I finally managed to ditch my apartment this past weekend after two weeks of rainy weather. Rejuvenated by my escape into the sunshine, I subsequently spent the entire weekend outdoors on less than $20 - talk about budget friendly.
How did I spend two whole days out and about in the city on less than $20 you ask? That’s easy - free public access. If you know where to look there are all sorts of free attractions all over Chicago for its many tight-budget renters. After all, who says you have to spend money to have fun?
One great free spot to hit is the beach. Since Chicago borders Lake Michigan, it has a great 29-mile coastline equipped with sandy beaches, parkland and jogging and cycling paths. That’s enough to fill a weekend right there. The best part is that access to the beach is entirely free, so the only expenses to worry about are transportation and parking. I would recommend bringing your own food and drinks, though - unless you enjoy paying $6.00 for a lemonade.
Another favorite spot is the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is one of the few free zoos in the United States and boasts a wide array of animals from lions and gorillas to Bactrian camels and Sichuan takins. It’s great for people of all ages and serves as a great spot for a relaxing (and educational) afternoon. Plus, there is a great little known spot next to the zoo that I stumbled upon and recommend checking out - the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond.
Lastly, the many parks scattered all around Chicago serve as great venues for a cheap day of fun in the sun. You can enjoy a little nature while reading a book, soaking up the sun or even tossing around a football. I opted for a barbeque complete with volleyball net, great food and even better people to fill my Sunday afternoon and complete a blissful weekend.
These tiny oases are only a small taste of the free events and public locations that Chicago has to offer. Check out The Local Tourist for a list of free events and public attractions. What are your favorite cheap spots in Chicago?
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Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!