Many of us travel great distances and dish out large sums of cash to satiate our vacation daydreams. But if you’re like me and live in Chicago, you don’t need to go anywhere to feel like you’re on vacation; there are countless things to do in Chicago for little or no cost, making it one of the best cities in the country to enjoy a staycation.
Lincoln Park Zoo
First things first: the Lincoln Park Zoo is open and FREE every day of week. This “world of wildlife in the shadow of skyscrapers” is the only zoo located within Chicago’s city limits, just minutes from downtown. It’s home to nearly 1,250 animals, including polar bears, penguins, gorillas, reptiles, and, my personal favorite, those little acrobatic monkeys. The Lincoln Park Zoo is perfect for a family outing, but for us city-dwelling nature-lovers, it’s a nice escape from the urban bustle.
Architecture River Cruise
At first glance, my initial thought was that this sounds awfully boring. Wrong. The Chicago Architectural Foundation’s (CAF) ninety-minute cruise along the Chicago River is visually majestic by itself—with the gleaming colonnade of colossal buildings dwarfing everything around them—yet, what sets this tour apart from others is the CAF-certified narrator who helps one gain an historical perspective of the more than fifty architecturally-significant sites. To make the trip more comfortable, there are both open-air and climate-controlled indoor seating, as well snacks and beverages available for purchase. The tour is $38 on weekdays, $40 on weekends, and well worth the price.
The Lakefront
There are over twenty-six miles of open, sprawling, and free Chicago lakefront for your enjoyment. Admittedly, the beaches are at their best during the summer months, but that doesn’t mean the shoreline views of Lake Michigan and Chicago’s formidable skyline aren’t stellar all year. Because the land all along the lake is a recreational area, there are plenty of free or low-cost things to do with any size crowd. For the active folks, there are basketball courts, bike trails, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, golf courses, and beach volleyball areas. For those looking to just relax or have a family picnic, there’s plenty of open beach and grass stretching along the lakefront with limited free parking daily. North Avenue Beach is a hotspot, but if you want some peace and quiet, your best bet is further north at Belmont Harbor, a great place to watch boats come and go.
Neighborhood Bike Tour
Ever live in a city for a while, but still feel unfamiliar with most of it? That’s the way I felt about Chicago until I went on Bobby’s Bike Hike. The best part about this funky bike tour is that it takes you away from the normal tourist attractions and explores some eclectic Chicago neighborhoods instead. On a comfortable cruiser-style bike, you’ll glide by Gold Coast Mansions, Oprah’s house, the Playboy Mansion, Lincoln Park Zoo, Old Town Historic District, North Avenue Beach, and the Lakefront. The guide we had was hilarious and informative. He stopped us periodically to give interesting historical anecdotes about where we were. Not a serious cyclist? Neither am I, but I had no problems. You won’t have to pedal like a speed demon—everything is designed for a biking novice. You travel in a pack and there are two employees watching your front and back to ensure your safety. The whole excursion lets you see the heart of Chicago in only three hours over seven miles. (So you’ll even burn a few calories while you take in the sites!) Prices range from $27 to $32 for adults depending on which tour you choose, $18 for kids under twelve, and $5 for kids under four. (Special tandem bikes are available for parents with kids.)
