by Michelle Moore

Created on: January 17, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

A weekend getaway is a great way to relax and escape life's stress or just get away from the everyday monotony. How about a trip to Chicago? Chicago is filled with many adventurous sights for all different lifestyles and budgets.

Let's start with the Sears Tower. This is one of the tallest buildings in the world. You can take an elevator to the top and see 40-50 miles on a clear day from the sky-deck, with views of Lake Michigan and all around Chicagoland.

If you like to shop, then you'll really enjoy Chicago's Magnificent Mile. There you will find shops for everyone from Abercrombie to Whitehall Co. Jewelers and everything in between like Hershey's, Harley Davidson and Nike, just to name a few.

For the sports fan there's something for every season. Purchase tickets to a game at Wrigley Field and watch those lovable losers, the Cubs, at one of the oldest professional baseball stadiums in the United States. Or you could go to the other side of town to U.S. Cellular Field and watch a White Sox game. If football is your sport, you can watch the Bears at the new Soldier Field. Or venture over to Chicago Stadium for a Bulls basketball game or Blackhawks hockey game.

Navy Pier is full of attractions for both adult and family entertainment. The Bud Light Stage has live music all summer long and there's never a cover charge. Other free attractions include the Crystal Gardens and the Smith Stained Glass Museum. The Family Pavilion has free entertainment the whole family can enjoy like jugglers, clowns, magicians, and more. The Chicago Children's Museum is also housed at Navy Pier for great fun and education combined.

If you plan to visit the Museum of Science and Industry, allow for a whole day, you'll need it in order to see all of it's many exhibits. One of the biggest exhibits is the U-505 German submarine which was captured in 1944 during World War II by the United States.

Chicago has a number of free museums for the frugal or traveler who is on a budget. Here is the name of just a few: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, The Oriental Institute Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Photography.

Another great free attraction in Chicago is the Lincoln Park Zoo. Keep in mind, although admission is free, there is a fee for parking.

Another great freebie in the city of Chicago is their free trolley system. The free trolleys connect to many of Chicago's most popular destinations.

Chicago is a great city to visit whether you like to shop, visit museums, or enjoy entertainment and a lot can be seen and done on any budget.

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