It doesn't matter how many museums or restaurants you've visited—there's always something new to discover in Chicago. One of the most satisfying things about city life is uncovering an interesting (and sometimes secret) way to get the most out of your day. Some of the time- and money-saving hacks that we've assembled might seem obvious to anyone who has lived in Chicago for an extended period of time, but they're still worth passing on. Want to spend your lunch break in Chinatown or have a comfortable commute to the Cubs game? These simple Chicago hacks could hold the answers you've been searching for.
Many local institutions occasionally offer free admission days, but a handful of Chicago museums are always free. Head to Block 37 to visit the Chicago Design Museum, check out work from contemporary artists at the DePaul Art Museum, travel to Evanston to explore the Block Museum of Art or see pieces created by Latino artists at the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Yes, the Red Line will take you to the doorstep of Wrigley Field on game day, but if you’re traveling from the Loop, you’re almost guaranteed to have to squeeze into a car that is uncomfortably crammed with fellow devotees. We recommend a more leisurely (and less crowded) journey to the Friendly Confines on the Brown Line: It will take you to the Southport station, which is just a half mile from the stadium. Spend a stress-free few blocks strolling to the Park before the umps frustrate you.
Once you've signed up for Chicago's CityKey municipal ID card (it's only $10), it acts just like any other state-issued identification with some extra perks. Flash your card and you'll get 20 percent off tickets to Chicago Sky games, one free admission to the Field Museum (during your first year as a cardholder), $2 off a regularly priced admission ticket to the Chicago Children’s Museum or 15 percent off a dine-in meal at Carbon Arc Bar & Board at the Davis Theater.
Looking for an afternoon escape from the Loop? Use the Chicago Water Taxi to float to Chinatown for dumplings and fried rice. From the Michigan Avenue stop (located between Trump Tower and the Wrigley Building), it’s a 25- to 30-minute trip; if you depart from Ogilvie, the ride is less than 20 minutes. Buying a day pass will get you there and back for just $9.
Late-night drinking usually calls for a snack, and Logan Square cocktail bar Scofflaw is kind enough to provide one for you (free of charge). Around midnight, the kitchen serves complimentary, fresh chocolate chip cookies to anyone who's sipping a cocktail and trying to decide whether or not they should turn in for the evening.
While there’s no shortage of amazing restaurants that will let you bring your own tipples, you can save a pretty penny when you pick up a bottle of bubbly or red en route to dinner at Bavette’s Steakhouse & Bar, where the steaks alone will set you back up to $70. The indulgent policy isn’t publicized, but there is one laudable proviso: You must share a glass of your wine with a diner at another table. Consider it good booze karma.
Forgo some of the city's popular dining destinations for these just-as-good (if not better) nearby counterparts.
For burgers: Skip Au Cheval for the Loyalist.
For tacos: In Wicker Park, skip Big Star for Antique Taco.
For patio hangs: Skip Parson’s Chicken & Fish for the Moonlighter.
For pizza: Skip Pequod’s Pizza for Pizzeria Bebu.
For brunch: Skip Dove’s Luncheonette for Cafe Robey.
Food halls are all the rage in the Loop right now, but if you don't feel like waiting in line for a fried chicken sandwich, there's a better way to do à la carte dining. You'll find cafeterias in some of Chicago's biggest buildings (usually located on the lower floors), offering entrees, sandwiches, salad bars and more. Check out the Urban Market beneath the Chase Building or Market Creations Cafe at the Civic Opera House.
If you’re going east or west, Grand Avenue is a wide-open, low-traffic diagonal line from North Western to Narragansett and Fullerton Avenues, making it a superhighway for Humboldt Park and Logan Square residents. Heading north or south? Take the less-traveled North Larrabee Street, which is sandwiched between the more traffic-heavy North Halsted and North Clark Streets.
Whether you're trying to stay dry on a rainy day or need to get somewhere in the Loop in a hurry, Chicago's subterranean Pedway system is a quick and easy way to navigate the Loop. Plus, it's more than just an underground walkway—you'll find restaurants, shops and a few bars hiding beneath the streets.
If you're lucky enough to be able to work wherever you please, you can stop paying for overpriced lattes and stale scones at downtown coffeeshops. Instead, take your laptop to the ninth floor of the Harold Washington Library Center. There, you can work for free in the inspiring Winter Garden, which boasts a glass ceiling, greenery galore, tables for visitors and, most importantly, free WiFi.
Discover Time Out original video
