30 cheap things to do in Chicago for fun on a budget

As one of the largest cities in the country, it’s almost guaranteed that most musicians will make a stop in Chicago while they’re on tour. Since 1992, the Empty Bottle has been one of the preferred places to catch rising acts, including early shows by bands like The Strokes and The Mountain Goats, as well as rare opportunities to see artists like Jack White in an intimate setting. The small dive bar’s stage offers a great opportunity to see live music up close and personal. All shows are 21 and up, and tickets to most shows are usually affordable. Plus, shows on Monday nights are usually free!

Price: Varies, usually less than $20

Chicago is well-known as one of the great architecture cities in the world, but the architecture tours only go so far (specifically, the Loop). Beyond the gleaming skyscrapers, there are other structures that prove that Chicago is rightly-acclaimed for its architecture, including homes designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, especially the Robie House in Hyde Park. Glances of the exterior are free, of course, but tours of the historic house are only $20-$30, making it a budget-friendly way to explore one of the city’s most creatively-designed homes—an early example of Prairie School architecture.

Price: $20-$30

For comedy fans, there are few stages as hallowed as the ones at the Second City, where comedy greats like Chris Farley, Jordan Peele and Amy Poehler got their start. While Main stage shows can cost a pretty penny, student shows typically only cost about $10. Second City has student shows most nights (be sure to check the online schedule), and they feature students currently involved in the comedy training center’s many programs, including acting, writing, improv and stand-up.

Price: $10

Winter in Chicago can be a brutal, unforgiving time when residents dread the thought of ever leaving their home. But it doesn’t have to be all bad. In fact, it can even be rather fun, especially if you spend some time ice skating the Ice Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. Visits to the popular downtown rink require a reservation, and while it’s an inexpensive activity if you’re renting skates, the savings increase if you bring your own skates—it’s free, but be sure to book ahead.

Price: $16 online, $18 walkup Monday-Thursday; $20 online, $22 walkup Friday-Sunday

As the birthplace of Ferris wheels, it only makes sense that Chicago still boasts a magnificent one. The Centennial Wheel in Navy Pier doesn’t come with the history of the original wheel, built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, but it doesn’t take away from the great views it offers of Lake Michigan. The current attraction was built in 2016, featuring contemporary luxuries like enclosed, climate-controlled gondolas that operate year-round. The wheel lifts riders up 200 feet into the air, giving them not only a great view of the rest of Navy Pier, but a spectacular look at  the city’s skyline.

Price: $15-$18

Want to spend an affordable day appreciating nature? Head out to suburban Lisle to soak in the 1,700-acre expanses of the Morton Arboretum, home to more than 222,000 live plants from around the world. Explore winding trails and forests or check out the Arboretum's calendar of events, where you'll find tons of nature-related activities and other outdoor programming. Don't forget to secure a timed reservation from the Morton Arboretum website before you head out.

Price: Adults $17 ($12 on Wednesdays), seniors $15 ($11 on Wednesdays), children $12 ($9 on Wednesdays)

Any night can be a movie night at home, but the newly-opened Alamo Drafthouse in Wrigleyville makes movie night into an event. The cinema chain, which has a strict policy on no texting and no talking, has a large number of special screenings and themed events, like a “Bridesmaids” movie party or a “Bring It On” brunch, as well as extensive food and beverage menus.

Sure, you can sing in your car or in the shower, but it’s fun to belt your heart out to your favorite song on a stage as well. That can happen every night at the tropical-themed Trader Todd’s, a karaoke bar in Lakeview. While the karaoke is free (tips to the DJ are encouraged), what’s karaoke without a bit of liquid courage? The bar’s tropical-themed drinks range in price from $9 for the house margarita, which comes in a variety of flavors from jalapeño to passion fruit, to the $12 shark kiss featuring rum, blue Curacao, the house sour mix and a splash of grenadine. The bar also offers a variety of beer.

Price: $9-$12 for a cocktail

Sure, you can go on a crime tour and learn about Chicago’s seedy past, but if you want to hear about the good of the city, look no further than Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. The building was originally a settlement house run by Jane Addams that housed and provided employment to immigrants, but it’s now a museum that serves as a memorial to Addams and her work. The Hull-House Museum, located on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago, tells the story of the people who utilized the space, and the work they created while living there, including textile pieces and pottery produced by artists living at Hull House.

