Chicago is a city rich in diverse culture, music and art, educational museums and events. The city provides various forms of entertainment for children, adults and families. Even teenagers can find interesting activities to enjoy throughout the city. Along with traditional theater and concert events, Chicago also provides a host of free activities designed specifically for teens and young adults.
Most teenagers have access to a bike, which can be used for travel in and around the city of Chicago. Biking provides good exercise and free transportation. It is faster and easier to navigate the city on bike than by foot. With more than 20 miles of lakefront biking trails winding along the shores of Lake Michigan, teens can choose a bike route that is scenic and refreshing, even in warmer temperatures.
Chicago offers many parks for residents and visitors. Millennium Park is a 25-acre park located on Michigan Avenue, and is the most prominent park in the city. Along with free outdoor concerts, festivals and space for picnicking or sunbathing, the park also boasts a large ice skating arena, water fountains, lush gardens and interactive public art sculptures and displays. Chicago's Lincoln park offers walking trails, along with baseball, volleyball and basketball courts.
Teens who like museums can enjoy free passes on certain days throughout the year. Or you can pick up a Kraft Great Kids Museum Passport from the Chicago Public Library. Chicago residents aged 14 and older can use the passport for free admission to the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History and the Chicago History Museum.
Chicago offers plenty of free concerts and festivals throughout the year. The Edible Audible Picnic is a series of free concerts held in Millennium Park each summer day at noon. Concert offerings and performing artists throughout the city are constantly changing. Upcoming events can be found listed on the city website at cityofchicago.org.
For teens who enjoy skating or BMX biking, Chicago provides several free skate parks. Wilson Skate Park offers a mixture of ramps and steps, bowls, obstacles and pools for the new and experienced skater. Teens can sit and watch the tricks and stunts, or they can bring skates and skateboards and give the obstacles a whirl. Logan Square Skate Park was newly constructed in 2009 with modular obstacles installed on a concrete base. Both Wilson Skate Park and Logan Square Skate Park are also open to BMX bikers.
