Seeing the sights should never cause anyone financial grief. Fortunately, travelers will be glad to know that Chicago is a pretty affordable place when it comes to awesome things to do and places to see. So here’s the low-down on how to experience the city for a fraction of the cost, or in some instances, for free. Get ready to get the most bang for your buck!

Going All In: CityPASS and the Go Chicago Card

If you want to see as much as possible, the Chicago CityPASS is totally worth it. Why? Well, for starters, it offers access to the most popular attractions at significant savings of up to 50 percent off on admission. All anyone has to do to take advantage of this deal is purchase the ticket booklets online or at any of the Chicago attractions.

Next, simply check out all the exciting options and start figuring out which ones you want to explore at your convenience over a nine-day period. Present the CityPASS tickets to each attraction and you’re all set. Plus, whenever someone shows CityPASS, they enjoy expedited entry. Sweet!

Now for the main attractions—Chicago CityPASS includes admission to five must-visit spots: the Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium OR the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Science and Industry OR the 360 Chicago Observation Deck.

Similar in concept, the Chicago Go Card offers access to multiple attractions for one low price. From bus tours to cruises and more, there are 29 options that people can experience during however many number of days their purchased on the card. Great choices include all the CiyPASS attractions plus the Hop On Hop Off Big Bus Chicago, the Shoreline Architecture River Cruise, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago Theater Tour and many more.

Free, Free, Free

Did someone say free? Yes, it’s true. It’s possible to pack in a full Chicago itinerary without spending a dime. Let’s have a look at the places where you’ll never need your wallet.

Lincoln Park Zoo is where animal lovers go wild. Along with being totally gratis 365 days a year, this place is home to all sorts of captivating creatures from African penguins to Chilean flamingos, chimpanzees, and other fascinating residents. Daily activities such as Seal Training Feeding and Snow Monkey Science and fun exhibits including Penguin Cove and Macaque Forest always keep it interesting.

History buffs head to the Chicago Cultural Center to learn something new. The best part is that there is a free 45-minute building tour on select days during the week. Spanning Washington and Randolph Streets, the Chicago landmark building has the distinction of being on the National Register of Historic Places and for being home to the world’s largest Tiffany dome.

Gorgeous greenery is on view at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Here, visitors will encounter tranquil gardens and displays of thousands of exotic plants across its 14 acres.

Those are just a few of the affordable and absolutely free things to check out throughout Chicago. Now just imagine what else you can do around the city with all of those savings—enjoy a decadent dinner, go shopping along the Magnificent Mile or maybe see a show downtown at the Theatre District.

June through late September is a fine time to be in Chicago—since summer offers all sorts of exciting escapades. Breezy beaches, events outdoors, refreshing cocktails on rooftops, dining alfresco, and relaxing city tours, definitely keep locals and visitors on the move. So whether you’re traveling from afar or treating yourself to a staycation, here are five things to do this season. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Hit the Beach.

While Chicago may not be the first destination that comes to mind when talking about sun, sand, and surf, to many people’s surprise, the city is home to quite a few lakeside beaches. So dip your toe in the water, play a friendly round of volleyball or work on your tan. Whatever you want to do, there’s a beach for you. Try North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park or the less busy Oak Street Beach near the Gold Coast and Streeterville neighborhoods.

Hear Tunes at an Outdoor Music Festival.

Chicago is festival central during the warmer months, so be sure to keep these upcoming events on the radar. Music fans will certainly be in their element at Pitchfork Music Festival July 19-21, 2019 in Union Park as well as at the headliner of all headliners Lollapaloozahappening at historic Grant Park August 1-4, 2019. Other happenings not to miss include the free Millennium Park Music Series and Grant Park Music Festival, to name a few.

Raise Your Glass on a Rooftop.

The city is known for its soaring skyline and killer views, and what better way to enjoy them than from a lively rooftop bar. Hot spots around town include Devereaux on the 18th floor of the Viceroy Hotel and Cindy’s perched 13 stories overlooking Millennium Park atop the Chicago Athletic Association.

Enjoy a Meal Alfresco.

Sunny days are here and everyone is all about the fresh air, food, and drinks. When in the mood to eat outside, head to Parson’s Chicken and Fish in the Logan Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods to get comfy under the umbrellas as you dine on Southern and South American cuisine. Boasting a hipster vibe circa the fifties and sixties, Beatnik on the River on N. Wacker offers an eclectic menu of dishes from around the world, not to mention a gorgeous terrace featuring prime waterfront views of the Chicago River.

