Lonely PlanetJul 23
How to visit Chicago on a budget
A trip to Chicago can pack in endless art, architecture, culture, food and city sights without busting your budget.
known as 'Little Saigon' for Thai and Vietnamese food
25 things in this story
- Art Institute of ChicagoMuseumfree sculpture gardens and third-floor terrace
- Millennium ParkParkhosts Saturday yoga and summer evening concerts
- Cloud GatePublic artworkiconic sculpture in Millennium Park
- Lincoln Park ZooZoohear lions roar and watch apes swing
- Wrigley FieldSighthome of the Cubs
- UptownNeighborhoodknown as 'Little Saigon' for Thai and Vietnamese food
- HI-ChicagoHostelstalwart hostel in the heart of downtown
- Wrigley HostelHostelhostel steps from Wrigley Field
- Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N LoopHotelin the 1928 art deco Chicago Motor Club Building
- Best Western Hawthorne TerraceHotelstately 1920s Federal-style building in Lake View
- Ray's Bucktown B&BHoteltop choice with cooked-to-order breakfast
- Hotel RIU Plaza ChicagoHotelstylish newcomer in a sleek 28-story tower
- Chicago Architecture CenterMuseumoffers a 90-minute river cruise
- WendellaFerry terminaloffers a 45-minute guided tour
- Chicago Water TaxiPlaceoffers skyscraper views
- Rate FieldSighthome of the White Sox
- Second CityTheatrelegendary comedy venue
- iO TheaterSightChicago improv institution
- Chicago Cultural CenterSightfeatures free art exhibitions and Tiffany dome
- Art on the MartSightlight show transforming the Mart building
- Lincoln Park ConservatorySightenjoy exotic blooms
- Buddy Guy's LegendsRestaurantcatch a free electric blues set
- National Museum of Mexican ArtMuseumpremier Latinx art institution
- PilsenNeighborhoodneighborhood with Mexican bakeries and taquerias
- ChinatownNeighborhoodoffers bakeries and dim sum places
