![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/chicago-river-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Where To Stay In Chicago On A Budget<\/h2>\n
Chicago is made up of 178 official neighborhoods, all as vibrant and diverse as the next. The most popular neighborhoods to stay in and explore in Chicago are the most central:<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Loop<\/li>\n
- River North \/ Streeterville <\/li>\n
- Gold Coast<\/li>\n
- Old Town<\/li>\n
- Lincoln Park<\/li>\n
- Lakeview \/ Wrigleyville<\/li>\n
- West Loop<\/li>\n
- Wicker Park<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The highest concentration of hotels is within the Loop, River North, Gold Coast, and West Loop. Gold Coast and West Loop hotels are the most expensive, while The Loop and River North have a wide range of budget options.<\/p>\n
Some of the best affordable hotel options in Chicago are:<\/p>\n
Budget Chicago Hotels<\/h3>\n
- \n
- The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago<\/a> – Located close to Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Riverwalk, this luxury hotel has 752 rooms, including studio suites, executive suites, king rooms and queen rooms – making it an ideal place to stay for families and groups of friends.<\/li>\n
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Riverwalk<\/a> – Within a five-minute walk from this hotel you could be at the Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park. This centrally located hotel is a great option for exploring this city.<\/li>\n
- Hotel Felix<\/a> – Situated close to Holy Name Cathedral and Chicago Water Tower, this hotel is a great budget option for a stay in the city. The hotel offers guests the use of a 24-hour health facility and also has a bar in the lobby.<\/li>\n
- Freehand Chicago<\/a> – With a range of rooms from four-bedroom dorms to private female dorms and king rooms, this is an excellent option for a group stay in the city. The hotel also has an onsite restaurant, a bar, and a 24-hour gym.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Mid-Range Chicago Hotels<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Chicago Athletic Association Hotel<\/a> – This 4.5-star hotel is located just two minutes from Millennium Park and offers rooms with park views. Additionally, the hotel features a rooftop terrace, a coffee shop, and two onsite restaurants.<\/li>\n
- LondonHouse Chicago<\/a> – A 4.5-star hotel featuring two bars, a terrace, two on-site restaurants, and a spa. The 452 rooms are equipped with premium bedding and all the necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.<\/li>\n
- Eurostars Magnificent Mile<\/a> \u2013 This hotel has a luxurious ambiance and features high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets. Where is the best place to lay your head?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Luxury Chicago Hotels<\/h3>\n
If you are looking to splurge on a nice hotel, here are some great luxury hotel options in Chicago:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Virgin Hotels Chicago<\/a> \u2013 For an ideal getaway, look no further than this venue with two restaurants and a nightclub.<\/li>\n
- JW Marriott Chicago<\/a> -This hotel features suites and city-view rooms that accommodate two to five guests. In addition to its onsite Italian restaurant, the hotel also offers a spa to unwind and relax with your friends.<\/li>\n
- The St Regis Chicago<\/a> – Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, this hotel offers a luxurious stay just steps away from Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue.<\/li>\n
- Langham Hotel<\/a> – This luxurious 5-star hotel boasts 316 distinctively decorated rooms, including suites that can accommodate up to four guests and club view rooms. Certain rooms also offer stunning views of the river and the city.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
House rentals via AirBnB or VRBO may be more cost-effective if traveling with a group. Home rentals are a great way to stay in a neighborhood that doesn\u2019t have as many hotels and experience Chicago like a local. You can also check out our guide to the best Airbnbs and vacation rentals in Chicago<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Chicago-Lincoln-Park-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBest Tours To Take In Chicago<\/h2>\n
Chicago offers a variety of enjoyable tours for exploring the area, taking to the water and visiting natural wonders. Here are five great options:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Enjoy a 1.5-hour architecture cruise<\/a> with a comprehensive tour with a live, fun guide as you navigate through the city’s heart, covering all three branches of the Chicago River.<\/li>\n
- Visit the Chicago Observation Deck<\/a> with a skip-the-ticket purchase desk to enjoy the best panoramic views of Chicago, 94 stories above the Windy City.<\/li>\n
