Over 10 Under 20
Looking for a way to save a buck or two but want to get out of the house to do so? Chicagoans are lucky enough to have unique and interesting activities all over the city that won’t have you digging deep into your pocket. Here are over 10 Chicago activities under $20.
1. The University of Illinois-Chicago Bowling Alley lanes are open to the public. Games are $3 a piece and shoes are $1.75 to rent. Open Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Sundays 10 a.m. to midnight.
2. With a turn in climate brings more of the cities beautiful gardens alive with people, flowers and events. The Millennium Park’s Lurie Garden is an urban oasis that takes the Latin motto “Urbs in Horto” (City in a Garden) in a literal manner. The five-acre garden includes 15-foot high hedges that protect the garden from city wind. Starting May 10, free guided tours of the garden are available or simply grab a few friends, pack of picnic and enjoy.
3. Check out the free Spring Garden Show at the Garfiend Park Conservatory to see what’s blooming this season. This show features colorful bulbs, annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs. The show spotlights more than 800 azaleas over three months, including some descended from the 1893 Columbian Exposition. The second half of the show headlines more than 400 hydrangea in white, pink and blue. Let our daffodils put a smile on your face - this show is sure to banish your winter blues!
4. Make it a movie night at Brew and View at the Vic (3145 N. Sheffield, 773-929-6713, ). The popular Lake View venue offers $5 second-run films, and on Mondays through Thursdays select draft beers are $3. It’s 18 or older to enter, 21 and over to drink.
5. Catch the best in art house and independent films at the Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport, 773-871-6604, ). First show of the day Mondays through Thursdays costs $8.25; general admission is $9.25.
6. The Gene Siskel Film Center (164 N. State, 312-846-2600) also gets a thumbs up for it’s $9 general admission. No ghosts that we know of, though.
7. Pack a picnic and take the CTA to Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon, 312-742-2000). The zoo is free, and four round-trip CTA fares will run you the $18. You also can drive and pay to park in the zoo’s lot (3-4 hours will set you back $16).
8. The Art Dealers Association of Chicago sponsors free gallery tours in participating River North galleries every Saturday at 11 a.m. Meet at the Starbucks at 750 N. Franklin. West Loop Gallery tours are offered on occasional Saturdays, as well.
9. The photo exhibit “Chicago Landmarks Before the Lens,” features 72 black-and-white photos of 24 of Chicago’s landmarks and historic districts in the Landmark Chicago Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington, 312-744-6630). It’s just one of several free art exhibits at the center.
10. You may not be able to afford that dream vacation, but at least you can eat like it. Treat your honey to a Hawaiian staycation with a plate lunch from Aloha Eats (2534 N. Clark, 773-935-6828). Traditional dishes liked Kalua Pork (pulled pork with marinated, cooked cabbage, $7.35), Hawaiian-style barbecue beef ($8.35) and Spam Loco Moco (three slices of Spam with two eggs and brown gravy, $7.35) are served with two heaping scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad.
11. Meet your significant other at McCormick & Schmick’s (1 E. Wacker, 312-923-7226) after work to take advantage of the incredible deals on its happy hour menu, with the blackened chicken breast sandwich a mere $1.95 or the cheeseburger and fries for $2.95 until 6:30 p.m. Depending on the season, a two-drink minimum might be in effect, but even with two sodas each and tip, you’ll still spend less than $18.
12. Watch up-and-coming improvisational groups face off against each other in the popular cage match series at iO Chicago (3541 N. Clark, 773-880-0199) at midnight Saturdays. Tickets are $5.
13. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind,” the Neofuturists (5153 N. Ashland, 773-878-4577) are offering cheap tickets the first Sunday of the month for the 7 p.m. show. You roll a die and pay that amount ($1-$6; cash only). Doors open at 6:30, but you’ll want to come early and line up with the crowd.
14. The Barrel of Monkeys takes over the Neofuturist’s space on Monday nights at 8 for “That’s Weird, Grandma,” a revolving set of sketches written by Chicago Public School kids and performed by professional actors. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids, but the show’s Web site has a printable coupon that will get you $2 off one adult admission at the door.
15. Take in a “Triple Feature” at Annoyance Theatre (4830 N. Broadway, 773-561-4665). At 8 p.m. Wednesdays, the satiric theater company presents three new 20-minute plays for $5. The League of Chicago Theatres’ same-day half-price Web site (www.hottix.org) also frequently has some of the company’s musical productions for $5.
16. The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4433) hosts the best and brightest of indie music with tickets usually $10 and under. Country/blues band Devil in a Woodpile plays a regular Tuesday night gig at the club with a $5 suggested donation, and on Saturday nights at 11:30 the club hosts a $5 dance party featuring local DJ talent.
17. World music takes center stage Wednesdays at the Old Town School of Folk Music (4544 N. Lincoln, 773-728-6000). World Music Wednesdays carries a $5 suggested donation.
New West Realty has a number of different developments close to all these saavy consumer hotspots. If your concern about moving is with saving money, look no further because New West Realty has pricing options for everyone. Schedule your appointment today!






















Leave a Reply