What are some inexpensive things to do in Chicago?

Question

My mother, sister (16) and I (18) are going to spend a few days in Chicago this August. I have to plan it, so I was wondering if there was anything inexpensive we could do.

I have some other questions too like is a CityPass ticket, at $49.50 a person, worth it? Apparently they get you into the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry and the Hancock Obeservatory. And are these places really interesting? Are balcony seats, at about $30-50, to shows like "Wicked" or "The Color Purple" any good? What are some safe, decent hotels in the $100-130 a night ranges near Union Station? And where exactly is Union Station (we're coming by train)? Is Michagan Ave worth visiting? And what's the best form of transportation for people who are used to driving everywhere? What do you think a 16 yr old would like to do?

Lastly, if you had only $125 or so (not including food, hotel or transportation) to spend per person for 3 days, what would you do?

Answer 1

The planetarium and the museums and all are great fun all kinds of really neat exhibits to look at and wander through and they are all around the same area next door to each other so you could definately make a day of it.


Here's a seating chart for the Oriental where Wicked is playing http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/seatfinder_oriental.php

And here's the pricing list
http://www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago/tickets.htm

The closer you can get the better but I've heard that this show sells out pretty far in advance so you may wanna check early... I don't know anything about the color purple. But here's the site for that. http://www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago/tickets.htm

Go to Google maps... Type in Union station Chicago... it will show you exactly where it is. Also if you zoom out a bit you can see that it's just west of Grant park... Especially the part known and Millenium Park which is a very cool place to visit.. it's only a few years old and the monuments/statues there are EVERY cool. Next to that is the Chicago Art institute. I highly recommend wandering through there one afternoon. If you scroll down South a bit... still along the lake and Grant park you can see where all the other museums you mentioned are.. they are all around Soldeir feild.
Union station is just a few blocks off of Michigan ave.. and well there are more hotels down there than one can count. As far as safe... this is a pretty decent area so no real worries there... Do your reasearch on hotels.com or travelocity or what have you... You can find good deals far enough in advance. Michigan Ave has as I said the parks and all the museums as well as fabulous shopping. Also check out Watertower place for shopping. As far as getting around town... The bus system down town is pretty tourist friendly Talk to the concierge at your hotel they'll tell you the routes... but up and down michigan you pretty much can't go wrong. And walking most times of the year Especially in the spring Isn't a bad way to go. They have visitor Bus and L passes in chicago... so you can buy an unlimited pass for pretty dern cheep... check it out http://www3.yourcta.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTA&category%5Fname=&product%5Fid=vp

Personally I'm not much of a shopper... and i love the museums... I would spend most of my time in and around grant park.. With all the museums and most of them are by donation admissions with only certian special exhibits costing money... it's a good price. Also Make sure you stop and have some REAL chicago style pizza... walk around... the smaller and more croweded ususally is the best place to go! There is also Navy peir for shopping and all around good fun...
Have a great time! I know you'll love chi town :D

Answer 2

Get the pass. Union Station is on Canal Street. You will likely need to take a cab or bus to your hotel. You can buy weekly bus/el passes to save money on transportation -- it's very safe but watch your wallets while on the El. Go to www.chicagotransit.com for routes, transit info, etc.

Definitely see:

Field Museum (has huge dinosaur bones, reconstructed)
Millennium Park (no cost)
Navy Pier (no cost)
Lincoln Park Zoo (no cost) and it is in the middle of Lincoln Park, with paddle boats you can rent for a small fee. It's beautiful.

Art museum if you like art (and definitely see "American Gothic" if you can -- it's the painting of the farmer and the wife with the pitchfork--it's very cool to see in person. Also, they have lot of Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, and other famous artists in there.)

Don't pay money to go to the Sears Tower or the John Hancock building--it's a waste. Just go to the John Hancock building and have a drink at the bar on the 96th floor (coffee or cokes are cheapest but nothing is exactly "cheap" there--still, it's cheaper than buying a ticket to see the same view, which is spectacular). There's no admission price to get into the bar. The Sears Tower is a ripoff--steer clear.

Definitely check out Michigan Avenue ("The Magnificent Mile") because there's so much to see and do and it's so very Chicago.

Have a great time in Chicago -- it's a really fun city. Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes, those balcony seats are decent (I work at the theaters those shows are playing at). You really can't go wrong with either one of those two.

Going to all those museums might be exhausting, but they're worth the see. Pick the ones that deal with what you're most interested in for your must-see list. Museum of Science and Industry is generally fun for everyone, no matter what your specific interests.

