Budget Travel
Goin’ Cheap in Chicago:
Don’t fret! Your trip to Chicago will not require a second mortgage if you take a little time to pre-plan. Goin’ Cheap in Chicago may not seem possible but there are so many things to do on a budget and several to do for FREE! Here are 5 ideas to get you started.
1. Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is free, all day, every day. It is not a huge zoo, but it is packed with all the great attractions that you find in the pricey bigger facilities. With the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo, Farm in the Zoo, and Regenstein African Journey areas there is plenty to do to fill a day. Make sure you grab a Visitor Guide on your way into the zoo. You will need it to make sure you don’t miss a thing! Petting areas, meet and greets with reptiles, the lion house, polar bears and rhinos all help make this a kid-favorite destination in downtown Chicago!
www.lpzoo.org
Parking will always be an issue in Chicago. It is not cheap! Parking at the zoo is a bit pricey so if you can add a couple of blocks to your day, on the Northwest Corner of the zoo campus sits the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Parking there is $12 for 24 hours. If you can’t get free street parking, this is your best bet.
2. Chicago Federal Money Museum
Another great FREE attraction is the Chicago Federal Money Museum in the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Here you can test your skills at picking the counterfeit money, see currency from nearly every era of our country, stand on $50,800 in change and even walk out with a bag of $300 of real money (the kids love that part). There are several exhibits to keep the kids involved. Oddly enough, this is a don’t miss! Parents keep in mind…you will go through security the same way you would in any airport so be prepared with photo id.
www.chicagofed.org/education/money_museum.cfm
Since this is in the financial district, parking here is very expensive. You might be better to take a bus here or walk a few blocks from the cheaper street parking. Otherwise, plan to spend around $20 for the parking garage.
3. Museums
This is where pre-planning comes in…All of the major museums that kids enjoy (Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium and the Chicago Children’s Museum) have free days throughout the year. Find them and go then…they are huge money savers on attractions that are key to your visit to Chicago!
All the museums have parking. It is not too expensive (around $20 for the day), but for the amount of time you will spend, it is pretty comparable to other areas in the city.
4. Beaches
For FREE summer fun, Of Course visit the beaches! While you are not on either coast, Chicago has a great set of beaches to play on for the day. Plus, you won’t get that yucky salt taste in your mouth (Lake Michigan is a fresh water lake)!
5. City Parks
Millennium Park has “The Bean” & Grant Park has Buckingham Fountain, two of the most famous landmarks in Chicago and you can wander by them for FREE as well. Check the city website for free movies in the parks during the summer months.
There are so many additional items to do for FREE in Chicago. Google “Free Chicago” and pick the ones that are suited to your family!
Small Fee Fun:
Have a little mad money? Here are some fun activities that have a minimal fee.
1. Navy Pier
Navy Pier is filled with things to do! Entrance to Navy Pier is free but there is a fee for nearly every activity there. The Ferris Wheel is not to be missed! $6/person but you get a great view of the skyline and Lake Michigan.
www.navypier.com/index.html
2. Eli’s Cheesecake Factory Tour
Eli’s Cheesecake Factory Tour is another fun event for little money. $3/person gets you an inside look at how this famous cheesecake is made. The tour is Monday – Friday at 1:00pm. No reservations are required!
www.elicheesecake.com
3. The Chicago Water Taxi
The Chicago Water Taxi is a fun way to get around the city. With fares starting at $2 even the tightest of budgets can swing this one!
www.chicagowatertaxi.com
Big Ticket Items:
Everyone is on a budget! Chicago is filled with ways to blow that budget out of the water so pick carefully.
1. The Sears Tower Skydeck
The most famous way to blow your budget is at The Sears Tower Skydeck (tickets start at $10.50/kids & $14.95/adults). However, the building is an icon. You won’t want to miss the new addition, The Ledge! They may be changing the name of the building, but one thing is still the same, that view! Take the time to add this stop in! No place else in America can you get that high off the ground in a building! If you are spending several days, look into the CityPass. It will save you big bucks!
www.theskydeck.com
3. The Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Company
Ok, this is not cheap. As a matter of fact, it is down right expensive! But, you have to think about it in a different way. The Hop On Hop Off Tour allows you to do just that, get off and on at 18 different stops in Downtown Chicago. If you plan your trip around the stops you DO NOT PAY PARKING while in Chicago. This tour can end up being FREE depending on how well you plan. Let’s say you are going to the Sears Tower, Shedd Aquarium, Michigan Ave to shop and the Navy Pier for the free fireworks at night. With an average parking rate of $18/stop you would have spent $72 for parking for those 4 stops. That is nearly the price of two 3-day adult tickets for the Trolley. (3-day tickets are $40.50/adult & $15/kid if bought online) Since you have the ticket for three days, you can take the Trolley to all of your activities and never pay a dime for parking. Plus, you get a FREE Chicago t-shirt, Hershey’s chocolate bar and sample bag of Garrett Popcorn…all things you would have probably bought anyway. With the Trolley you not only get a fun experience to remember with your family but you also have NO HASSLE of driving or parking! Everyone gets to enjoy the views of the city! And you might even save a few dollars on your overall budget!
http://www.coachusa.com/chicagotrolley/
