Things to Do This Weekend in Chicago, IL

Free for IL residents first Sunday and Monday of each month. On Navy Pier.

700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Daily 10am-5pm, Thu until 8pm · Ages 0–10

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)

There's a captured WWII U-boat inside. Also a coal mine ride. Free for IL residents on select days.

5700 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 · Daily 9:30am-4pm

Beluga whales, penguins, touch pools. Polar Play Zone is built for under-5s.

1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 9am-5pm

SUE the T. rex upstairs. Fossil dig and beaver dam building downstairs (ages 2-6).

1400 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 9am-5pm · Ages 2+

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 to walk around. Free fountain for kids. Fireworks Wed + Sat nights in summer.

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Sun-Thu 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm (seasonal)

Completely free. Kids dig in soil, play in a stream, climb a vine sculpture.

300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624 · Wed-Mon 10am-5pm, Wed until 8pm

Entire floor dedicated to kids. Free storytime, crafts, STEM -- daily.

400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605 · Mon-Thu 9am-9pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Renovated playground, splash pad, free Park District programs. Toddler and big-kid areas separate.

1425 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Park open 6am-11pm, fieldhouse hours vary

Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion statues. Free playground behind them.

2021 N Burling St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily 6am-11pm

Walk through a greenhouse full of live butterflies. Small enough for toddlers to handle.

2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily 10am-5pm · Ages 0+

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

1,700 acres. Tree-climbing structures, splash pad, hedge maze. 25 miles from downtown.

4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532 · Daily 9am-5pm (extended summer hours to 7pm)

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 on Tuesdays. First museum in the US dedicated to African American history.

740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637 · Wed-Sun 10am-4pm, Tue free day 10am-4pm

50+ free pools across Chicago. Indoor pools open year-round. No membership needed.

Multiple locations citywide · Hours vary by location and session -- check Park District schedule

Best for under-8s. Water play, grocery store, construction zone. 17 exhibits.

2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026 · Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm · Ages 0–8

Giant faces spit water on your kids. Free. They will get soaked.

201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · May-Oct, fountain active 6am-11pm

Free zoo inside a city park. Ducks, alpacas, goats. Fieldhouse with free programs.

2500 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60645 · Park: 6am-11pm, Zoo: daily 9am-4pm, Fieldhouse varies

Free kids zone at the Sunday market. Face painting, crafts, music.

3107 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 · Sundays 10am-3pm, May-Oct

Free skate park. Concrete ramps, rails, quarter pipes. Helmets recommended.

360 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 6am-11pm · Ages 8+

Free. 91-acre peninsula. Prairie trails, skyline views, bird watching.

1521 S Linn White Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 6am-11pm

Sky shows for kids as young as 4. The rooftop terrace has the best skyline view in Chicago.

1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 9am-5pm · Ages 3+

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)

NHL-size ice rink, indoor pool, basketball, tennis -- all Park District prices.

3843 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm

Recently renovated courts. Best public outdoor basketball on the South Side. Free.

1440 W 84th St, Chicago, IL 60620 · Daily 6am-11pm

219 acres. Basketball, soccer, tennis, pool, baseball -- all free. Most complete free sports park in the city.

1400 N Sacramento Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Park: 6am-11pm, Fieldhouse: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm

Free open gym hours. Bocce ball courts. Strong youth sports programs.

2333 W Sunnyside Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 · Park: 6am-11pm, Fieldhouse: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-5pm

30,000+ sq ft of climbing. $30 day pass. No membership needed. Beginner classes available.

3516 N Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm

$35 day pass. Climbing, yoga, fitness, and a coworking lounge. West Loop.

100 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm

Free lakefront tennis. No reservation. Batting cages and driving range nearby too.

3700 N Recreation Dr, Chicago, IL 60613 · Daily dawn to dusk

Olympic-size 50-meter pool. Free. Open year-round. Park District prices.

4100 N Long Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 · Hours vary by session -- check Park District schedule

372 acres. Free pool, basketball, tennis, baseball. DuSable Museum is on the grounds.

