 26 – Jul 28, 2024)
- Taste of Lincoln Avenue (Jul 26 – Jul 28, 2024)
- Retro on Roscoe (Aug 9 – Aug 11, 2024)
6) Free Movies in the Park
One of Chicago’s most beloved summer traditions for families is back in 2024 for its twenty-second year. Throughout the summer, the Chicago Park District hosts Movies in the Parks at various parks across the city. Movies range from feel-good nostalgia to family films and Hollywood classics.
Check the Chicago Park District website for the latest schedule.
7) The Riverwalk
The Chicago Riverwalk was completed as an award-winning pedestrian walkway in 2016. The 1.25-mile footpath follows the river from Michigan Avenue to Lake Street, with access points at most major intersections along the river. Look for the arched signs indicating staircase access to the footpath.
While architecture tours and boat rentals come at a cost, the riverwalk is free to roam on a self-guided tour of Chicago. Some companies offer free walking tours if you’re interested in the history and architectural anecdotes without the cost of the boat tour.
The Riverwalk is dotted with restaurants and outposts to stop for a refreshment along the way. In summer months, boats dock for a drink at City Winery while kayakers paddle the perimeter of the river. The Riverwalk is a canvas for local art installations, the most prominent being Art on theMART. An inspiring display of digital art is projected on the riverside facade of the Merchandise Mart nightly starting in April.
8) Free Concerts at Millenium Park
Millennium Park hosts a free concert series in the picturesque Pritzker Pavilion each summer. Bring a folding chair or grab a blanket from your hotel to lay on the lawn. Drinks are available at concession stands in the park. If you’re on a budget, bring your own dinner and drinks for a picnic in the park. The diverse range of artists offers a perfect soundtrack to watch the sunset on the iconic Chicago skyline.
9) Lakefront Trail
On a beautiful day in Chicago, locals flock to the lakefront. The 18-mile path features dual bike and pedestrian pathways that hug the expansive Lake Michigan coastline. For the best views of the Chicago skyline, walk from Theater on the Lake south to North Avenue Beach.
To find the nearest access and ensure a safe crossing of Lake Shore Drive, save the handy Lakefront Trail Map from Chicago Park District.
10) Free Museum Days
You’ll pay entrance fees to Chicago’s most popular museums on most days of the year. Once a month, many museums allow free admission for Illinois residents. If you are traveling to Chicago from within the state, check museum websites for upcoming free admission days.
- Illinois Holocaust Museum: Free to all visitors the last Friday of every month
- Field Museum: Free every Wednesday for Illinois residents
- Art Institute of Chicago: Free for Illinois residents every Monday, Thursday and Friday. Always free for children under 14.
- Adler Planetarium: Free for Illinois residents every Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m.
- Chicago Children’s Museum: Free for everyone on the last Thursday of each month
If you are visiting friends or relatives in Chicago, you may be able to score free museum passes through the Chicago Public Library.
11) Free Events and Workouts at Wrigley Field
Gallagher Way is directly adjacent to the iconic Wrigley Field. When the Cubs are in town, Gallagher Way is free to enter for game ticket holders and is a great insider secret to kickstart your day at Wrigley Field.
When the Cubs are away, Gallagher Way puts on a rotating series of events. Events range from winter markets and ice skating in the winter to concerts and movies throughout the summer. On summer mornings, stop by for free workout classes at Gallagher Way. From yoga to boot camps, start your day sweating under the legendary shadows of Wrigley Field.
When To Visit Chicago For The Best Rates
Chicago is known for its harsh winters and Windy City misnomer, so it’s no surprise you’ll find the cheapest flights and accommodations in Chicago during the coldest months. While there are plenty of things to do indoors in Chicago, the best time to visit is late spring to early fall.
Flight and hotel prices peak in Chicago from June to September, when average weather is consistently in the 70s or higher. To take advantage of mild weather without the peak pricing, plan your trip to Chicago during the fringe months of April, May, and early October.
How To Get To Chicago On A Budget
O’Hare is synonymous with Chicago thanks to its feature in Home Alone. When booking flights to Chicago, expand your search to include Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW). Midway is a smaller airport on the southwest side of the city. Many budget airlines offer direct flights into Midway, so you may be able to score cheaper flights on Southwest, Spirit, or Frontier.
Another way Chicago stands out from New York and L.A. is the airport’s train connection to the city. Depending on your final destination and traffic conditions, an Uber or Lyft from either airport into the city can cost anywhere from $35 to $75. If you’re getting to Chicago on a budget, a one-way trip on Chicago’s ‘El’ train will cost $5 from O’Hare on the Blue Line or $3 from Midway on the Orange Line.
Although the Blue and Orange Lines are relatively safe, please be aware of your surroundings and use caution if traveling alone. Avoid taking the trains and opt for a ride share if you’re traveling late at night.
Chicago On A Budget Wrap Up
One of the best parts of Chicago is its diversity. That diversity shines through in its people, neighborhoods, food scene, and range of things to do at every budget. By taking advantage of cheap and free things to do, you can enjoy the best of the city while traveling to Chicago on a budget.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Chicago. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Anjelique Kyriakos
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