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10 Free Things To Do In Chicago

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

10 Free Things To Do In Chicago

10 Free Things to do in Chicago
Chicago Skyline

It’s always fun to find freebies while you’re traveling. Check out these 10 free things to do while you are in Chicago.

Things To Do In Chicago

Chicago Blues Festival – Grant Park at Jackson & Columbus

This is by far, one of my favorite events to go to in Chicago. It’s held every summer in Grant Park and it’s FREE! It runs for 3 days on 5 different stages, and features some of the best Blues Artists around!

Millenium Park – 201 E Randolph Street

Millenium Park features one of the most popular tourist attractions, commonly referred to as “The Bean”. Be sure to check out Lurie Garden, and the free concerts which are featured all summer long.

Lincoln Park Zoo – 2200 N Cannon Drive

Lincoln Park Zoo is open year round. The Zoo covers 35 acres and features more than 230 species of animals. It’s located between Lake Michigan and the high rise buildings of the city! They have featured events throughout the year, so be sure to check the schedule.

City Gallery At The Historic Water Tower – 806 N Michigan Ave

Check out the rotating work of local photographers and artists in the City Gallery. The Chicago Historic Water Tower is located along the Magnificent Mile.

Navy Pier – 600 E Grand Ave

Be sure to take a stroll along the pier’s boardwalk. Admission is free. On Wednesday and Saturday evenings in the summer, free fireworks are featured weekly.

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Museum of Contemporary Photography – 600 S Michigan Ave

One of the only museums in the area devoted exclusively to photography.

WFB First Friday ArtWalk  – 1579 North Milwaukee Ave

On the first Friday of every month explore two floors of art in the historic Flat Iron Arts Building. Resident artists, guest artists, impromptu performances, and refreshments are all a part of the celebration.

Chicago Botanic Garden – 100 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe

The Chicago Botanic Garden is open year round and a beautiful place to visit. There are 26 gardens and four natural areas to stroll through. The Garden is situated on 385 acres, with 6 miles of lake shoreline.

Tour A Brewery – 3340 N Kedzie Ave

Revolution Brewery offers 45 minute tours that include a tasting. They cap the tours at 30 people, so get there early! Tour schedule is listed on their website.

Free Music At The Empty Bottle – 1035 N Western Ave

Most Monday and Friday nights feature free music. Check the schedule on their website.


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Filed Under: Chicago Tagged With: 10 Free Things To Do In Chicago, Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Botanic Garden, City Gallery, Grant Park, Historic Chicago Water Tower, Lincoln Park Zoo, Millenium Park, Museum of Contemporary Photography, Navy Pier, Revolution Brewery, The Empty Bottle, WFB First Friday Art Walk

A Chicago Christmas

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

 Downtown Chicago Christmas

I had expected snow for my Chicago Christmas adventure, but instead it was a balmy 48 degrees! At first I was a bit disappointed, however, it was pretty nice walking around downtown Chicago and not freezing to death!

First stop was Macy’s… I was heading there with family to see the holiday window displays, the Great Christmas tree in the Walnut Room, and of course to see Santa!

Chicago Macy's State Street
Heading to Macy’s!

We skipped Santa… There was a two hour wait! I can’t imagine waiting in any line that long, especially with a child under two years old! We headed over to Christkindlmarket. It is an open-air market that features unique gifts, German food and drinks, and holiday entertainment.

Christkindlmarket in Chicago
Vendor at the Christmas Market

This place was packed! The people were squished inside like sardines… There was no chance we were getting a stroller through that crowd! Luckily there were a few vendors on the outside perimeter! It might be better to visit during the week. The crowds might be thinner!

Switching gears, we headed to Lincoln Park. We stopped in at Bricks Pizza. I had never been there before, but was drawn in by their sign. It said they were the best on earth! Could it be! I might live in Cali now, but this Chicago girl knows her pizza!

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Outside of Bricks Pizza
Best on Earth? I had to find out!

The atmosphere was great! We ordered our pizza, some beers, and waited to see if it was really the best.

Bricks Pizza Beer
Big beer at Bricks Pizza

It looked promising! And, it was good… But, I don’t believe it’s the best on Earth! I have definitely had better pizza in Chicago. Bricks has a great neighborhood bar, and it would be fun to go back again sometime for drinks.

Pizza at Bricks in Chicago
Good… But not best on Earth!

Our next stop was Lincoln Park Zoo. ZooLights was almost about to begin! This is a fun event for children and adults. The zoo is decorated with lights throughout the grounds, and there are many festive activities going on too!

Chicago skyline downtown
My kind of town Chicago is!

After a walk around the zoo, the light show began. I have to say, this was one of my favorite parts of the day. Well done Lincoln Park Zoo… Well done!

A peek at the light show. Click for video: ZooLights Chicago

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Filed Under: Chicago Tagged With: A Chicago Christmas, Bricks Pizza, Christkindlmarket, Downtown Chicago, Lincoln Park Zoo, Macy's, Walnut Room, ZooLights

Anderson Japanese Gardens

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Day Trip to the Japanese Gardens

While visiting family in the Chicago area, they recommended I visit  Anderson Japanese Gardens. It is a hidden gem in the middle of Rockford, IL.  If you are looking for a place to get away from it all, this is it.  It is such a tranquil, zenlike place to spend a couple of hours.

There are waterfalls, bridges, benches and multiple areas to relax. You have the option of joining a guided tour, or wandering about on your own.  I chose to wander!

Such great care has been taken in creating an authentic Japanese Garden.  They even have Koi fish in the ponds.  Everything was so green, including the the water. It reminded me of split pea soup!

Manipulated Reality is supported by readers. Product links on Manipulated Reality are referral links for things I like & believe you will too! Read more here.

Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature, travel
Garden Bridge
Travel, Day Trip, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Nature, Rockford IL, Chicago
Peaceful Garden
Travel, Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature, Koi fish
Koi Kiss
Travel, Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature
Ducks Eating
Trave, Day Trip, Chicago, Rockford IL, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Bridge, Nature
Ducks and Koi Fish

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Filed Under: Chicago Tagged With: Japanese Gardens

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