Verdict
Destinations

Chicago on a budget

Worth the spend, plus the free and near-free wins.

Independent — no pay-to-rank Graded for who you areHow we grade →
  1. 1.Pilsen Murals & 18th StreetOn a budget, Pilsen Murals & 18th Street still earns its price.
  2. 2.Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean)On a budget, Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (The Bean) still earns its price.
  3. 3.Garfield Park ConservatoryOn a budget, Garfield Park Conservatory still earns its price.
  4. 4.Jackson Park & Garden of the PhoenixOn a budget, Jackson Park & Garden of the Phoenix still earns its price.
  5. 5.Starved Rock State Park (day-trip)On a budget, Starved Rock State Park (day-trip) still earns its price.
  6. 6.Lakefront TrailOn a budget, Lakefront Trail still earns its price.
  7. 7.Chicago Cultural CenterOn a budget, Chicago Cultural Center still earns its price.
  8. 8.Chicago Architecture River CruiseOn a budget, Chicago Architecture River Cruise still earns its price.
  9. 9.ChinatownOn a budget, Chinatown still earns its price.
  10. 10.Girl & the GoatOn a budget, Girl & the Goat still earns its price.
  11. 11.Green Mill Jazz ClubOn a budget, Green Mill Jazz Club still earns its price.
  12. 12.The Loop & the 'L'On a budget, The Loop & the 'L' still earns its price.
  13. 13.Lincoln ParkOn a budget, Lincoln Park still earns its price.
  14. 14.Logan SquareOn a budget, Logan Square still earns its price.
  15. 15.Wicker Park / BucktownOn a budget, Wicker Park / Bucktown still earns its price.
  16. 16.Chicago Architecture Walking TourOn a budget, Chicago Architecture Walking Tour still earns its price.
  17. 17.Art Institute of ChicagoOn a budget, Art Institute of Chicago still earns its price.
  18. 18.Hyde ParkOn a budget, Hyde Park still earns its price.
  19. 19.Smoque BBQOn a budget, Smoque BBQ still earns its price.
  20. 20.Chicago RiverwalkOn a budget, weigh it — Chicago Riverwalk isn't cheap for what it is.
  21. 21.North Avenue BeachOn a budget, weigh it — North Avenue Beach isn't cheap for what it is.
  22. 22.Indiana Dunes (day-trip)On a budget, weigh it — Indiana Dunes (day-trip) isn't cheap for what it is.
  23. 23.Pequod's PizzaOn a budget, weigh it — Pequod's Pizza isn't cheap for what it is.
  24. 24.Old TownOn a budget, weigh it — Old Town isn't cheap for what it is.
  25. 25.MonteverdeOn a budget, weigh it — Monteverde isn't cheap for what it is.
  26. 26.Lincoln Park ZooOn a budget, weigh it — Lincoln Park Zoo isn't cheap for what it is.
  27. 27.Grant ParkOn a budget, weigh it — Grant Park isn't cheap for what it is.
  28. 28.Au ChevalOn a budget, weigh it — Au Cheval isn't cheap for what it is.
  29. 29.Milwaukee (day-trip)On a budget, weigh it — Milwaukee (day-trip) isn't cheap for what it is.
  30. 30.AlineaOn a budget, weigh it — Alinea isn't cheap for what it is.
  31. 31.Museum of Contemporary ArtOn a budget, weigh it — Museum of Contemporary Art isn't cheap for what it is.
  32. 32.Lou Malnati's PizzeriaOn a budget, weigh it — Lou Malnati's Pizzeria isn't cheap for what it is.
  33. 33.Buckingham FountainOn a budget, weigh it — Buckingham Fountain isn't cheap for what it is.
  34. 34.Chicago Athletic Association HotelOn a budget, weigh it — Chicago Athletic Association Hotel isn't cheap for what it is.
  35. 35.The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)On a budget, weigh it — The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail) isn't cheap for what it is.
  36. 36.Deep-Dish Pizza CrawlOn a budget, weigh it — Deep-Dish Pizza Crawl isn't cheap for what it is.
  37. 37.360 Chicago (Hancock)On a budget, weigh it — 360 Chicago (Hancock) isn't cheap for what it is.
  38. 38.Field MuseumOn a budget, weigh it — Field Museum isn't cheap for what it is.
  39. 39.Museum CampusOn a budget, weigh it — Museum Campus isn't cheap for what it is.
  40. 40.The PublicanOn a budget, weigh it — The Publican isn't cheap for what it is.
  41. 41.Adler PlanetariumOn a budget, weigh it — Adler Planetarium isn't cheap for what it is.
  42. 42.The RobeyOn a budget, weigh it — The Robey isn't cheap for what it is.
  43. 43.Willis Tower SkydeckOn a budget, weigh it — Willis Tower Skydeck isn't cheap for what it is.
  44. 44.Ace Hotel ChicagoOn a budget, weigh it — Ace Hotel Chicago isn't cheap for what it is.
  45. 45.The Peninsula ChicagoOn a budget, weigh it — The Peninsula Chicago isn't cheap for what it is.
  46. 46.The Langham, ChicagoOn a budget, weigh it — The Langham, Chicago isn't cheap for what it is.
  47. 47.The Second CityOn a budget, weigh it — The Second City isn't cheap for what it is.
  48. 48.WrigleyvilleOn a budget, weigh it — Wrigleyville isn't cheap for what it is.
  49. 49.The Walnut RoomOn a budget, weigh it — The Walnut Room isn't cheap for what it is.
  50. 50.The Hoxton, ChicagoOn a budget, weigh it — The Hoxton, Chicago isn't cheap for what it is.
  51. 51.Four Seasons Hotel ChicagoOn a budget, weigh it — Four Seasons Hotel Chicago isn't cheap for what it is.
  52. 52.Museum of Science & IndustryOn a budget, weigh it — Museum of Science & Industry isn't cheap for what it is.
  53. 53.ChristkindlmarketOn a budget, weigh it — Christkindlmarket isn't cheap for what it is.
  54. 54.The Purple PigOn a budget, weigh it — The Purple Pig isn't cheap for what it is.

Itineraries are prefiltered verdict lists — every spot is graded honestly, not pay-to-place.