How can I visit Chicago on a semi-limited budget?

Question

Do you have tips for a traveler on a budget? I'm going to be going to Chicago in July, and want to know some ways to save some money. We are spending most of money on a nice hotel downtown, so are looking to save on our entertainment and food, but still be comfortable and have a nice time.

Answer 1

Chicago in July is the place to be. You are going to be dizzy from all of the free or inexpensive options.

First, take all of Manonthestreet1's advice. Then read this:

Be prepared to walk! For example, walking from the Magnificent Mile on North Michigan Avenue or Navy Pier down to the Museum Campus (basically, one end of downtown to another) will log a few miles on your sneakers. Get a CTA visitor pass before you go (but allow 2 weeks for delivery) to get unlimited rides on buses and 'L' trains while you're in town. A 5-day pass is only $18.

For a breathtaking view, head to the Signature Room at the 95th in the John Hancock Building. It's only one floor below the observation deck, but it's much less crowded and you can relax up there at a private table for the cost of just one drink.

Also, the city has a tremendous number of outdoor festivals, the most famous and largest of which is the Taste of Chicago (June 29-July 8 in Grant Park). Most locals (like me) avoid this because of the crowds and the expensive food tickets. Admission is free, however, and crowds are lighter on week days during lunch time.

A better bet would be the neighborhood festivals which have great live music. My favorite is the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival (July 14-15) at Welles Park which is just a few blocks from the Western stop on the Brown Line 'L'. The neighborhood festivals charge suggested donations of about $5, but they can't legally force you to pay to walk on a public street.

Chicago's world class museums are another good option, but they can be expensive. The Art Institute of Chicago is free on Thursday and Friday evenings in the summer from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. As someone else mentioned, the Lincoln Park Zoo is always free as well. Unfortunately, all the museums on the Museum Campus (the Field Museum of Natural History, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium) have no free or discounted days in July. If you are a true museum buff and plan to cram several museums into your visit (I would be exhausted), consider the CityPass, which gets you admission to the Adler, the Shedd, the Field, the Museum of Science and Industry and the Hancock Observatory. It's about $50 and lasts 9 days from first use. Keep in mind that special exhibits and attractions may cost extra.

Beaches in the City of Chicago are always free and a great way to spend a summer day. If you do make it to the Museum Campus, 12th Street Beach (just a short walk south of the Adler Planetarium) is relatively secluded and not crowded for a Chicago beach. Pack a picnic lunch and a book or a Frisbee, and you're set.

You absolutely cannot miss Millennium Park, which has free outdoor concerts and performances all summer long. (Check their website for details in a month or two.) Make sure to take pictures with the "Bean" or Cloud Gate sculpture, and get your feet wet in the whimsical Crown Fountain.

Another great free downtown experience is Summer Dance, a free dance lesson and concert series right in Grant Park downtown. Learn the dance for an hour, then dance what you've learned to a great live band. Each night offers a different style of dance and music. Their schedule is also not yet online.

Starting at the end of July, the city presents the Outdoor Film Festival, which shows free movies in Grant Park on Tuesday nights at dusk. Another great picnic opportunity, people start staking out their spots as early as 4 p.m. The 2007 schedule has not been announced, but check the city of Chicago website soon for details.

In addition the Chicago Park District hosts free Movies and Concerts in the Parks all summer long in neighborhoods all over town. Check their website for details as your visit approaches.

If you have a laptop with wireless capabilities, bring it with you and take advantage of the free Wi-Fi at all 79 Chicago Public Library locations. You don't even need a library card! That way you can look things up on the fly while on your visit.

For cheap food, I highly recommend the book "The Streets and San Man's Guide to Chicago Eats". This book offers up a bunch of great places with real character where you can grab a hearty lunch for real cheap. You can get it used on Amazon for $6.50 plus shipping.

Enjoy your visit to what I think is the greatest city in the summer time!