5531 S Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 · Park: 6am-11pm, Pool: summer only 11am-7pm

Free open fields near the Nature Museum. No reservation. Pickup and league play.

2045 N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614 · Daily dawn to dusk

Free outdoor gym equipment at multiple parks. QR codes link to guided workouts.

1805 N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647 · Daily 6am-11pm

Tennis, pools, basketball, squash, gym, spa -- all under one roof. $50 day pass.

2444 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Mon-Fri 5am-10pm, Sat-Sun 6am-9pm

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)

Free tennis with the skyline behind you. Six courts. First come, first served.

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily dawn to dusk

Free beach, free fitness court, kayak rentals. Less crowded than North Ave Beach.

3100 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 · Beach: Memorial Day-Labor Day 11am-7pm daily

Free outdoor pool, basketball, river kayaking. The Chinatown park nobody talks about.

1700 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616 · Park: 6am-11pm, Pool: summer only 11am-7pm

Lighted tennis courts. Good pickup basketball. Free. North Side.

2741 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Park: 6am-11pm, Courts: lighted until 10pm

18.5 miles along the lake. Free. Separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians.

Multiple access points along Lake Michigan · Open 24 hours

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

Free outdoor pool on the South Side. Open 7 days a week in summer 2026.

2725 W 41st St, Chicago, IL 60632 · Summer only: daily 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

Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and dozens more started here. $10 shows available nightly.

1616 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Shows nightly, box office opens at noon

Al Capone's hangout. Jazz 7 nights. Cash only. No talking during sets.

4802 N Broadway Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 · Daily 4pm-4am (5am on Sat)

American Gothic, Nighthawks, Seurat's Sunday -- all here. Kids under 14 free. Chicago teens under 18 free.

111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603 · Daily 11am-6pm, Thu until 8pm

The marquee sign. The grand staircase. $32 tour takes you backstage.

175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Tour at 12pm, show times vary

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

Two stages, simultaneous blues bands, until 5am Saturdays. Open since 1968.

2548 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Mon-Thu 7pm-4am, Fri 7pm-5am, Sat 7pm-5am, Sun 7pm-4am

Two doors from Second City. Touring headliners. Two-drink minimum. Thu-Sun.

1548 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 · Shows Thu-Sun, doors open 1 hour before show

Improvised Shakespeare Company performs here. Cheaper and weirder than Second City.

1501 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642 · Shows nightly, schedule varies

Founded by Gary Sinise and John Malkovich. New in-the-round theater. Rush tickets available.

1650 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Show times vary, box office Tue-Sun 12pm-5pm

311 seats, full bar, $16 tickets. Touring headliners most nights.

3175 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 · Show times vary, check schedule

Free Monday shows. Dive bar vibe. The underground music scene runs through here since 1992.

1035 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Mon-Sat 5pm-2am, Sun varies

100 capacity. Prohibition-era bar. Shows sell out fast. Regulars are fiercely loyal.

1354 W Wabansia Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 · Wed-Sat shows, doors vary

In the Second City building. Stand-up format. $15-40. Zanies is next door.

1608 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60614 · Show times vary, check schedule

Buddy Guy's own club. Live blues nightly. The man himself plays every January.

700 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605 · Mon-Thu 11am-2am, Fri-Sat 11am-3am, Sun 12pm-2am

Chicago's oldest theater. $15 tix-at-six rush. Collaborations with David Byrne.

170 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60601 · Box office daily 12pm-5pm, show times vary

50 years of original African American musicals — 2026 season includes Muddy Waters

4450 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 · Show times vary, check schedule

500 capacity. Sister venue to Schubas. Best mid-size room on the North Side.

2424 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 · Show nights, doors vary

165 capacity. The room where everyone plays before they blow up. $10-20.

3159 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 · Show nights, doors vary

Smashing Pumpkins played their first big shows here. 1,100 capacity. Still going since 1982.

3730 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 · Show nights, doors vary

World's largest magic venue. Inside the historic McCormick Mansion. Opened 2026.

