Want the scoop on what there is to do in Chicago? Make the most of your time in Chicago with this fun list of Chicago Travel Tips!
So are you planning a trip to Chicago for some deep dish pizza and baseball fun? Or maybe you want to visit Chicago, but you really don’t know what there is to do? Oh we’ve got you covered here with the Best Activities, Places to Eat, and Things to Do in Chicago, Illinois!
Prepare to have the time of your life visiting Chicago… while staying on Budget!!
You’ve just stumbled across some epic trip planning inspiration with these must-read Chicago travel tips and tricks…
Related:
- How to Travel for Free or Cheap! {19 Budget Travel Hacks}
A special thanks to frugal friend Mary for sharing this beautiful Chicago skyline photo!
How To Visit Chicago On A Budget:
So You’re Planning a Trip to Chicago? To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Chicago Trip Fund’. Need to increase your travel fund stash? One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here’s my favorite trick for ramping up the vacation budget…
Easy Side Hustles to Save Money For Vacation
How to Get Cheap Flights To Chicago:
Wondering how to get cheap flights? My favorite trick is to load up on free mileage points and airline gift cards, then use them to dramatically cut the cost on airfare! I’ve scored so many free flights this way! Are you ready to start earning your free airlines miles and gift cards? Here’s what you need to do…
Best Travel Hacking Credit Cards! {How I Get FREE Flights and Hotel Nights}
35+ Southwest Airlines Hacks! {What To Know BEFORE You Fly}
25 American Airlines Flight Hacks {Weird Tricks Everyone Should Know}
23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks {Savvy Travel Hacking Ideas}
Where to Stay in and around Chicago:
Wondering How to Earn Free Hotel Nights for your next vacation? It’s so much easier than you think! Here’s how I travel the world and stay at nice hotels for FREE…
How to Earn Free Hotel Nights {7 Secret Tricks}
In addition to hotels, I also recommend staying at a VRBO when visiting Chicago to save BIG on your trip. VRBO has so many vacation rentals listed by owner, and they can be such a great way to find nice lodging that is way less expensive than the hotels. I’ve personally stayed at multiple VRBO’s, and loved every one. Not only were they often significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came fully stocked with convenient amenities that saved us SO much money!
Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO? These little known hacks will save you SO much money! Check this out…
How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO
Now keep reading for all the very best Chicago travel tips and things to do shared by myself and your frugal friends…
Chicago Travel Tips
Lorrie said: “I lived there for 18 months. There is a ton to do. Look into the Chicago Go Card. I thinks it provides the best savings, plus it includes your transportation. Definitely have to visit the Navy Pier.”
Joy said: “We live here, and the stuff I recommend are the museums (especially the Field Museum), Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier. Especially if you have kids!”
Andrea said: “Make sure you hit up Shedd Aquarium on Sunday morning as soon as it opens – no one else gets there until after lunch!! I LOVE going when it’s not crowded!”
Megan said: “Field Museum, Navy Pier, and don’t forget to eat the pizza! It’s yummy.”
Jennifer said: “Lincoln Park Zoo and Navy Pier!”
Chicago CityPass – Save Up To 50%!
Heather said: “Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Brookfield Zoo, the Bean/Millennium Park, American Girl Place, and Mag Mile.”
September said: “Museum of Science and Industry! Or a Blackhawks game!! ;)”
Amanda said: “Live here! Cubs Game at Wrigley, Mag Mile, Lakefront, and so many amazing restaurants. Museum of Science and Industry too.”
Rachel said: “Legoland!”
Lyza said: “The most important thing is to research all available avenues of “getting there”. When I rode Amtrak, I was able to take two kids, ages 15 and younger, for half price with a full fare adult. Love that! You can also check up to 3 bags (50 lbs each) per ticketed passenger. This saved me almost $1,000 when we took our vacation to Chicago, betwee the difference in airline fair versus train fair, ad not having to pay for all those baggage fees at the airport.”
Shelly said: “My daughters went to college in Chicago and live there still. I love going to visit. The Architectural Boat Tour on the river is fantastic (if the weather is warm!)”
Suzette said: “I’ve lived in Chicago my entire life! Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, the Planetarium, Navy Pier, North Ave Beach (Lincoln Park), Brookfield Zoo or Lincoln Park Zoo, go to a Cubs/White Sox/Bears/Bulls game, Millennium Park has tons of different sites that are cool, the Art Institute, Sky Deck in the Hancock Center is awesome, shopping down on Michigan Ave, visiting Northerly Island Park, and the Museum of Science and Industry.”
Sally said: “Chicago is my hometown, I’ve been gone 17 years. Suzette hit the nail on the head for sights. Then eat at Home Run Inn Pizza, Chicago Hot Dogs, Portillos Beef… so much good Chicago food I miss.”
Medieval Times Tips: Visit Medieval Times for an epic royal adventure! You can even celebrate your birthday there for FREE!
Inside Medieval Times! (tips and tricks)
Score Free Coffee at Starbucks! With so many things to do and explore all around Chicago… you just might be needing a caffeine fix and a snack! There are so many Starbucks locations all around town, so check this out…
Starbucks Money Saving Hacks
Jocelyn said: “Garrett’s Popcorn is THE best!!!”
Randi said: “Giordano’s Pizza and Portillos Italian Beef… also the Navy pier!”
Billie said: “Don’t forget Lou Malnati Pizza… we order online and ship to family for special occasions. They love it. Check out the summer festivals and Ravinia outdoor concerts.”
Renee said: “Original Gino’s East for pizza (we love it way better than Giordano’s), The Billy Goat Tavern (“Cheeborger, Cheeborger! No Coke! Pepsi!”) either Portillo’s or Superdawg for Chicago-style dogs, and you must Ride the L at least once!”
