Chicago Weekend Fun!

My boyfriend and I are always looking for fun things to do on dates in Chicago that are not going to break the bank. Sometimes if he hasn’t had a great month of tips or if I have had a big engine problem to fix on my car we go to Chicago free date mode. You can’t really get free food most times, but you can eat at home and go somewhere that you don’t have to pay for. If you’re smarter than us you will start your month off with a few Chicago Free Dates rather than end with them, but it is always good to know how to go out and have a good time without spending money. And we admit, these aren’t the hottest dates in the world, and not something you should try to do if you haven’t been going out forever like we have. They’re some ideas to start from, and I am sure you will come up with more once you are thinking about it.

1. Walk or Bike Ride on the lake walkway or beach of Lake Michigan. This also works by the Morton Arboretum, the Naperville River Walk and any outdoor space that has a walking path. (notice: beware of the mites falling from trees this summer in Chicago though, avoid walking under trees whenever possible)

2. Pull some strings. Who do you know that works somewhere and will let you in for free because you are their BFF? This sounds silly, but if you are young like us we know people who work at movie theaters, comedy clubs, improv theaters and other places. They comp us because they are allowed a few personal guests per night. They just sign us in or put us on the guest list and it’s all set. The only thing is, if your friends in Chicago are cool enough to do this for you, please return the favor for them. We do, and it keeps the love flowing around.

3. Go somewhere on the company. Well maybe this isn’t something available all the time, but my company gives a “dinner on us” reward sometimes, and then you and your significant other get to go out to dinner on the company for up to $100.00. Last time we went to Gibson’s Steakhouse. Nice.

4. Use those reward points! How many reward points do you have laying around in all your credit card accounts? Put them to good use, exchange them for a gift certificate at a restaurant or exchange them for cash to use on the date. (or several dates if it is a lot of money) The INChicago card from American Express actually specializes in giving you rewards at the hottest clubs and restaurants in Chicago. 5,000 dollars = 5,000 points and that equals a $50.00 gift certificate. It’s your money you are spending, you may as well get something back for it.

5. Reclaim forgotten Gifts. When people ask what to get you for birthdays and Holidays or Christmas, tell them gift certificates or gift cards to restaurants, movie theaters, comedy clubs or shows. Put them away for times like these when cash is short and you still want to spend some time together. Some places I recommend asking for gift certificates or gift cards for are:

     a. Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants – There are so many all over the city to go to.

     b. AMC or Lowes Movie Theaters – Again these theaters are all over the city.

     c. IO Theater or Second City - These Improv Comedy Show theaters have shows 7 nights a week that will make you laugh until you can’t laugh anymore. Always an entertaining pick me up.  

6. Potluck & Movie Night. If our friends want to get together and none of us really has money to go out, we all bring something to eat (hopefully some staple we have in the house already like frozen lasagna or pasta mix) and we watch a movie on DVD at someone’s house. (in this case it’s someone’s apartment they share with 3 roommates)

7. Free Chicago City Events. The mayor’s office puts on a ton of free events in Chicago every summer. Some I have liked are: Summerdance by Michigan Avenue and the Art Institute every Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday; Millennium Park Free Concerts like the one where NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me recorded a show. The Chicago Air and Water Show is also always a big hit, and there are Free fireworks from Navy Pier every Saturday. That doesn’t even scratch the surface of all the free events that Chicago puts on for it’s residents. (Venetian Night, St Patrick’s Day Parade, Free Movies in Grant Park on Tuesdays in the Summer…)

8. The Chicago Auto Show - This isn’t something you can do all year round, but if you go to a car dealer and test drive a car, most likely they will send you or give you 2 free tickets to the Auto Show. It’s a one time deal every year, but it’s fun to run around and check out all kinds of cars you like and make fun of the ugly ones. In this case don’t drive, because it’s $20.00 to park. (I know, it’s crazy) Take public transit for $2.00 (or $1.75 if you have a go card) hopefully on a pre-paid CTA card in this situation.

9. Free Chicago Museum Days. In order to be fair to those of us who don’t make a lot of money there is usually one day a week in the Chicago Museums that is free of admission. It was Tuesdays at the Art Institute of Chicago this past year, but they change them from time to time, so it is always better to look it up first. The Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, The Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium all do this. A big corporate sponsor covers the costs for that day and gets mentioned for it. The Museum of Contemporary art also has some free events, but I am not sure if it is weekly.

10. Go to the Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo has free days, but it is usually once a month or less. The Brookfield Zoo does a winter lights and sing Christmas carols with the animals theme and is Free in the winter months. I don’t know the last time you were at a Zoo, but it’s fun even as an adult. Who doesn’t love animals?

So, that is the list I work from. What do you do to find a place for a cheap date? Do you have any ideas I missed? Post them below!