Answer 2

Pick up a copy of Time Out Chicago magazine. It lists everything going on in the city for that week by category (theater, comedy, music, etc.) and lists the admission prices. There are a bunch of shows around town that are pretty cheap, maybe $12 or less. For instance, the IO theater near Wrigley Field has comedy shows every night, most about $10 or less. And there is a service here called Hot Tix (http://www.hottix.org/) that sells half-price day-of-the-show theater tickets. You could get lucky and see something like "Wicked" for about $12. And the Second City comedy club has a free improv set after its regular show every day of the week but Friday. Also, Chicago has about 50 gazillion live music venues, from bars to full concert halls. A lot of them range from no cover to a small cover, maybe $7 or $8. Pick up a copy of Time Out Chicago or the Reader and read the music sections. If something sounds interesting, check it out.

As far as food, Chicago magazine has a special second on bargain dining. Great restaurants that don't cost and arm and a leg. Whatever you do, PLEASE check out something more than Chicago pizza. It's great, but once you've had it, you've had it. It's starting to become a big overrated. And that's coming from a lifelong Chicagoan http://www.chicagomag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=8642F5EFCEA14A939100AB7214F31861&nm=Archives&type=PubPagi&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle+Title&mid=61BFC65300D24DB58350C761094153A1&tier=4&id=B746CD1EB71241838698651BD6B64B17&dtxt=November+2005)

Finally, the Metromix website has a daily list of bars with drink specials (http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/barsandclubs/). Click on that little calendar thing on the right side of the page and you'll see a list of bars with drink specials for that day.

Chicago is a big city and everything is spread out so you might have to do a little riding. Not everything is located in one place. But that way, you'll at least get to see a lot of the city. Learn how the bus and trains operate here and you'll be OK

Answer 3

The first time we visited Chicago we were super broke! I too suggest taking the train everywhere, that alone was a neat way to see the city. Also we walked everywhere we could. We went to the Sears tower (which did cost to get in) but we stayed for a good part of the day.
Definitely, Navy Pier, you don't have to spend a lot there at all. We also took a ton of pictures wherever we went, we had a picnic in front of the fountain from "Married with Children," we were not able to go to a Cubs game so instead we went to the bar across the street, it was so much fun. Chicago is a great town, enjoy your visit!

p.s. make sure you visit the shops/cafe's on Michigan Avenue the experience alone is worth it!

Answer 4

If you really want to budget.....

take public transportation (the CTA) to area restaurants/bars or other attractions.... http://www.transitchicago.com/
you'll save money (not time) by avoiding cabs

as far as food, you can search for restaurants in the downtown area (Near North, Streeterville, and Gold Coast are the best options) based on prices at this website... http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/

Also, since your staying at a nice hotel, make sure to introduce your party to the Concierge. S/he will surely know what's hot for that night and might be able to get you there at a discount - just don't forget to tip!

Enjoy and have fun!

Answer 5

If you want to have a GREAT time and spend very little money, get tickets to the Jerry Springer Show. The tickets are free. All you have to pay for is the parking which is $20 but well worth it. If you call now and tell them when you will be in town, they will set you up w/ a show date for that time and send you the tickets. My husband and I went and had a blast! It was so much fun. Then after that, you can walk to the Sears Tower or go shopping. Its all in that same area.

Hope you have a great visit.

Answer 6

Go to Navy Pier. It is free to be there, but if you would like to do any of the extras it will cost you. Also Lincoln Park Zoo is free. It is on the lake and it is really nice especially for being free. In July it will be very hot, so I suggest going swimming on the lake too. There are various beaches you can swim at.

Answer 7

Stay at a hostel there few hostels in nice areas http://www.hostels.com/en/us.il.ch.html. There 3 hostels one downtown another Lincoln park(The Arlington house http://www.arlingtonhouse.com which has private rooms to not just bunk beds)

Answer 8

stop by a grocery store and buy stuff you can carry around to eat.make sandwiches to eat during the day.DO NOT take a cab use public transportation.

Answer 9

Rendevous with me, just let me know when.