Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/Sandeep Pawar
Enjoy the city without spending a ton of cash by searching out cheap things to do in Chicago.
Between the best restaurants to try, swankiest bars to visit and events to attend, having a good time in Chicago can be expensive. However, there are still plenty of options for fun on a budget. Chicagoans have access to affordable museums around the city, creative activities that don’t break the bank and even a cat cafe. Here are some of the best cheap things to do in Chicago for under $25. And for even more cost-effective options, check out the best free things to do in Chicago.
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Cheap things to do in Chicago
1. Catch a show at the Empty Bottle
As one of the largest cities in the country, it’s almost guaranteed that most musicians will make a stop in Chicago while they’re on tour. Since 1992, the Empty Bottle has been one of the preferred places to catch rising acts, including early shows by bands like The Strokes and The Mountain Goats, as well as rare opportunities to see artists like Jack White in an intimate setting. The small dive bar’s stage offers a great opportunity to see live music up close and personal. All shows are 21 and up, and tickets to most shows are usually affordable. Plus, shows on Monday nights are usually free!
Price: Varies, usually less than $20
2. Explore architectural history on a Frank Lloyd Wright tour
Chicago is well-known as one of the great architecture cities in the world, but the architecture tours only go so far (specifically, the Loop). Beyond the gleaming skyscrapers, there are other structures that prove that Chicago is rightly-acclaimed for its architecture, including homes designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, especially the Robie House in Hyde Park. Glances of the exterior are free, of course, but tours of the historic house are only $20-$30, making it a budget-friendly way to explore one of the city’s most creatively-designed homes—an early example of Prairie School architecture.
Price: $20-$30
3. Catch a student show at the Second City
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