I love Halloween and Halloween is coming early early to the Lincoln Park Zoo's Spooky Zoo Spectacular on Saturday, October 24 at 11:00am.  The Auxiliary Board of the Lincoln Park Zoo invites children to celebrate Halloween at a free, family-friendly event at the Lincoln Park Zoo.  Come dressed in your favorite costume and make crafts, visit the Education Zone, and trick-or-treat with the animals.  There will be entertainment throughout the zoo.   Dont miss out on this free, spooktacular opportunity to celebrate Halloween with the Lincoln Park Zoo.     

Come down to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum as it celebrates its 10th anniverary with 10 free days filled with special programming.  From October 23 - November 1 admission to the Nature Museum is free!  Take the Family to see Videos shot by the National Geographic Crittercam in The World Through Animal Eyes exhibit.  Get up close to exotic butterflies as they sit on your shoulder or perch on your arms in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven.  Engage in a bit of waterplay while exploring the dynamics of rivers in the Riverworks display.  These are just a few examples of the variety of learning experiences you can enjoy with your family for free during the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's 10th Anniversary celebration.  The Museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 5:00pm.  It's located at  2430 N. Cannon Drive in Chicago, near Lincoln Park.

Has it been to long since you've seen a show?.  Chicago has one of the most vibrant theater communities in the nation and now you can experience it for free.  The Theatre Communications Group is celebrating the 5th anniversary of a Free Night of Theater program by offering free tickets to over 700 plays coast to coast.  Starting October 1 2009, you can experience what our local theaters have to offer free of cost.  To see what is available in the Chicago area click here.  Stop using lack of funds as an excuse not to go out to a show.  Get your tickets now to a Free Night of Theater.  Hurry, tickets go fast!    

Has it been too long since you've seen a show?  Chicago has one of the most vibrant theater communities in the nation and now you can experience it for free.  The Theatre Communications Group is celebrating the 5th anniversary of a Free Night of Theater program by offering free tickets to over 700 plays coast to coast.  Starting October 1 2009, you can experience what our local theaters have to offer free of cost.  To see what is available in the Chicago area click here.  Stop using lack of funds as an excuse not to go out to a show.  Get your tickets now to a Free Night of Theater.  Hurry, tickets go fast!    

Vickie from Houston on the Cheap  gave me the scoop on a tasty family deal.  Bring your kids to the nearest Boston Market for a free kids meal when you make an adult purchase of $6.00 or more.  The deal includes up to two meals for kids 14 and under.  If you're really hungry, or have a large family, you can purchase a family meal and get up to 4 free kids meals.  You don't need a coupon but you do need your kids to be present.  It's a great deal for my family because my kids are 13 and 14 and love Boston Market chicken.  The deal runs through October 31, 2009.

Do you know of a Chicago bargain?  Enter a comment and I'll post the deal!      

Become a facebook fan of the Corner Bakery and tell them what you are doing to stay local this summer and they will send you a coupon for a free sweet.  Post pictures or stories about staying local and you could also be randomly selected to receive a coupon for a free BLT sandwich. this is another sweet deal from Jennifer Maciejewski of Atlanta on the Cheap ...... Thanks Jenn!

Do you have a burning passion for jalepeno pepppers?  Here's something for you that's too hot to pass up!  On July 5 at 3:00pm join the jalepeno pepper eating contest at Plaza Giribaldi located at 2600 South California in the Pilsen neighborhood.  The person to eat the most jalepeno peppers in one minute will be the winner.  The prize is $200 in cash and the chance to compete with professional competitors in September.   Now that's what I call one heck of a hot ticket!  

When I was a kid a good mac and cheese topped the list of my favorite foods.  I passed this love on to my kids.  What makes a good Mac and cheese better is when it's free so I took my kids over to Leona's where they're giving away free mac and cheese lasagna through the month of June in support of National Children's awareness month.  To get this free treat each child needs to bring in a coupon (click here) to any Leona's location and eat in the main dining room with a paying adult.  This offer is good until the end of June.   By the way, I still love mac and cheese.  I'm just a big kid after all! 

Have you been to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago lately?  Now is the perfect time to go.  You can take advantage of free days at the Museum of Science and Industry now through Friday, June 5.  During this time general admission to the museum is free to the public.  Learn about tomorrow's inventions at the Fast Forward - Inventing the Future exhibit.  See the Swiss Jolly Ball, the world's largest pinball machine.  Imerse yourself in fantasy in Coleen Moore's Fairy Castle. Explore space in the Henry Crown Space Center.  Bring the little ones to the Imagination Staion to splash, build and create.  Enjoy these exhibits and more for free at the Museum of Science and Industry.  The hours are 9:30am - 5:30pm Monday thru Saturday.  If you miss out this week there will be another  free day on June 19.  When was the last time you went to the Museum of Science and Industry for free? 

Wahoo!  I love donuts and my favorite kind is free!  Friday, June 5 is Donut Appreciation Day and Dunkin Donuts is celebrating by offering custumers a free donut of their choice with the purchase of a beverage.   The first National Donut Day was started in 1938 as a fund raiser for the Chicago Salvation Army to raise funds during the depression.  Now it is celebrated the first Friday of June every year by donut eaters everywhere.  On Friday, you can celebrate by purchasing a beverage at any participating Dunkin Donuts store and enjoy a free donut.  The limit is one per custumer.  This is one sweet deal!