Here are some cool things to do in the Windy City.
Lincoln Park Zoo and Conservatory:What awsome animals do you think you can see for free? You may be thinking it’s more or less limited to your dog or cat, the squirrels in your backyard, and the bats in your attic.
Hardly. Look at this list – Lions, tigers and bears – black, Andean and polar. Howler monkeys and great apes. Rhinos, zebras and giraffes. Penguins and puffins. Snakes, caimans and crocodiles. These are just a few of the creatures with which you can come face to face for free at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Everything from the sea lion pool to the Farm in the Zoo, and the magnificent African Safari exhibit – complete with Madagascar hissing cockroaches – is free.
Just to the north of the zoo at Stockton Drive and Fullerton Parkway is the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Walk in on a cold January day and you’ll be sure to forget it’s winter within seconds.
The nearly 120-year-old building features four sections – the Palm House with its circularpath and soaring tropical trees; the warm, misty Fern Room with its re-creation of the prehistoric forest floor; the cooler Orchid Room; and the Display House with its rotation of lovely flower exhibits. And you’ll only spend money if you choose to throw a coin in one of the limestone pools.
Buckingham Fountain:
It’s one of the largest fountains in the world, and one of the city’s most amazing sights. The center jet shoots 150 feet into the air every hour on the hour, and in the evening, the waters of the fountain are illuminated by a brilliant light show.
Located in Grant Park downtown, the fountain is open from May 1, or earlier if weather permits, until mid-October.
Millennium Park:It's hard to visit Chicago and not swing by Millennium Park. Sitting just north of the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium 
Park is home to some of the city's most beloved sights, including Cloud Gate (more commonly known as "The Bean"). TheCrown Fountain is another popular attraction: It features two giant block columns with video screens that display the facesof 1,000 Chicago residents. The faces change every five minutes or so, with water spouting out of puckered lips, and this can keep children entertained for hours. Millennium Park is also home to the Pritzker Pavilion theater and the Lurie Garden. Admission is free.
Sears Tower (Willis Tower)
If you don't mind waiting in exorbitantly long lines, a trip to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower is one of the quintessential Chicago experiences. Located in the heart of the Loop, this 110-story tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. The Skydeck on the 103rd floor offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Chicago's impressive skyline.
However, some say the John Hancock Center and Observatory (another beloved top Chicago attraction) offers views that are just as good but without the long wait. Even if you don't wish to go to the top, the building is definitely worth a visit; you can see it from a unique point of view on one of the Chicago Architectural Foundation tours.
The Willis Tower is open daily, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. April through September and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. October through Monday.
Navy Pier:
If you're traveling with kids, it's worth carving out a couple hours for the Navy Pier, a modest amusement park located in 
Near North along Lake Michigan. Finished in 1916, Navy Pier was used as a Navy training center for pilots during World War II -- and now features palm trees, fountains and several carnival rides (including a 15-story Ferris wheel). Navy Pier is also home to the Chicago Children's Museum, an IMAX Theatre and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Hours of operation depend on the season, but Navy Pier generally opens at 10 a.m. and closes between 8 p.m. and midnight; for a more detailed schedule, visit Navy Pier's website. Admission is free, but parking is not: The website quotes upwards of $20 per day, but this is subject to change.
