Spending a day downtown doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Chicago is full of destinations and activities for all kinds of interests that are completely free. Whether you’re an art fanatic, a history buff, or a nature lover, here are some places that only cost the train ticket down.

Cultural Center – 78 E Washington St.

Sitting on a street corner across from Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center offers a multitude of interesting exhibits. The upper levels have beautiful architecture with mosaic covered domes and walls engraved with the names of influential authors where musical events often take place. Whereas the lower levels feature changing art exhibits from modern artists.

Hull House – 800 S Halsted St.

Located on the University of Illinois campus, The Hull House serves as a museum and memorial to Jane Addams and her life’s work. Addams was one of the most important and influential women in history, dedicating herself to social activism and furthering women’s rights. Built in 1889, it contains tons of history about Chicago and the people and ideas that helped found them.

Museum of Contemporary Art – 220 E Chicago Ave.

Free on Tuesdays for Illinois residents, the Museum of Contemporary Art is a non-collecting gallery with changing exhibitions. It features painting, photography, and sculpture from contemporary artists. The building itself has a visually and architecturally interesting staircase and display rooms.

Garfield Park Conservatory – 300 N Central Park Ave.

Known for its tropical fern room, the Garfield Park Conservatory is located on a 184 acre park in the west side of Chicago. This horticulture haven houses thousands of different types of plants and a Monet garden, modeled after the artist’s residence at Giverny.

Harold Washington Library Center – 400 S State St.

The ideal place to explore the rich history of Chicago is at the Harold Washington Library Center. An operating public library, it has many uses besides that. Classes, exhibitions, and seminars all take place here for the people to use. A vast genealogy database is even available to cardholders, along with tons of archived newspapers and publications.

Lincoln Park Zoo – 2001 N Clark St.

One of the oldest zoos in the country and one of few that is free, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a dynamic and well-loved part of Chicago. It has a wide variety of animals, with over 230 species and 1,200 creatures. Highlights include the Waterfowl lagoon, Kovler lion house, and McCormick bird house.

Maggie Daley Park – 337 E Randolph St.

Maggie Daley Park is the perfect place to take younger kids because it features an extensive playground on 20 acres of land. It also has a huge climbing wall, mini golf, a skating ribbon, picnic groves, and tennis courts. A whole day could be spent enjoying this park, or it could just be a spot to stop and eat lunch. Either way, it’s worth a visit.

Botanic Garden – 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL

A Rose garden, an English Oak meadow, a Japanese garden, and thirty more unique gardens and natural areas are all part of the Chicago Botanic Garden. North of downtown Chicago by 25 minutes, it is the perfect place for a change of pace from the concrete jungle with a picnic retreat or a walk in the woods.

Tip: Check online for days when the Art Institute, Field Museum, and other destinations around the city hold free admission days. These happen more often for Illinois residents and students, so be sure to bring your student ID for discounts in many places downtown.