Barbara said: “Have lived 45 min. from Chicago my entire life, until 3 years ago. Sure do miss that AWESOME city. Navy Pier, Gino’s East for pizza, Ed Debevics for awesome burgers and a great time, and Maxwell Street for polish!”
Sue said: “Cheesecake factory :)”
How to Get a Free Cheesecake Factory Gift Card + 12 More Money Saving Tips!
Jen said: “My family of 4 went to Chicago a couple of years ago and I found out AFTER that we would have saved hundreds if we had been a member of our local museum. We bought the City Pass for each of us, but instead of paying $60/person it would have cost us about $85 for a membership AND we would have received some discounts for the gift shops. (The City Pass still saves over the full cost of admission, but not more than the membership.)
We have also gone “zoo hopping” on the way to and from visiting relatives. Again, with our zoo membership we get in for free or half-price to most zoos. Check ahead of time to be sure the zoos you are visiting are a part of your zoo’s group. If you are a zoo-loving family than a trip to the zoo is an all day adventure. We usually pack a lunch (even if it means stopping at a local grocery store and buying just enough meat, bread, and produce for the day).”
Lyza said: “I have a few things I do but the most important is to research all available avenues of “getting there”. Doing this has saved me hundreds if not thousands of dollars the past few years. It is how I rode Amtrak for the 1st time too. And did you know that 2 kids age 15 and younger ride at half price with a full fare adult? Love that! Or that you can check up to 3 bags (50 lbs each) per ticketed passenger gratis? This saved me almost $1,000 when we took our vacation to Chicago between the difference in airline fair versus train fair and not having to pay for all of those baggage fees at the airport.”
Amanda said: “Avoid the Kennedy Expressway at rush hour… That’s my only advice!”
Patti said: “Don’t forget to check out Lake Michigan… and how can you forget Sears Tower…. even though it’s now called Willis Tower. Us Chicagoans still call it Sears Tower!”
Lynnette said: “Navy Pier and Michigan Ave! And we skipped the Sears Tower and went to the Hancock Building–cheaper, shorter line and just as fun!!”
Mariela said: “Aww, I miss Chicago!!! My beautiful city! Museums, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Wrigley Field. Chicago is a great city!!! Try to go along the Lakefront Path for a very nice walk!”
Jim writes: “Look on Diners Drive-ins & Dives map for great spots to eat!”
More Chicago Money Saving Tips:
How to Travel for Free or Cheap {18 Brilliant Budget Travel Hacks}
Military Discounts for Travel
30 Eat Out Cheap Ideas! {How to Save Money Eating Out}
How To Ride Uber For Free and Get Free Uber Eats!
How To Save On Gas {20 Genius Hacks}
20 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars
What To Pack for Chicago:
Best Baby Travel Gear
Traveling with Baby? Don’t leave home without these Baby Travel Gear Essentials! I’ve taken my babies on the long flights so many times and these must-have items will make traveling with Baby so much easier!
19 Carry On Must Haves for your next flight
Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!
Now that you’ve scored these Chicago travel tips full of fun and creative ideas, are you ready to start dreaming of more fun travel destinations? Get dreaming with these fun ideas…
34 Minneapolis Travel Tips {Fun Things to See and Do}
71 Nashville Travel Tips You Never Thought Of!
20 Montana Travel Tips! {Family Vacation Ideas}
30 Yellowstone NP Travel Tips You Need to Try
35 Denver Travel Tips {The Best Things To Try Right Now}
75 Best Things to Do in Phoenix Arizona
37 Washington D.C. Travel Tips You Need to Know!
38 New York City Budget Travel Tips for Your Epic BIG Apple Adventure!
36 Fun Things To See And Do In Philadelphia
34 Ways To Entertain Kids On A Trip
20 Road Trip Must Haves for your next Vacation
Top 10 Romantic Honeymoon Destinations
14 Ultimate Beach Getaways {plan your perfect beach vacation}
10 Winter Family Vacation Ideas! {Top Destinations}
10 Most Spectacular National Parks you NEED to Visit!
101 Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets
So don’t miss out! Get all the latest fun new Frugal Girls Travel Tips, Recipes + more…
So… have YOU every been to Chicago before?
Make this Free Chicago Travel Guide even better by sharing some of your favorite places to see, things to do, restaurants to eat at, etc!
Leave a comment & share!
Robert Donis says
take it from a lifer. Take a day downtown, a day at the museums, then go check out the neighborhoods. Wicker Park, Ukrainian and east Ukrainian village, Pilsen, lincoln square, Andersonville, etc. you’ll get a real feel for how the neighborhood people live, and you’ll get some big city ethnic culture as well. It’s a city you won’t see in a single visit, but that’ll give you a good taste of everything it has to offer. Obviously go to the lake. But I recommend getting out of the normal tourist traps.
Jackie says
Lou Malanati’s Pizza is a must!!! The best pizza ever. 😊
Lisa says
Grew up about an hour from Chicago and my hubby went to grad school there….so many fun things to do! Last time we were there we tried the “Al Capone” walking tour to try something a little different. As far as restaurants go…can’t beat Gino’s East….Purple Pig is also a good one to try!
Ronni says
I live here. 🙂 If you like ghosts, I suggest the Chicago Hauntings Ghost Tour. It runs for two hours and you’re taken all over the city to haunted sites. You’ll learn a lot about Chicago’s history and get a nice tour of the city to boot. 🙂
Jessica says
I am in love with Chicago. Kingston Mines is a great blues club everyone should go to at least once!