A number of freebies rock the block-long Cultural Center. The ongoing art exhibitions are top-tier, especially those in the 4th-floor Yates Gallery. Free jazz, classical and electronic dance music concerts take place at lunchtime (12:15pm Mon, Wed & Fri), while film screenings and other events happen on various evenings. InstaGreeter guides offer free hour-long tours of the Loop (departure from Randolph St lobby, Fri-Sun 11am-2pm). In summer free Millennium Park tours depart from here, too (daily at 11:30am and 1pm).

The beaux arts building began life as the Chicago Public Library back in 1897, and the exquisite Gilded Age interior mixes marble, mosaics and the world’s largest stained-glass Tiffany dome on the 3rd floor. You can explore on your own, or take a free building tour (1:15pm Wed, Fri & Sat), which departs from the Randolph St lobby.

There’s also free wi-fi and seating areas throughout the building. StoryCorps has a recording studio inside where you can tell your tale, get a free CD of it, and have it preserved in the Library of Congress. The studio is open noon-6pm Thursday, and 10am-4pm Saturday.

See and save more places to create your own itinerary or modify a Bindu itinerary.

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