- Spend the morning or afternoon exploring the city with your girls on a hop-on hop-off bus tour<\/a>, allowing you to stop at different attractions in the city or enjoy drinks at different bars.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Chicago-Millenium-Park.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Best Affordable Restaurants In Chicago<\/h2>\n
Chicago is known for its culinary prowess. It\u2019s easy to find cuisine from every culture represented in Chicago\u2019s food scene. There is also a range of budget options. Although Chicago is home to some of the most expensive fine dining restaurants in the country \u2013 a three Michelin star meal at Alinea will run you $500+ per person \u2013 there are also endless affordable options for delicious meals on a budget in Chicago.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Green Street Smoked Meats<\/a> (West Loop)<\/li>\n
- Athenian Room<\/a> (Lincoln Park)<\/li>\n
- Tanuki Sushi (BYOB)<\/a> (Lakeview)<\/li>\n
- 90 Miles Cuban Cafe (BYOB)<\/a> (Logan Square)<\/li>\n
- Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba<\/a> (Lincoln Park or River North)<\/li>\n
- Small Cheval<\/a> (Various Locations)<\/li>\n
- Pasta Palazzo<\/a> (Lincoln Park)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"beers](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/chicago-bar-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n11 Free Things To Do In Chicago<\/h2>\n
1) Lincoln Park Zoo<\/h3>\n
The Lincoln Park Zoo<\/a> is open 365 days a year and is completely free for anyone to visit. Hundreds of animal species live within the 49-acre zoo in the heart of Chicago\u2019s most beloved park. The zoo is the perfect stop between window shopping on Armitage and hitting the Lakefront Trail. When your tired legs need a reprieve, head to the Patio at Cafe Brauer<\/a> for refreshments with a view.<\/p>\n
In addition to getting up close and personal with exotic animals, the zoo puts on various seasonal festivals throughout the year, making it worth a visit no matter when you\u2019re traveling to Chicago. From holiday Zoo Lights to Autumn Fall Feast and even a Craft Brew at the Zoo ticketed night, there is always something to do at the zoo.<\/p>\n
2) Garfield Park Conservatory<\/h3>\n
Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the best free things to do in Chicago on a cold or rainy day<\/a>. Although there is no entrance fee, reservations are required to be booked in advance through the Garfield Park Conservatory website<\/a>. Suppose your fringe season weather is unseasonably cold. Head indoors to enjoy the flora and fauna at Garfield Park Conservatory. As you talk through the five unique houses, you can be quickly transported from a desert oasis to a tropical paradise. <\/p>\n
3) Chicago Parks<\/h3>\n
With over 580 parks and 8,300 acres of green space, Chicago has been coined a city in a garden.<\/i> From beaches to bike paths, gardens to parks, there are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n
Grant Park, Millennium Park, and Maggie Daley Park<\/h4>\n
The 319 acres of lakefront greenspace are home to many summer festivals, most notably the annual Lollapalooza music festival. Hop on bikes to explore the vast park, nicknamed Chicago\u2019s front yard. Be sure to stop at Buckingham Fountain, the iconic landmark at the center of the park.<\/p>\n
Millennium Park sits just north of Grant Park. The adjacent park draws millions of visitors yearly to snap pictures in front of Cloud Gate, commonly known as The Bean.<\/p>\n
On the east side of the park is Maggie Daley Park, the recreational heart of Millennium Park. It features a rock climbing wall, an expansive playground, and a multi-season skating ribbon.<\/p>\n
Lincoln Park<\/h4>\n
Lincoln Park is the green space that gives the surrounding neighborhood its name. While the downtown parks draw tourists, Lincoln Park is a local favorite. You could spend an entire day doing free things in Lincoln Park.<\/p>\n
Check out a few of our favorite stops in Lincoln Park:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Lincoln Park Zoo<\/li>\n
- Lincoln Park Conservatory<\/li>\n
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool<\/li>\n
- North Pond and the Honeycomb<\/li>\n
- North Avenue Beach<\/li>\n
- Green City Farmers Market<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Oz Park<\/h4>\n
Oz Park earns its name from the Wizard of Oz statues donned on each corner of this 13-acre neighborhood park. The park\u2019s homage to the book\u2019s author extends through the Emerald Garden and Dorothy\u2019s Playlot, one of the few wooden playlots in Chicago. Tennis courts are packed in warm months and baseball fields are dotted with little league players.<\/p>\n
The 606<\/h4>\n
The 606 is an elevated greenspace that connects the western neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park, and Bucktown over a converted railway track. Although officially named the Bloomingdale trail, locals have coined the 2.7-mile path The 606, a nod to the first digits in every Chicago zip code.<\/p>\n