430 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Show times vary, check schedule

The building tour that launched a thousand architecture buffs. Boat tours from $47.

111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601 · Daily 10am-5pm, boat tours seasonal

Live jazz since 1951. Two sets nightly. $10-15 cover. Downtown location.

11 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611 · Mon-Sat 5pm-1am, Sun 5pm-12am

Free on Tuesdays for IL residents. Rooftop sculpture garden. Wednesday late nights.

220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 · Tue 10am-9pm, Wed-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon

Free skate park in Grant Park. Concrete ramps, rails, quarter pipes. All skill levels.

360 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 · Daily 6am-11pm

1892 opera house turned concert hall. Ornate interior. Czech and Mexican neighborhood heritage.

1807 S Allport St, Chicago, IL 60608 · Show nights, doors vary

Old railway turned elevated trail — connects three neighborhoods on foot or bike, free.

1805 N Ridgeway Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Daily 6am-11pm

$2 tacos from sidewalk stands — best Mexican food neighborhood in Chicago.

18th St between Ashland and Western, Chicago, IL 60608 · Varies by vendor, most active lunch through dinner

17-course omakase served in a hotel suite — 75 minutes, reservations only.

Hotel Julian, 168 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 · By reservation only, check availability

Cocktail bar hidden inside a hair salon — you have to know it's there.

3462 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657 · Check social media for hours

$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

24/7 locksmith serving all of Chicago with residential, commercial, and automotive services. Handles lockouts, rekeying, lock installation, and key duplication. Mobile units dispatched citywide with typical 15-30 minute response times. Residential lockout service starts around $75-150 depending on lock type and time of day.

2111 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 · 24 hours, 7 days a week

Full-service locksmith shop on the South Side offering residential, commercial, and automotive lock services. Handles rekeying, lock changes, master key systems, and emergency lockouts. Also does safe work and access control installation. A brick-and-mortar shop with mobile service available across Chicago.

4346 W 51st St, Chicago, IL 60632 · 24 hours, 7 days a week

Dry cleaner and tailor in Rogers Park. Suits, dresses, leather, delicates. Hemming from $12, suit jacket alterations from $30. Precise work, reasonable prices.

7100 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm

Lakeview dry cleaner on Broadway. Suits, shirts, dresses, comforters. Same-day if you drop off before 10am. $5-8 per garment. Also does minor alterations.

3000 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm

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

Dry cleaning and shoe repair in one shop on the far South Side. Heel replacement, sole repair, shoe stretching, leather conditioning. Shoe repair $15-50. Hard to find a shop that still does cobbler work this well.

10457 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60655 · Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 8am-3pm

Custom tailor in Lakeview offering suit alterations, hemming, tapering, and custom fitting. Pants hemming starts around $12, suit jacket sleeves from $25, full suit alterations from $60. Known for precise work on both men's and women's garments. Walk-ins welcome but appointments recommended for custom work.

3748 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Full-service pet grooming salon on the Northwest Side offering baths, haircuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and breed-specific grooming. Small dogs typically $50-80, large dogs $80-130. Also offers self-wash stations for DIY baths. Appointments recommended, especially on weekends.

3908 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm

Dog grooming salon on the Northwest Side specializing in breed-specific cuts, hand scissoring, and creative grooming. Offers full grooming packages, bath-only options, nail trimming, and teeth brushing. Small dog grooming starts around $55, large breeds from $85. Known for handling anxious dogs with patience.

7500 W Belmont Ave, Ste A, Chicago, IL 60634 · Tue-Sat 8am-5pm, closed Sun-Mon

Full-service locksmith with a physical shop and mobile units covering all of Chicago. Handles residential lockouts, commercial access control, automotive key programming, and safe services. Also has a second location at 291 N Union Ave in the West Loop. Residential lockout starts around $85, rekeying from $60 per lock.

3400 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · 24 hours, 7 days a week

Tailor and dry cleaner in Lincoln Square. Simple hems to wedding dress alterations. Pants hemming from $10, dress alterations from $30.

