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.

Chicago's Dusable Museum of African American History is presenting the 35th Annual Arts and Festival 2009 this weekend.  On Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12 between noon and 8:00pm Artists will be leading workshops, demonstrating crafts, and exhibiting fine arts and crafts that relate to African American themes.  The art fair will feature a juried exhibition of both local and national artists working in traditional, ethnic, and experimental art.  Family freindly entertainment includes; Jamal on Fire & the Red Machine, Violinist Jamilia Clark, and Kjdzjcjans (yes that's the right spelling!).  This year the festival celebrates children.  There will be plenty of  activities for children as well as pets. This celebration of African American art draws thousands of people each year. The museum is located at 740 E.56th place in Chicago.  Admission if free.   

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? 

Be one of the first in your neighborhood to see the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago.  On Saturday, May16, 2009 The Art Institute is hosting an extravaganza to celebrate the opening of the new Modern Wing and you're invited.  The festivities begin at 9:00am with a dedication ceremony with Modern Wing architect Renzo Piano.  A ribbon cutting ceremony will follow to officially open the building to the public.  From 11:00am until 5:00pm there will be live music and family activities throughout the galleries and along Monroe Street.  To top this off admission to the entire museum is free from May 16 until May 22.

The Modern Wing is a 264,000 square foot building that wil house the museum's Modern European painting and sculpture, contemporary art, architecture and design, and photography collections.  This $283 million addition makes this museum the second largest art museum in the United States.  Now that's impressive!

Bring your family down to the Art Institute of Chicago and be part of this historical celebration.

How do you make a perfect margarita?  What ingredients are in a great guacamole?  Does chocalate taste good with tequila?  Head over to the Chicago History Museum on May 5, from 7:00PM until 9:30PM and join in the fun at the Cinco de Maya Fiesta.  This celebration will cost you $25.00 or $20.00 if you are a member and includes a cocktail.  The fiesta also includes appetizers, demonstrations on how to make guacamole and margaritas, chocolate and tequila tasings, live music and plenty of dancing.   Come celebrate at the Chicago History Museum located at 1601 N. Clark Street on the south end of Lincoln Park.

 

CONTEST EXTENDED UNTIL MARCH 21st, MIDNIGHT !!!!!!!!

In celebration of  the Your Chicago on the Cheap and Cities on the Cheap official launch we are offering the chance to win 2 free Chicago city passes! All you need to do is comment on our website.  Comments can include suggestions for content, tips on fun stuff to do (we'll include your name when we post), or things you might like to see in the future.  A winner will be randomly selected and announced on March 17th, 2009.  All comments must be posted by 6:00pm, March 16th.  One entry per person please.

Chicago CityPass is a collection of the top attractions in Chicago. The booklets save money -- at half the price of combined individual dmissions, and saves time -- with advance planning already done, and no waiting in most main entrance ticket lines. Easy and convenient, each CityPass ticket has loads of helpful information  and is valid for a nine days from day of first use in Chicago.  You can stay as long as you like at each attraction.  It's the ticket that makes the trip and is available in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hollywood, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Southern California and Toronto.

Chicago City Passes include one adult pass to the Shedd Aquarium (VIP Pass), Chicago Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, The Museum of Science and Industry, and a choice of the Hancock Observatory or the Sears Skydeck fast pass.  It also includes a one day discount for shopping at Bloomingdales on Michigan Ave.

To get more details on the city pass go the Chicago City Pass page.  

Bring three of your friends and explore 14 acres of exhibits at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.  Beat those winter blues with a value package for groups of four.  You need to go to their http://www.msichicago.org/, print the coupon and bring it to the ticket office.  For $60.00 four  guests get general admissions and omnimax combo tickets.  You must have the coupon to get the deal. The coupon is good through March 18th.

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It's Pulaski day and the kids have another day off school what are you going to do with them?  Pay a visit to the Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier.  The kids can design their own skyscraper at the skyline exhibit and learn about Chicago's tallest buildings.  Because it's the first Monday of the month, for kids fifteen and under it's free! What a great way to spend a day off of school.

 When you combine Bingo and Tango what do you get?  Find out on the second Tuesday of every month at the MCA.  Hosted by Jason Pickelman from 6:00-8:00, this spicy mix includes filling Bingo cards with shapes based on works in the MCA collection.  In between games, you can learn how to tango with professional Argentine dance instructors.  For more information go to www.mcachicago.org.

Take a field trip to the John G. Shedd Aquarium and get free admission to the original galleries and discounts to other exhibits including the Wild Reef exhibit.   This offer is good thru February 20th and every Monday and Tuesday in February.   What a great way to take the chill out of the day while keeping your money in your wallet.  The Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive.