Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a bustling metropolis boasting gorgeous architecture, diverse museums, and a picture-perfect skyline.

This city in Cook County has an attraction for every kind of traveler: from families, architecture enthusiasts, art junkies, nature lovers, and nightlife seekers.

Even better, you can plan a Chicago vacation without spending a fortune!

If you plan to visit Windy City for a weekend getaway, here are 25 free things to do in Chicago, Illinois.

Meet the Animals at Lincoln Park Zoo

Experience wildlife in the heart of Chicago at Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the few free-admission zoos in the country.

It is also the oldest zoo in North America, founded in 1868.

Take a zoo tour and rediscover the other creatures living on the planet.

Lincoln Park Zoo is home to around 1,100 animals from 200 species, including big cats, gorillas, reptiles, polar bears, and more.

Besides its diverse animals, the zoo houses over 2,000 plants from 1,200 species, including 100-year-old oak trees.

Watch Free Art Shows at the Chicago Cultural Center

Discover Chicago’s lively art and cultural scene at the Chicago Cultural Center.

The structure is a work of art featuring Neoclassical-Italian Renaissance elements, including two stunning Tiffany glass domes.

The Chicago Cultural Center holds thousands of programs, shows, and exhibitions, some of which you can watch for free.

Experience the beauty of Chicago’s art and architecture on a Preston Bradley Grand Hall tour and marvel at the glass domes.

Catch free dance performances, seminars, theater shows, film screenings, and musical concerts.

Take a Walk along the Chicago Riverwalk

Enjoy riverside views from the Chicago Riverwalk for a quintessentially Chicago experience.

The multi-use public space stretches six blocks between State Street and Lake Street, lined with shops, cafes, bars, small parks, and other exciting sights.

Go sightseeing along the Chicago Riverwalk and check out different works of art, take riverside photos, rest at one of the parks, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere.

Along your walk, pay respects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated to the Illinois residents who fought in the Vietnam War.

Visit at night and see how the…