Free Fun Activities to do Around Belmont Cragin and Portage Park

By: Alexandra Brown

The weather is officially starting to warm up, as spring comes in full swing. Belmont Cragin and Portage Park have lots of fun activities to do to make the most of spring.

Kick off the warmer months by taking a stroll through the iconic Portage Park right along Irving Park Road. Portage Park is home to paved bike paths, courts for tennis and basketball, free drawing and painting class on Wednesdays and many other activities. 

Additionally, there is an indoor ADA accessible pool that you can take a swim in. Open Monday-Saturday, Portage park offers an array of open swim and class times.

Head over to Portage Grounds Coffee & Tea right across the street for refreshments and to support a local business that has been a part of the community for over a decade.

Sneak peek at what Riis Park will look like soon as the weather continues to warm up. Photo Credit: Alexandra Brown

Take a walk through the arboretum-like paths in Riis Park to experience beauty and serenity. You may come across a duck pond that you can walk over on a bridge. Take advantage of the shaded grass field to soak in the nice weather or have a picnic with friends.

Riis Park houses courts for sports ranging from basketball, tennis, track, and more. You can stop at one of the food carts to grab a bite to eat like elote or mango with tajin. There is free parking off on the southside of Wrightwood Avenue.

Chicago Public Library’s West Belmont and Portage Cragin branches are great places to not only get ahead for finals in, but also a hub for free opportunities.

In addition to checking out books, you can use a Chicago Public Library card to stream TV shows and movies, go to museums, get access to a language learning app, and reserve music practice rooms all for free.

Belmont Cragin and Portage Park are prominent neighborhoods for Wright College students. They are cultural hubs in Chicago with lots of free activities to engage members of their communities as warmer weather rolls in.