5 Free Things Chicago

Why it made the list: The heart of downtown and completely free, Cloud Gate (the 'Bean'), the mirrored sculpture that reflects the whole skyline; the Pritzker Pavilion with its free summer concerts; and the Crown Fountain with its giant projected faces that spit water in summer. The single best free hour in Chicago.

Why it made the list: One of the last free major zoos in the country, lions, gorillas, penguins and more, right in Lincoln Park with the skyline behind it, open 365 days a year for nothing. Pair it with the equally free Lincoln Park Conservatory next door.

Why it made the list: Chicago's answer to the High Line, a nearly three-mile elevated park and trail built on a former rail line, running through Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Logan Square. Walk or cycle it above the streets, with gardens, art and neighborhood views the whole way.

Why it made the list: 18 miles of paved path along Lake Michigan, with the skyline on one side and the water on the other, the city's front yard, free to everyone, and the best way to understand how Chicago sits against its lake. Walk, run or rent a bike and take a stretch of it.

Why it made the list: A free, gorgeous landmark most visitors walk past, the former central library on Michigan Avenue, home to the world's largest Tiffany stained-glass dome, plus free art exhibitions, concerts and events. Walk in, look up, and it costs nothing.