Take a Tour.

Summer is the best time of year to see the sites thanks to the pleasant weather. There is an experience for everyone, whether you’re into history, architecture, movies, and more. Walking Tours are run by many different Tour Companies. Inside Chicago offers the chance to explore the city inside and out with interesting excursions such as “The World Within: Inside the Dazzling Interiors of the Loop” and “Chicago After Dark: Secret Gardens, Live Music and Fireworks.” Cinema lovers should sign up for the Chicago Film Tour, which offers the chance to see locations from North by Northwest, My Best Friend’s Wedding and more, as well as learn fun facts along the way. If you want the open air experience without the walking try out a Big Bus Double Decker Bus Tour

When it comes to the dining scene in Chicago, certain foods and spots just stand out. Maybe the Michelin three-star molecular gastronomy darling Alinea comes to mind, but the reality is that deep-dish pizza and hot dogs also get rave reviews on the regular—and with good reason. Here’s a look at where to get a taste of the two staples that have become very much part of the city’s cultural fabric.

Cheesy Goodness

No offense to thin crust pies, but deep-dish pizza dominates this town. In fact, loyalists say the thicker the better. The Chicago-style creation has a rich history and was invented at the original Pizzeria Uno location back in 1943. However, in case you’re not sure of what exactly makes deep-dish different from any other kind of pizza, here’s a little primer. Along with the obvious thick, two- to three-inch crust, the actual construction strays from the standard with deep-dish pizza layered first with cheese, meat, vegetables and sauce going on last. Next, it’s baked to perfection, and ready to get in your belly. Food lovers who want to explore their taste buds as well different neighborhoods have plenty of guided options. Chicago Pizza Tours offers The Big Shoulders Tours, a fun three-hour experience that makes stops around The Loop, River North, Streeterville, and The Magnificent Mile to compare and contrast Stuffed, Sicilian, Deep-Dish, and Pan pizza from Bella Bacino and Dough Bros, among others. For a little lesson on the city’s past, consider the Chicago Food and History Tour by Tastebud Tours. This fascinating excursion includes a stop to Pizano’s Pizza and a chance to see famous sites in the Downtown Loop area. 

Hot Dog Like No Other

In this city, a quintessential thing to do is to head out to Wrigley Field to enjoy two iconic institutions: the Chicago Cubs and a Chicago-style hot dog. The latter is not a measly old frankfurter in a boring bun either. Au contraire. Instead, the midwest version is all beef in a natural casing served in poppy seed bun and topped with very specific ingredients: yellow mustard, green relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, pickle spears, sport peppers, and a pinch of celery salt—no ketchup, not even a small drop. Curious about how the Chicago-style hot dog came to be? Well, in leaner times, hot dogs proved to be a convenient, cheap, and satisfying staple, but really caught people’s attention after two immigrants sold them from a street stand during the Columbian Exposition. Eventually, local vendors got around to putting their own flavorful spin on them, but only one version would remain the top choice until this day. The enticing Best in Chow Food Tour by Chicago Food Planet takes groups to River North and Streeterville to try the famous Chicago-style hot dog at Portillo’s, originally founded as a hot dog stand in 1963 by two brothers and has since grown into a casual restaurant chain. There are more exclusive Chicago eats to try during this three-hour experience including deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s, the Italian beef sandwich at Al’s Beef, Garrett Popcorn made where else but Chicago, and the scrumptious Chicago-created brownie at Copper Fox. Bobby’s Bike Hike Chicago offers the Chicago Favorites Walking & Food Tour which includes stops to beloved food establishments as well as the chance to see landmarks including Cloud Gate, aka “The Bean” in Millennium Park and the State Street Historic District, along with other popular points of interest.

There is much to discover in Chicago food land. Whether you’re into deep-dish pizza or hot dogs, there is no shortage of tasty bites around town. Oh, and be sure to mark your calendar for the Chicago Hot Dog Fest  August 9-11, 2019 in Lincoln Park presented by the Chicago History Museum, which is steps away. 

Make your way over to the most visited cultural destination in the Midwest. Whether it’s your first or 15th time, there’s always something new going on at Navy Pier any time of the year. Since opening in 1916, the popular attraction overlooking Lake Michigan continues to attract tons of visitors—9 million a year and growing—drawn to the eclectic experiences ranging from fun rides to exciting theater, dining, and thrilling tours on the water.

