Although this winter hasn’t been as bad as previous years (so far), Chicago’s cold months can make anyone a little antsy. Lucky for us, there are many great museums, libraries and indoor recreational facilities throughout the city. If you’re looking to enjoy a day out of the house on the cheap, below are some of our favorite free things to do in Chicago when it’s too cold to spend the day outside.
One of the most popular free attractions any time of the year, the Lincoln Park Zoo’s indoor exhibits are a great way to stay warm while checking out some amazing animals. From apes to lions to sloths and birds, you’ll have plenty to take in.
If you’re willing to brave the elements, the Lincoln Park Zoo also has ice skating available through February 28 for only $5, with skate rental costing an additional $5. Other winter activities include a family sleepover with the animals and “Wine & Wildlife”, where zoo vets give an informative talk, with wine, about innovative cardiac care for chimpanzees.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is located at 2001 N Clark Street. The zoo is open every day from 10 am – 4:30 pm. Find out more about the zoo at www.lpzoo.org. Learn more about ice skating and other events at www.lpzoo.org/events.
You could spend an afternoon just exploring the architecture of the beautiful Chicago Cultural Center building. It includes two stained glass domes, including the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome. The Chicago Cultural Center hosts many free music, dance, theater and art events, as well as events for families.
The Chicago Cultural Center is located at 78 E Randolph in downtown Chicago. Click here to learn more.
If you’re anxious to smell some flowers and walk through a garden, the Garfield Park Conservatory is the place to go. With eight indoor display houses featuring exotic plants, you’re bound to enjoy yourself as you stroll through the conservatory. There’s even a children’s garden with larger-than-life plants and flowers for kids to enjoy.
The Garfield Park Conservatory also holds many programs and events for children and adults, including a “Beginning Beekeeping” class and an “Urban Chicken Keeping” class.
The Garfield Park Conservatory is located at 300 N Central Park Avenue. It is open daily from 9 am – 5 pm and 8 pm on Wednesdays. Learn more about the conservatory and their programs at www.garfieldconservatory.org.
Want to enjoy some nostalgia on a cold winter day? You can play vintage arcade games at Headquarters Beercade in Lakeview. Games include Ms. Pac Man, Joust, NBA Jam, Contra, Donkey Kong and many, many more. If you’re a pinball fan, they have lots of pinball machines as well.
You’re bound to have a fun time reliving your youth at Headquarters. Their menu includes a wide array of craft beers and cocktails as well.
Headquarters is located at 2833 N Sheffield in Lakeview. Their River North location is located at 213 W Institute Place. You can view their full list of games and menu at www.hqbeercade.com.
The University of Chicago’s Smart Museum of Art is always free and open to the public. The museum includes short-term exhibitions, as well as the ongoing modern, asian, european, and contemporary art exhibitions.
The museum also holds regular programs and events for adults, children, families and teachers. Almost all of these programs and events are also free.
The Smart Museum of Art is located at 5550 S Greenwood Avenue on the University of Chicago campus. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. On Wednesdays they are open until 8 pm. Learn more about the museum at smartmuseum.uchicago.edu. Click here to view their programs and events calendar.
