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.
offers a 90-minute river cruise
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 TheaterTheatreChicago improv institution
- Chicago Cultural CenterArts centrefeatures free art exhibitions and Tiffany dome
- Art on the MartSightlight show transforming the Mart building
- Lincoln Park ConservatorySightenjoy exotic blooms
- Buddy Guy's LegendsNightclubcatch a free electric blues set
- National Museum of Mexican ArtMuseumpremier Latinx art institution
- PilsenQuarterneighborhood with Mexican bakeries and taquerias
- ChinatownNeighborhoodoffers bakeries and dim sum places