4) Chicago Cultural Center<\/h3>\n
Chicago Cultural Center is a year-round option when looking for free things to do in Chicago. The city landmark is located in the Loop directly across from Millenium Park, making it an easy add-on to an afternoon in the park.<\/p>\n
The landmark initially served as the first Chicago Public Library, built in grandeur to illustrate Chicago\u2019s elevated city status. The building is renowned for its architectural beauty. Its Tiffany dome is considered the largest in the world, constructed of 30,000 individual glass pieces.<\/p>\n
The building features rotating exhibitions and free performances and events<\/a>. Free guided tours are offered every Thursday and Friday at 1:15pm on first come, first served availability.<\/p>\n
5) Summer Street Festival <\/h3>\n
Chicago streets come alive in the summer as festivals take over different neighborhoods each weekend. While many street fests have a suggested donation at the entrance, it is an optional fee. All festivals that take place on city-owned streets are required to be free to enter. Street festivals feature a range of local vendors and artists and often culminate with free concerts each night. Stop by for live music and cheap eats as you take in one of the best free things to do in Chicago in the summer.<\/p>\n
Some of our favorite free Chicago street festivals include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Lincoln Park Greek Fest<\/a> (May 31 \u2013 June 2, 2024) <\/li>\n
- Old Town Art Fair<\/a> (June 10 \u2013 June 11, 2024)<\/li>\n
- Wicker Park Fest<\/a> (Jul 26 \u2013 Jul 28, 2024)<\/li>\n
- Taste of Lincoln Avenue<\/a> (Jul 26 \u2013 Jul 28, 2024)<\/li>\n
- Retro on Roscoe<\/a> (Aug 9\u2009\u2013\u2009Aug 11, 2024)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
6) Free Movies in the Park<\/h3>\n
One of Chicago\u2019s most beloved summer traditions for families is back in 2024 for its twenty-second year. Throughout the summer, the Chicago Park District hosts Movies in the Parks<\/a> at various parks across the city. Movies range from feel-good nostalgia to family films and Hollywood classics.<\/p>\n
Check the Chicago Park District website<\/a> for the latest schedule.<\/p>\n
7) The Riverwalk <\/h3>\n
The Chicago Riverwalk was completed as an award-winning pedestrian walkway in 2016. The 1.25-mile footpath follows the river from Michigan Avenue to Lake Street, with access points at most major intersections along the river. Look for the arched signs indicating staircase access to the footpath.<\/p>\n
While architecture tours and boat rentals come at a cost, the riverwalk is free to roam on a self-guided tour of Chicago. Some companies offer free walking tours if you\u2019re interested in the history and architectural anecdotes without the cost of the boat tour.<\/p>\n
The Riverwalk is dotted with restaurants and outposts to stop for a refreshment along the way. In summer months, boats dock for a drink at City Winery while kayakers paddle the perimeter of the river. The Riverwalk is a canvas for local art installations, the most prominent being Art on theMART<\/a>. An inspiring display of digital art is projected on the riverside facade of the Merchandise Mart nightly starting in April.<\/p>\n
8) Free Concerts at Millenium Park<\/h3>\n
Millennium Park hosts a free concert series in the picturesque Pritzker Pavilion each summer. Bring a folding chair or grab a blanket from your hotel to lay on the lawn. Drinks are available at concession stands in the park. If you\u2019re on a budget, bring your own dinner and drinks for a picnic in the park. The diverse range of artists offers a perfect soundtrack to watch the sunset on the iconic Chicago skyline. <\/p>\n
9) Lakefront Trail <\/h3>\n
On a beautiful day in Chicago, locals flock to the lakefront. The 18-mile path features dual bike and pedestrian pathways that hug the expansive Lake Michigan coastline. For the best views of the Chicago skyline, walk from Theater on the Lake south to North Avenue Beach. <\/p>\n
To find the nearest access and ensure a safe crossing of Lake Shore Drive, save the handy Lakefront Trail Map<\/a> from Chicago Park District.<\/p>\n
10) Free Museum Days<\/h3>\n
You\u2019ll pay entrance fees to Chicago\u2019s most popular museums on most days of the year. Once a month, many museums allow free admission for Illinois residents. If you are traveling to Chicago from within the state, check museum websites for upcoming free admission days. <\/p>\n
- \n
- Illinois Holocaust Museum<\/a>: Free to all visitors the last Friday of every month <\/li>\n
- Field Museum<\/a>: Free every Wednesday for Illinois residents <\/li>\n
- Art Institute of Chicago<\/a>: Free for Illinois residents every Monday, Thursday and Friday. Always free for children under 14.<\/li>\n
- Adler Planetarium<\/a>: Free for Illinois residents every Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m. <\/li>\n
