Budgeting's a breeze in the Windy City

August 14, 2005|Richard P. Carpenter, Globe Correspondent

As the sun streamed down on Chicago's Grant Park, the wail of the blues seemed to be everywhere. Some of the nation's top bluesmen and women sang of love lost and hope that became despair. But there were joyous sounds, too, and the hundreds attending clapped and sang along, happy to be at this incredible gathering of talent.

There was something else incredible about this recent event: It was free.

The annual Chicago Blues Festival has no admission charge, and it's hardly the only freebie in the nation's Second City. If they time things right, people on a budget can enjoy fine entertainment, visit top museums, and even ride from attraction to attraction for nothing. Perhaps more than most big cities, Chicago rolls out the freebies. Here is only a partial list:

Free transportation. The ubiquitous tourist trolleys do a good job for about $25 a ticket. Through Sept. 5, though, vehicles marked ''Free Trolley" will get you to the Navy Pier entertainment district, the North Michigan Avenue shopping district, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Sears Tower, Museum of Contemporary Art, and many other spots. Most trolleys run 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; the Navy Pier trolley goes during pier operating hours. Weekends and holidays, a shuttle bus goes to Lincoln Park or Chinatown. Visit www.cityofchicago.org/transportation/trolleys.

Free tour. Chicago Greeter matches you up with a trusted local ''expert" to experience a particular Chicago subject or neighborhood in a two- to four-hour tour on foot and with public transportation. Register at least seven business days in advance at www.chicagogreeter.com.

Free museums. If you're there at the right time, admission is waived at these places: Monday, Chicago Historical Society; Tuesday, Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art (5-8 p.m.); Wednesday, the historic Clark and Glessner houses; Thursday, Chicago Children's Museum (5-8 p.m.), the Notebaert Nature Museum; Friday, Spertus Museum, which examines Jewish culture (1-3 p.m.); Sunday, DuSable Museum of African American History (noon-5 p.m.). These places, on the other hand, are always free: ArchiCenter, Chicago Cultural Center, City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Museum of Contemporary Photographs, Oriental Museum, and Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.