Chicago is known for being cold and windy, and of course known for deep-dish pizza. Let's find out what else this city has to offer while staying on a budget!
This popular city has so much to offer! Chicago has amazing parks, nice beaches, sports and art venues, museums, iconic food, a beautiful skyline, and spectacular views of Lake Michigan! Taking a look at all the parks in Chicago, it's not surprising the city earned the honor of being the 11th best city in the country for its parks. The official motto is Urbs in Horto, Latin for "City in a Garden." Visitors will be happy to discover that many of the most beloved and touristy spots in Chicago can be enjoyed for free! A few popular beaches include Montrose Beach, Ohio Street Beach, Oak Street Beach, and North Avenue Beach. The other popular places to take a stroll and take in the beauty and get a view of some of the stunning high-rise buildings of the windy city are the Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile, and Navy Pier.
Chicago And The Great Outdoors
A list of a few very popular parks to check out while in Chicago are Grant Park, Lincoln Park, Millennium Park, and Maggie Daley Park. Throughout the summer months, there are numerous free concerts, events, and festivals within the various parks in Chicago. The Taste of Chicago is the largest free outdoor festival in the nation! Millennium Park has the famous Cloud Gate or The Bean, one of the city's most famous icons. This park has become one of the top ten tourist destinations in the United States.
The other must-see attraction is the Buckingham Fountain located at the center of Grant Park. The fountain represents Lake Michigan, with four sets of sea horses symbolizing the four states - Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana that border the lake. It is one of the largest fountains in the world and maybe some people consider it to be one of the most beautiful fountains in the world.
Must-See Museums
It will be a challenge to decide which museums to see during your visit! Chicago has 56 museums and they are all very impressive and unique. The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the United States. As of 2017, it has been recognized as the 35th most visited art museum in the world.
The Field Museum is recognized as one of the largest and best museums in the world, and another popular museum is the Adler Planetarium, which was America's first Planetarium. It also offers some amazing views of the skyline! Which museum(s) a visitor decides to invest their time and money on is definitely a matter of personal taste and interest. Various museums offer discounts in addition to free admission days throughout the year, so it's definitely worth planning ahead to take advantage of the best deals while you are visiting the city.
Chicago Food Favorites
Chicago is associated with street food, deep-dish pizza, the Chicago-style hot dog, and the Italian beef sandwich. Those are just a few budget-friendly options while visiting Chicago. Whatever type of cuisine you are craving, Chicago is sure to have it! Chicago is a city that deserves to be on everyone's list of must-see cities in the United States, with so many wonderful places to experience while staying on a budget!