If you want a pretty nighttime view of the city lights, don't pay money to go to the Hancock Observatory. Go to the Hancock's Signature Room. Go to the lounge portion, not the restaurant. You don't even have to buy any of their overpriced concessions; just walk up to the windows and observe. It's beautiful and an even better view than the observatory.

Chicago's lakefront is free and open to the public; that was a rule put in place when this city was built up, and thank goodness. I think that's one major element that makes this city so great. Go to any of the beaches. Go to the lakefront parks. See the much-talked-of Millennium Park, but also check out Grant Park. See Garfield Park Conservatory; it has the Niki in the Garden outdoor art exhibit in the park portion, and the conservatory itself is free and provides plenty of learning (not to mention some balmy temps, if the weather outside isn't quite as nice).

Delve into exploring the neighborhoods (go beyond the downtown area); you can save quite a bit of money that way by eating cheaply (try some authentic ethnic cuisine you've never tasted before) and checking out the local shops and businesses.

Answer 4

Hope you have a good time while in Chicago!! Have fun!

As other have posted, Chicago is a very diverse city full of things to do and you can do it on any kind of budget, be it smaller or larger.

In your case, I would also recommend some kind of CityPass...this way you can go see some of the major attractions Chicago has to offer. However, be sure to take some time and explore some of the neighborhoods which make Chicago so great.

I would highly recommend after a visit to the Musuem of Science and Industry to go and check out the Hyde Park area which the museum is near. This is the home of the University of Chicago and also a plethora of cool places to shop and eat at. U of Chicago also has a number of smaller museums including the Oriental Museum and the Smart Museum of Art.

If you like to walk around, of course check out the lakefront....be sure to get to Navy Pier as well...there is no admission fee to get in so you can browse around. Also be sure to walk around the downtown area as there are many skyscrapers to check out

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Lincoln Park Zoo...one of the few city zoos out there thats still free...This is located north of the downtown area in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park. It also has a Conservatory which is neat to check out.

There is also a service called the "Chicago Greeter Free Tours" where volunteers share their knowledge about the city with visitors. I've never personally used this but it sounds like a great idea.

Another recommendation especially if you are going to be using public transportation to get around. The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) has bus passes you can get which would allow you unlimited use of the Buses and Subways (Els) for a specified amount of time. Be sure to check this link out.

Again, have a great time in Chicago and be sure to check out what the city has to offer. I bet you'll be back to see more!

Answer 5

I live in Chicago and I definitEly recommend the city/pass tickets. It will bring you to see some of the most amazing sites in Chicago. Going to the shows are a great idea, however they can be costly.

I would recommend a trip to Navy Pier, you can walk around there all day and not spend much at all (or you can spend a heck of a lot) it is all up to your personal budget. The beach is within walking distance, so you can pack a lunch and have a totally great day there!

Michigan Ave is a must see along with Buckingham Fountain at night. The el system can get you where you want to go and is much cheaper than cabbing it.

A trip to Millennium Park is also a freebie. You can walk around for hours and never see it all. Lincoln Park zoo is also free admittance. It was just renovated and is supposed to be awesome.

If you have a bad time in the city of Chicago, it is not Chicago's fault. It is a great city! Welcome!

Answer 6

The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry are all good places to go. I live near Chicago and we used to go to these places on field trips. It might not be interesting to older people, but it depends on what they're interested in. You might want to look up some of the places on google to see what they're all about and ask your sister (and yourself) if she would be interested in it. Navy Pier is definitely a must!!! Especially if you are trying to save some money. I think you would definitely like Navy Pier.

Answer 7

Go ahead and buy the city pass and see wicked, go to blues club and of course hard rock cafe', and that about spends the 125.00. You will enjoy the aquarium and planetarium and field museum, not sure if you would really enjoy the others. if you've got money left, they have a harbor ride in a ferry boat. all that should keep you busy for 3-days. just cab or city bus around chi-town.enjoy your vacation.

Answer 8

Ya!!!! Get the pass. I get it every time I go. The Field Musem and the Museum of Science and Industry are amazing. Be sure to go to Navy Pier too. There's a lot of inexpensive little shops, restaurants, and other things to do there too.

Answer 9

Get the CityPass. A free trolley connects most attractions. Spend time in Milennium Park and Navy Pier...both are free and full of sights.

http://www.gochicagocard.com/?GCID=S18000x004-233&KEYWORD=chicago%20city%20pass&MATCHTYPE=search

Answer 10

http://gochicago.about.com/od/doingchicagoonabudget/Cheap_Chicago.htm