Summer Freebies

The bad news is that the economy is still pretty rotten.  The good news is that weather in Chicago is (dare we say it?) finally starting to take a turn for the better. Just because you're a little low on funds doesn't mean you can't enjoy summer in the city; it just takes a little creativity and planning to find the inexpensive – or better yet – free things to do.  Here are a few the City of Chicago has rounded up as part of their Explore Chicago – Take a Neighborhood Vacation campaign:

1) Visitors can drop by the Hyde Park Art Center on Saturdays from June 6 – Sept. 26 for a free one-hour walking tour with a volunteer guide from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hyde Park has new popularity as President Barack Obama's neighborhood and is also home to the University of Chicago and one of Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. Visits are on a first come, first served basis, and no reservations are needed.
 
2) Explore Chicago neighborhoods with scavenger hunts; different hunts will lead to answers about museums, galleries, restaurants, boutiques and parks. A grand prize will go to a randomly selected contestant who completes all the hunts, has online photos to prove it and answers all questions correctly.  Hunts will be available online this summer. 
 
3) Celebrate Millennium Park's fifth birthday with a visit to the Family Fun Tent from July 13 – 19.  Find out about Chicago's multicultural communities and join in hands-on activities led by artists from different parts of the city.

4) The Chicago Greeter Program, which shows visitors around the city, has only been available to new residents and visitors, but during the month of June, Chicago Greeter will be extending its service to Chicagoans. This is a great opportunity for locals to explore a neighborhood or interest area they have always wanted to learn about.
 
 5) Explore the history, development and wide range of Chicago gardening styles at Chicago Gardens: Past and Present, an exhibition at the Chicago Tourism Center, 72 East Randolph Street, from June 17-Aug. 16. Highlights of the exhibition include a look at the planning and growth of Millennium Park's Lurie Garden; public gardens in Chicago parks; the Garfield Park Conservatory; and photographs of private Chicago gardens.

Find great online discounts with the 2009 Chicago Guide to Special Values at www.explorechicago.org/coupons.
Follow city events on twitter at twitter.com/explorechicago or become a fan on Facebook bit.ly/chifacebook to get daily alerts on fun and free things to do in Chicago.
 

Leave Comments