2722 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm

Modern pet grooming salon in the West Loop offering full-service grooming, bathing, nail trimming, and spa treatments for dogs and cats. Located in a convenient West Loop location near the 90/94 expressway. Small dogs from $60, large dogs from $90. Also offers de-shedding treatments and puppy grooming introductions.

1010 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Shoe, leather, and handbag repair in the West Loop. Sole replacement, heel repair, leather conditioning, dyeing, bag restoration. Heel replacement from $25, full resoling from $60. Appointments for complex work.

215 N Aberdeen St, Chicago, IL 60607 · Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Longtime neighborhood dry cleaner in North Center with a 4.2-star rating and a loyal following. Handles suits, shirts, dresses, comforters, and household items. Same-day service available on drop-offs before 9am. Basic dry cleaning from $5 per garment. Also does minor alterations and wedding dress preservation.

4335 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60618 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat 8am-5pm

Self-service laundromat in Wicker Park on North Ave. Large-capacity machines, free Wi-Fi. Small loads from $3, jumbo $7-8. Wash-and-fold drop-off at $1.50/lb.

1648 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 · Daily 6am-10pm

Family-run tailor and dry cleaner in Logan Square with a 4.7-star rating. Handles everything from basic hems to suit alterations and bridal gowns. Pants hemming from $10, suit jacket sleeves from $20. Known for careful work and honest pricing. Walk-ins welcome.

3253 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Licensed plumbing service covering all of Chicago with 24/7 emergency availability. Handles clogged drains, water heater repair, sump pump installation, burst pipes, and bathroom remodeling. Dispatches from the Logan Square area with typical same-day response. Service calls start around $100-150, with most residential jobs running $200-600.

2301 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 · 24 hours, 7 days a week

Full-service dog grooming salon near Wrigley Field offering baths, breed-specific cuts, nail trimming, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and de-shedding treatments. Small dogs from $55, large dogs from $90. Also offers daycare and boarding. Appointments required -- this place stays booked, especially on weekends.

3740 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8am-5pm

Highly rated tailor on the Southport corridor with a 4.9-star rating. Specializes in same-day and next-day turnaround for basic alterations. Pants hemming from $12, waist adjustments from $18, full suit alterations from $50. Walk-ins welcome for most jobs. A go-to for Lakeview residents who need something done fast.

3517 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Modern self-service laundromat in Lakeview with eco-friendly detergent dispensers, large-capacity machines, and a clean waiting area. Small loads from $2.75, triple-load machines $5.50. Wash-and-fold drop-off at $1.75 per pound. Free Wi-Fi. Open seven days a week with extended hours.

1101 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 · Daily 6am-11pm

Old-school cobbler in Andersonville. Heel replacements, resoling, shoe stretching, zipper repair, leather conditioning. Heel caps $10, half-soles $35, full resoling $50. Quick turnaround on basic repairs.

5309 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640 · Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm

Licensed plumber serving the North Side and Northwest Side with same-day service for most calls. Handles drain cleaning, water heater installation, sump pump repair, pipe replacement, and bathroom fixtures. Drain clearing starts around $150, water heater installation from $400. Upfront pricing before work begins.

4343 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 · Mon-Sat 7am-8pm, emergency service 24/7

Neighborhood pet grooming salon in Bucktown with self-wash stations and full-service grooming. Self-wash from $20 (includes shampoo, towels, and dryers). Full grooming for small dogs from $50, large dogs from $80. No appointment needed for self-wash. A low-key, friendly shop that does not try to upsell you.

1656 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622 · Tue-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Self-service laundromat in Pilsen with Spanish-speaking staff, multiple machine sizes, late hours. Small loads from $2.50, large from $6.50. Wash-and-fold available. Clean, well-lit.

1827 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 · Daily 6am-10pm

A long-running cobbler shop in Hyde Park serving the University of Chicago neighborhood. Handles resoling, heel replacement, shoe stretching, zipper repair, and leather conditioning. Full resoling from $45, heel caps from $10. Also repairs bags and belts. Quick turnaround on basic jobs.

1512 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615 · Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-3pm