Free Things to Do

Free Things to Do

It's easy to spend money in the big city: think shopping, museum-entrance fees, restaurants, theater. But if you'd like to put your wallet away for a while, here are some of our favorite options.

Free Art

The City Gallery (806 N. Michigan Ave. 312/742-0808) in the Historic Water Tower hosts rotating exhibits of Chicago-theme photography.

Five different galleries showcase contemporary visual art by local artists at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St. 312/744-6630. www.cityofchicago.org).

Free Concerts

Free jazz and classical concerts are performed Monday through Wednesday and Friday at 12:15 in the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St. 312/744-6630. www.cityofchicago.org).

Free Movies

Every Tuesday night in summer, Grant Park shows classic films at sundown on a giant screen. The films tend to be popular, so go early, spread out a blanket, and have a picnic a couple hours beforehand. There's even a free bike valet. Local library branches and parks also have free movies -- check the city's Web site for details.

Free Dance Lessons

Learn to swing, polka, step, waltz, and salsa to the beat of a live band in Grant Park during the summer-long Chicago SummerDance Festival. Chicagoans of all ages and abilities sashay around the dance floor during the lessons and the free dancing afterward. For more information, see www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Free Fireworks

Every Wednesday and Saturday night in summer, Navy Pier puts on a showy display of colorful explosives. Watch from the pier or along the waterfront opposite Buckingham Fountain.

Free Trolley Rides

A free trolley circles downtown attractions like the museums and Navy Pier every 20 minutes until 9 PM on weekdays and 11 PM on weekends. For more information, call 877/244-2444.

Free Improv

The world-famous Second City comedy troupe has a free improv set following the last performance every night but Friday. For more information, go to www.secondcity.com or call 312/337-3992.

Free Museum Days

Always Free

Smart Museum

Sunday:

DuSable Museum of African American History

Monday:

Chicago Children's Museum (for those 15 and younger the first Monday of each month)

Tuesday:

Swedish American Museum Center (second Tuesday each month)

Thursday:

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Free TV-Show Tickets

Oprah Winfrey and Jerry Springer tape their shows in front of live audiences in Chicago. Though tickets are free, they are at a premium and must be reserved far in advance. Oprah's shows are filmed at Harpo Studios (1058 Washington St. 312/591-9222 for tickets. www.oprah.com). The Jerry Springer Show is filmed at NBC Tower (454 N. Columbus Dr. 312/321-5365. www.jerryspringertv.com).

Sightseeing Walks

That Great Street

The Loop -- defined by the oval created by the El tracks -- is the heart of downtown, and the heart of downtown is State Street. Begin at the south end of the Michigan Avenue Bridge, with your back to the Chicago Tribune's Gothic tower. Walk west along the river past Marina City's iconic corn-cob towers, perhaps taking the stairs down to the Riverwalk for a drink at one of the cafés. Once you're back to street level, make a left on State Street, cruising by the famous Chicago Theatre sign that marks the beginning of the theater district. Window-shop at local landmarks Carson Pirie Scott (now closed) and Marshall Field's, which is now Macy's.

Zootopia

In two hours on a beautiful day you can breeze through the Lincoln Park Zoo, stroll beside the park's lagoons, and explore the quaint, upscale neighborhood of Old Town. Beginning on North Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, walk north through the park next to the lagoons. Watch the crew shells try to navigate past the fishing lines, or throw a line into the stocked lagoon yourself. Take your time through the zoo or the Lincoln Park Conservatory and then circle west to Wells Street, where the Second City improv troupe's theater and a host of tony shops and restaurants line bricked streets.