Amusements for All

One attraction that stands out as quintessential Chicago is the iconic Centennial Wheel which offers a bird’s eye view of the marvelous skyline. When it comes to rides and games for the entire family Pier Park is the place where you’ll find the Pepsi Wave Swinger, classic Carousel, Climbing Walls and Virtual Rush: Chicago, among others. Be sure to get your tickets and have a blast!

Arts and Entertainment

As for culture, Navy Pier features fine productions and programming at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Along with classic works by William Shakespeare, the company presents contemporary plays and family programming.

Families are also welcome at the Chicago Children’s Museum, the ultimate paradise for learning and play. Highlights include the Tinkering Lab, Dinosaur Exhibition and the Pritzker Playspace where kids are encouraged to interact with everything they encounter.

Meanwhile, grown ups head to the Miller Lite Beer Garden for cold drinks and free live music performances from May through October.

Terrific Tours

Navy Pier is also a starting point for several tours, all of which are a fantastic way to take in vibrant Chicago. Depending on whether you want to be on the water or not, there’s an option for everyone such as the Sea Dog River and Lake Architectural Tour which travels through the historic Chicago Locks and up the Chicago River and features views of famous buildings including the Tribune Building and Lyric Opera. There’s also Big Bus Chicago, Bike & Roll Chicago and for the super adventurous, Vertiport Helicopter Tours. 

Happening Events

On any given season, chances are there is a big event going on at Navy Pier. Summertime is all about the fireworks, and that’s not just for Fourth of July! Fabulous colors illuminate the Chicago sky during the biweekly Aon Summer Fireworks shows which take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Film fans have Water Flicks, a free outdoor movie series at Polk Park, a free outdoor movie series from late June through early August. There’s also the Chi-Soul Fest and Make Music Chicago as well as public programs that get people moving like Stroller Grooves and Rush Hour Workouts where all are welcome.

So what are you looking forward to doing most the next time you visit Navy Pier?

Now that the weather is nice and warm, it’s time to take a break and have some fun discovering the amazing city of Chicago. Springtime offers so many fabulous things to do for all ages, whether that’s checking out the latest museum exhibitions, enjoying the fresh open air or exploring the world-famous attractions. Here’s the scoop on all the exciting experiences to add to the travel itinerary this season.

Museum Days

Culture abounds in Chicago and families planning a ‘field’ trip should start at the Field Museum, where two new and notable additions are attracting curious minds. Astonishing images of nature from one of the most prestigious photo competitions in the world are currently on display at the “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibit through January 2020. Afterward, head to the Brooker Gallery on the upper level to see floor-to-ceiling size illustrations of beautiful winged creatures in “Audubon’s Birds of America” which just opened in late April.

Only a few more weeks remain to marvel at four exquisite masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago where “Rembrandt’s Portraits” are available for all to admire until June 9, 2019. Meanwhile, cinema and couture converge brilliantly at the Chicago History Museum where “Silver Screen to Main Stream: American Fashion in the 1930s and ‘40s” presents dazzling designs by Chanel, Vionnet, Valentina and more through January 21, 2020.

Finally, if you can’t get enough of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash Broadway musical, you’re in luck because “Hamilton: The Exhibition” just made its debut on Northerly Island. The 360-degree immersive experience takes visitors back to the days of the Revolution and follows the rise of one of America’s Founding Fathers through a sensory experience of lighting, music, multimedia, artifacts and more.

Out and About

Travelers who prefer the outside have plenty of options to bask under the sun. Everyone knows that no visit to Chicago is complete without taking a few smiley selfies in front of the sculpture “Cloud Gate,” a.k.a. “The Bean” in glorious Millennium Park. Spanning 24.5 acres, the outdoor public oasis is home to several points of interest such as the interactive Crown Fountain projecting eye-catching videos by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa and the pretty Laurie Garden. Other activities include morning nature walks, yoga and concerts under the stars at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion outdoor amphitheater.

Baseball fans who want to enjoy America’s pastime can catch the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field when they’re in town. One cool way to learn more about the legendary stadium is to go on a behind-the-scenes 90-minute tour that includes visits to the press box, the dugout and other spots during non-game days.

Active types probably already know that Chicago ranks as one of the best cities in the country for biking. While the popular Bike the Drive event on May 26 draws a huge crowd, there is ample opportunity to travel around on two wheels with one of the tours offered by Bobby’s Bike Hike and Bike and Roll. Or you can rent a bike on your own from Divvy and take a self-guided ride along scenic Lake Michigan, The 606 elevated trail or on Milwaukee Avenue.

As you can see, there is never a dull moment in Chicago. So what are your plans?