Chicago, IL
Best free zoo in the country. Also: everything else.
Chicago has Lincoln Park Zoo (free, every day, all year), Millennium Park, the lakefront trail, and free days at every major museum for Illinois residents. The food is cheap by big-city standards, the comedy scene launched everyone you've heard of, and the architecture is better than the postcards.
Local tip
Every major museum has free days for Illinois residents. Check the schedule — you can hit a different one every week and never pay admission.
What's happening
62nd Chicago International Film Festival Runs Through Oct 25
The city's flagship film festival screens at AMC NEWCITY 14, Music Box Theatre, and Gene Siskel Film Center through October 25.
Time Out Chicago · 2026-10-16
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade on Oct 24
Free evening parade from 6-8pm on Saturday October 24 celebrating Halloween as the artist's holiday with illuminated floats and performances.
The Savvy Globetrotter · 2026-10-17
Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up Open Through Nov 1
The two-acre outdoor Halloween experience near Goose Island features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, axe throwing, food trucks, and carnival games.
Choose Chicago · 2026-10-15
Open House Chicago: 200+ Free Architectural Sites This Weekend
Free, no-registration access to over 200 architectural sites across 30-plus neighborhoods on Saturday and Sunday.
Time Out Chicago · 2026-10-16
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Play daily games about Chicago, IL →Recently added
Chicago Children's Museum
Free for IL residents first Sunday and Monday of each month. On Navy Pier.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Free. Every single day. 365 days a year. One of the last free zoos in the country.
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
There's a captured WWII U-boat inside. Also a coal mine ride. Free for IL residents on select days.
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Beluga whales, penguins, touch pools. Polar Play Zone is built for under-5s.
Field Museum of Natural History
SUE the T. rex upstairs. Fossil dig and beaver dam building downstairs (ages 2-6).
Maggie Daley Park
Free. Climbing walls, slides, skating ribbon in winter. Regularly called the best playground in the country.