Christmas Lights in Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL's best Christmas light displays include Chicago Park District - Horner Park (Free), Eris Brewery & Cider House ($7-9 per pint, $14-20 entrees), Lincoln Park Zoo (Free), and Coachlight Coin Laundry ($2.50-8). Most displays run from late November through early January, with peak crowds on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Free. Every single day. 365 days a year. One of the last free zoos in the country.
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily 10am-5pm (summer hours extended to 6:30pm)
Free. Climbing walls, slides, skating ribbon in winter. Regularly called the best playground in the country.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 6am-11pm
Free 1.25-mile riverwalk. Play fountains in summer. Kayak rentals. Architecture boat tours.
E Riverwalk S, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 6am-11pm (May-Oct for full amenities)
Kids pretend to be zookeepers at Play Zoo. 216 acres. 14 miles from downtown.
8400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 · Daily 10am-5pm
Free. 46 acres of actual prairie, wetland, and forest inside city limits.
5801 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646 · Trails: daily 8am-5pm, Nature Center: daily 10am-4pm
Free kids zone at the Sunday market. Face painting, crafts, music.
3107 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 · Sundays 10am-3pm, May-Oct
Free ice skating under the Bean. Just bring your own skates or rent there.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602 · Daily 12pm-8pm (seasonal, Nov-Mar)
Not a rink -- a winding quarter-mile skating path. Free with your own skates.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 12pm-8pm (seasonal, Nov-Mar)
Free outdoor climbing up to 40 feet. Bouldering, lead, and top-rope. Downtown.
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Seasonal, daily 10am-7pm (weather permitting)
Lighted tennis courts. Good pickup basketball. Free. North Side.
2741 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Park: 6am-11pm, Courts: lighted until 10pm
Free sand volleyball courts on the lakefront. Permit for organized groups; pickup is free.
1603 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 · Beach: Memorial Day-Labor Day 11am-7pm
Indoor turf fields. Drop-in soccer $15. Leagues available. Open year-round.
3900 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 9am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm
Free open gym hours. Basketball, volleyball, badminton. Lakeview location.
833 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613 · Fieldhouse: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm
Free beach, bird sanctuary, dog beach, kayak rentals. Less touristy than North Ave.
4400 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60640 · Beach: Memorial Day-Labor Day 11am-7pm
Free concerts all summer. Frank Gehry bandshell. Bring a blanket and a picnic.
201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Park open daily 6am-11pm, concerts typically 6:30pm-9pm
$4 boat ride to Chinatown — cheaper and more fun than a rideshare.
Michigan Ave at Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601 · Mon-Fri 6:30am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm (seasonal)
Free folk and roots music festival in Humboldt Park — summer weekend.
Humboldt Park, 1400 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Weekend event, check schedule
Self-service laundromat in Lakeview on Broadway. Multiple machine sizes, clean. Small loads from $2.50, large from $6. Wash-and-fold drop-off available.
3475 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 · Daily 6am-10pm