- Chicago Children\u2019s Museum<\/a>: Free for everyone on the last Thursday of each month <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you are visiting friends or relatives in Chicago, you may be able to score free museum passes through the Chicago Public Library. <\/p>\n
11) Free Events and Workouts at Wrigley Field<\/h3>\n
Gallagher Way is directly adjacent to the iconic Wrigley Field. When the Cubs are in town, Gallagher Way is free to enter for game ticket holders and is a great insider secret to kickstart your day at Wrigley Field<\/a>. <\/p>\n
When the Cubs are away, Gallagher Way puts on a rotating series of events<\/a>. Events range from winter markets and ice skating in the winter to concerts and movies throughout the summer. On summer mornings, stop by for free workout classes at Gallagher Way. From yoga to boot camps, start your day sweating under the legendary shadows of Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Chicago_Art_Institute.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen To Visit Chicago For The Best Rates<\/h2>\n
Chicago is known for its harsh winters and Windy City misnomer, so it\u2019s no surprise you\u2019ll find the cheapest flights and accommodations in Chicago during the coldest months. While there are plenty of things to do indoors in Chicago, the best time to visit is late spring to early fall.<\/p>\n
Flight and hotel prices peak in Chicago from June to September, when average weather is consistently in the 70s or higher. To take advantage of mild weather without the peak pricing, plan your trip to Chicago during the fringe months of April, May, and early October.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Chicago-Lakefront-Trail.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow To Get To Chicago On A Budget<\/h2>\n
O\u2019Hare is synonymous with Chicago thanks to its feature in Home Alone. When booking flights to Chicago, expand your search to include Chicago O\u2019Hare (ORD) and Chicago Midway (MDW). Midway is a smaller airport on the southwest side of the city. Many budget airlines offer direct flights into Midway, so you may be able to score cheaper flights on Southwest, Spirit, or Frontier.<\/p>\n
Another way Chicago stands out from New York and L.A. is the airport\u2019s train connection to the city. Depending on your final destination and traffic conditions, an Uber or Lyft from either airport into the city can cost anywhere from $35 to $75. If you\u2019re getting to Chicago on a budget, a one-way trip on Chicago\u2019s \u2018El\u2019 train will cost $5 from O\u2019Hare on the Blue Line or $3 from Midway on the Orange Line.<\/p>\n
Although the Blue and Orange Lines are relatively safe, please be aware of your surroundings and use caution if traveling alone. Avoid taking the trains and opt for a ride share if you\u2019re traveling late at night.<\/p>\n
![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Chicago_Downtown_View.jpg\")
<\/p>\nChicago On A Budget Wrap Up<\/h2>\n
One of the best parts of Chicago is its diversity. That diversity shines through in its people, neighborhoods, food scene, and range of things to do at every budget. By taking advantage of cheap and free things to do, you can enjoy the best of the city while traveling to Chicago on a budget.<\/p>\n
\nWe hope that this article has inspired you to visit Chicago. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our<\/i><\/b> Contribute Page<\/a> <\/i><\/b>for guidelines and to submit your article.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
\n - Field Museum<\/a>: Free every Wednesday for Illinois residents <\/li>\n
- Old Town Art Fair<\/a> (June 10 \u2013 June 11, 2024)<\/li>\n
- Lincoln Park Greek Fest<\/a> (May 31 \u2013 June 2, 2024) <\/li>\n
- Athenian Room<\/a> (Lincoln Park)<\/li>\n
- Visit the Chicago Observation Deck<\/a> with a skip-the-ticket purchase desk to enjoy the best panoramic views of Chicago, 94 stories above the Windy City.<\/li>\n
- JW Marriott Chicago<\/a> -This hotel features suites and city-view rooms that accommodate two to five guests. In addition to its onsite Italian restaurant, the hotel also offers a spa to unwind and relax with your friends.<\/li>\n
- LondonHouse Chicago<\/a> – A 4.5-star hotel featuring two bars, a terrace, two on-site restaurants, and a spa. The 452 rooms are equipped with premium bedding and all the necessary amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.<\/li>\n
- Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Downtown Riverwalk<\/a> – Within a five-minute walk from this hotel you could be at the Chicago Riverwalk and Millennium Park. This centrally located hotel is a great option for exploring this city.<\/li>\n
- The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago<\/a> – Located close to Michigan Avenue and the Chicago Riverwalk, this luxury hotel has 752 rooms, including studio suites, executive suites, king rooms and queen rooms – making it an ideal place to stay for families and groups of friends.<\/li>\n