Price: $5 suggested donation

Night after night, some of the world’s biggest stars take the stage at the Chicago Theatre. And while not everyone is a beloved icon like Julie Andrews, a pop star like Lorde, or a famous comedian like Trevor Noah, that doesn’t mean that the stage isn’t available for anyone who wants to feel what it’s like to be in the limelight. The Chicago Theatre Tour takes tourgoers throughout the entire theater, including the backstage area and onto its stage, and tells the history of the beloved State Street institution.

Price: Adults $24, seniors and children $19

One of the best things about Chicago is its location right next to Lake Michigan, and one of the best ways to enjoy the lake is on the Lakefront Trail. The long-winding path is an 18-mile trail that stretches from Edgewater Beach to Jackson Park. If you want to ride along the lake, it’s easy to rent a Divvy bike at a neighborhood station or docks in parks along the lakefront. For a speedier ride, spring for an e-bike, which uses an electric motor to add additional power to your pedaling.

Price: $18 for a day pass, which lasts for 24 hours of rides in 3-hour increments

A lot can happen in an hour, and if you’re attending one of the Neo-Futurists’ productions at the group’s Ravenswood theater, that’s undeniably true. Every weekend, Friday through Sunday, the performers and writers of the Neo-Futurists put on 30 plays in 60 minutes, all combined into one show called “The Infinite Wrench.” Seeing one play downtown is likely to set attendees back a pretty penny, but the 30-play show at the Neo-Futurist Theater costs just $20.

Price: $20

Chicago doesn’t lack for museums, and has such a wide variety of them where you can learn about everything from Impressionist art to dinosaurs, but what if you want to learn about the city itself? That’s where the Chicago History Museum comes in. The museum, founded in 1856, is a relic itself and houses more than 22 million artifacts, documents and photos. There are also permanent exhibitions on topics like Abraham Lincoln and his experience in the city, and one where you can hop aboard an early “L” train car.

Price: Free for Illinois residents under 18, $17 for students (19-22) and seniors, $19 for adults

Of course it’s fun when the beloved home teams, like the Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks and White Sox are winning throughout the season and heading deep into the playoffs, but it’s not always economically feasible to see a winning team. So if you’re just a fan of going to cheap sports games, root for the teams during their “rebuilding” seasons, when tickets can be rather inexpensive. Or, if you’re brave enough, head out to a game in rough weather, like the December 24, 2022 Bears game when the windchill was -11 degrees Fahrenheit but ticket prices were as low as $8 on the resale market.

Founded in 1940, the University of Chicago's single-screen Doc Films theater is on record as the longest continuously running student film society in the country. While it began featuring documentaries, the current screening schedule showcases classic films from a variety of genres, appealing to film aficionados as well as casual moviegoers. Tickets go on sale a half hour before each showing in Ida Noyes Hall and all screenings are open to the public.

Price: $7, quarter pass $40

Yeah, we know, Lake Michigan is great, but that’s not the only body of water that the city has to offer — don’t forget about the Chicago River. There are three branches to explore, including a 1.6-mile stretch that takes boaters through the heart of the city’s downtown, passing under the bridges that connect the North Side of the city to the Loop. At Chicago River Canoe & Kayak, which operates out of the Clark Park boathouse in North Center, you can rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your way past amazing riverside sights.

Price: $25–$35 per hour

If you're in the Loop and want to visit a museum but you're looking for something a bit smaller (and more affordable) than the Art Institute or anything on Museum Campus, might we recommend the Museum of Contemporary Photography? The relatively compact galley regularly rotates its exhibits, making it easy to stop by and see some amazing photos when you have an hour or two to spare. 

Price: Free, donations welcome

The South Side Community Art Center, the oldest African-American art center in the country, is a constantly evolving exhibition space of seasoned and contemporary artwork. With showcases of Chicago legends and emerging artists, there's always something to learn at this city landmark. On top of an enriching experience, admission is always free with donations welcomed.

Price: Donation based

If you’re coming to Chicago and not getting some sort of sports experience, you’re missing out. The city's various teams have racked up a number of trophies through the years, but getting a glimpse of the teams in action can sometimes get a bit costly. A more affordable option? Paying tribute to Chicago’s best at the Chicago Sports Museum, a wallet-friendly stop that charges just $10 for admission. At the museum’s "Measure Up" exhibit, visitors can compare their jump heights to Michael Jordan’s, or their wingspan to Scottie Pippen’s. It also hosts the “Curses and Superstitions” exhibit, exploring the reasons why some fans believe the Cubs went 108 years without winning a World Series.

