Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

Art and Architecture

Free virtual museum tours

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free virtual museum tours.  The following museums are offering virtual tours.  Some tours are better than others.  Some of them you can't really see all the art.  Try zooming in.  Some include some information about the art some are really just a "street view" with no explanation.  Overall I think … [Read more...] about Free virtual museum tours

Art Institute El Greco Exhibit online

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Art Institute El Greco Exhibit online While the museum is temporarily closed the Art Institute has created a few different ways to experience the exhibition El Greco: Ambition and Defiance online. Video Tour Take a quick tour of the exhibition with curator Rebecca Long and research associate … [Read more...] about Art Institute El Greco Exhibit online

Hours of fun on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Hours of fun on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's website offers access to over 400,000 pieces from the collection.  You can click on the following categories and then filter your search by: "Object type/Material",  "Geographic location", "Date/Era and … [Read more...] about Hours of fun on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website

Hours of fun on the Smithsonian website

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Hours of fun on the Smithsonian website.  Last month the Smithsonian released 2.8 Million images high-resolution two- and three-dimensional images from across its collections onto an open access online platform for patrons to peruse and download free of charge. You have access to data and … [Read more...] about Hours of fun on the Smithsonian website

Hours of fun on the Art Institute of Chicago website

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Hours of fun on the Art Institute of Chicago website.  The Art Institute has revamped their website and it's fantastic.  Not only can you access and use 50,000 images for free but you can give yourself an art education by looking at and reading about all of the art.  Each image offers a brief … [Read more...] about Hours of fun on the Art Institute of Chicago website

Hours of fun with Chicago Landmarks

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Hours of fun with Chicago Landmarks.  While looking for information about these guys below I stumbled into this City of Chicago database.   It's a treasure trove of everything Landmarked in the Chicago.  However I don't know how up to date it is and also it neglects to mention statues … [Read more...] about Hours of fun with Chicago Landmarks

Free tour Graceland Cemetery

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free tour Graceland Cemetery Where: Graceland Cemetery, 4001 N. Clark Street, Main Entrance Gate When: Spring & Summer Cemetery Gate Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fall & Winter Cemetery Gate Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM; … [Read more...] about Free tour Graceland Cemetery

Free Tuesdays at the MCA

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free Tuesdays at the MCA. The Museum of Contemporary Art offers free admission for Illinois residents on Tuesdays, year round.  All ages are welcome. From time-to-time they offer discount admission check here. Free and regular admission Tuesdays are free for Illinois residents with valid ID … [Read more...] about Free Tuesdays at the MCA

Free Hyde Park Art Center Center Sunday

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free Hyde Park Art Center Center Sunday. When: Every first Sunday of the month from 12-5pm Where: 5020 S. Cornell Avenue, 773-324-5520. Always call to confirm. Subject to change without notice. Head to HPAC  for a full afternoon of activities throughout the center for the public, neighbors, … [Read more...] about Free Hyde Park Art Center Center Sunday

Free tour First United Methodist Church

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free tour First United Methodist Church Where: 77 W. Washington St., 312.236.4548 When: Monday: No Tour; Tuesday-Saturday: 2 p.m.; Sunday: 9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. For groups of 10 or more please contact the Church office. This tour requires climbing a flight of stairs to reach the Sky … [Read more...] about Free tour First United Methodist Church

Chicago Cultural Center Free Ongoing Exhibitions

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Chicago Cultural Center Free Ongoing Exhibitions.  Head over to the Chicago Cultural Center to check out FREE exhibitions and related events: Where: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., 312-744-6630. Always call in advance for hours. Subject to change without notice. Chicago Cultural … [Read more...] about Chicago Cultural Center Free Ongoing Exhibitions

Check out Chicago Temple exterior stained glass

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Check out Chicago Temple exterior stained glass Where:  First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple, West exterior, 77 W. Washington St., 312.236.4548 First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple has some beautiful stained glass on the exterior of their building.  There are also … [Read more...] about Check out Chicago Temple exterior stained glass

Member of the Living on the Cheap Network

Chicago on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

Living on the Cheap in the media