Price: $10

Explore labor history and more in Pullman, the Far South Side neighborhood that was once home to the infamous Pullman Company-planned community. The Historic Pullman Foundation offers guided tours (featuring attractions like the Pullman National Monument) on the first Sunday of every month from May to October, but visitors are always welcome to take a free, self-guided look around the neighborhood with the help of a walking tour brochure.

Price: $20 adults, $15 students and seniors for guided tour; self-guided tour is free

Looking for an affordable way to appreciate local artists? Check out the Bridgeport Art Center every third Friday of the month for Open Studios. At the monthly event, artists in the building open up their creative spaces to the public and give art enthusiasts the opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Whether you're looking for a new addition to your gallery wall or a special birthday gift, Open Studios is a great and cheap option to explore unique art. 

Price: Free

Some of the country’s greatest writers, and the tools that they’ve used to craft their stories, are on display at the American Writers Museum. The museum houses a wide-ranging collection of exhibits, even hosting some virtual exhibits on local writers like Ray Bradbury, as well as important authors such as Frederick Douglass and Hisaye Yamamoto. Don’t miss the Wintrust Chicago Gallery, which highlights some of the city’s most beloved writers and their works including novelist Saul Bellow and film critic Roger Ebert.

Price: $16 adults, $10 seniors and students, free for children

Just a bit outside of the city in Glencoe, the Chicago Botanic Garden is a lush and floral oasis for city folk. Strolling through the dozens of exhibits (both indoor and outdoor) that have aquatic flowers, fruits, roses, prairie plants and woodland vegetation. On top of the amazing views, the Botanic Garden is super affordable—Cook county resident prices range around $10. The garden grounds span almost 300 acres so you'll be sure to have plenty to see during a day trip.

Price: $9.95-$11.95 for adults

Channel your inner lumberjack at Bad Axe Throwing, which is exactly what it sounds like: a place where you can throw axes. The sports facility hosts events ranging from corporate retreats to bachelorette parties. During walk-in hours, individuals can release their rage for only $25. Walk-in hours vary by location so be sure to book in advance and get ready for a workout.

Price: $25 per person

What says summer more than hitting the links? Well, the miniature links—Chicago boasts a great mini golf course located right in Maggie Daley Park, offering an unbeatable view of the city’s skyline from each hole. It also features Chicago-themed holes, including one that challenges golfers to get their ball to go over a miniature model of the Wells Street Bridge that features "El" train cars running above it. The course opens up each April and closes in the fall.

Price: $10–$12 per game

When he founded the Oriental Institute more than 100 years ago, University of Chicago professor and archeologist James Henry Breasted insisted that civilization began in the ancient Middle East, rather than in Greece or Rome. This museum has continued to explore the mission set forward by its founder, featuring more than 350,000 artifacts that have been uncovered by the museum’s own archeologists, including a nearly 3,000 year old sculpture that previously stood at the entrance of the Kingdom of Assyria’s throne room as early as 700 BC.

Price: $10 suggested donation

No one would think of a taxi ride as a fun activity to do in the city, but a water taxi is a whole different story. It provides the same transportation service that regular taxis do, but with the enjoyment of being on the water. The water taxi is a convenient, and fun way to get across the city, with boats traveling throughout the downtown area, as far north as Goose Island and as far south as Chinatown.

Price: $6 weekend one-way pass

When in-person tours couldn’t happen during the pandemic, Chicago-based author and tour guide Adam Selzer began hosting virtual tours of the city on Mysterious Chicago’s Facebook page. Even though in-person tours have resumed, Seltzer still keeps up the virtual tours on a weekly basis exploring some of the seedier and spookier sides of Chicago’s history. Some of Selzer’s upcoming tours are about the Underground Railroad in Chicago, and “Did They Hang the Wrong Man?” a tour featuring Chicago crime stories where there’s reason to believe that the wrong person was found guilty. 

Price: Donation based

This cafe-rescue-lounge hybrid is the perfect place for cat lovers on a budget. By reserving ahead of time, you'll be free to hang out with feline friends in the Catcade lounge as they roam freely. Whether you're looking to adopt or just need a friendly pick-me-up, stopping by the Catcade is a great way to support an independent non-profit shelter.

Price: $17 per hour

On any given day at the Chicago Cultural Center, you might find a free classical concert being performed, an art exhibition on display in one of the building’s many galleries or tourists marveling at the world’s largest stained-glass Tiffany dome. Don’t worry about paying for admission—nearly everything that happens in this building is free and open to the public.

Price: Free