Student Discount Discovery
Don’t let a college student budget stop you from having a good time! One of the best things about being a college student in the city is discovering all of the cool things you get a discount on.
My name is Autumn and I’ve made it my mission to compile a list of some of the coolest places that offer students a great time without spending every dime they have. So grab your student ID and get ready for an adventure!
-
Blue Man Group
Address: Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N Halsted St.
Deal: If you have $35 (cash or credit) and a valid college ID or ISIC card, bring them to the box office or call at 773.348.4000. Provided there are some seats left, they'll sell you a college student ticket. That’s nearly half off a full price ticket!
Post: Blue Man Group has been around for over 20 years, but the Chicagoland staple is always performing new songs and skits.The blue men are as entertaining and fascinating and will keep you laughing and thinking long after the show is over. Bring your college ID to the box office and as long as there are seats available you’ll receive your ticket for only $35. Not bad for a night out with your friends or a spontaneous date night!
-
Banana Republic
Address: 744 N Michigan Ave.
Deal: Get 15% off your entire purchase (in-store only) with a valid student ID
Post: It’s vital to look your best when you walk into an interview. You want to fit the part but you can’t exactly afford those luxury brands yet (that’s why you need to nail those interviews!). Do what I did and stop by Banana Republic for a luxury look that won’t break the bank. They even have a new option for you to reserve the pieces you find online in the store! No more scouring the store for an item you saw online. It will be waiting for you to try on and buy when you arrive! These pieces are definitely worth the price and are a great investment for those big interviews. There is almost always a sale to look forward to plus when you show your valid college ID in store, you get 15% off your entire purchase!
-
Art Institute of Chicago
Address: 111 S Michigan Ave.
Deal: Free admission to most Chicago college students
Post: Free admission to most Chicago college students including access to the featured exhibition is definitely one of the biggest perks of going to school in the city! I had the pleasure of visiting the museum when the new Tarsila do Amaral: Inventing Modern Art in Brazil exhibit (running now until January 7th, 2017) first opened. The art was a colorful and interesting must-see just as all the exhibits at the museum are.
There are multiple ways to enhance your experience at the museum including a feature in their Art Institute of Chicago app. You can now take an audio tour with just your phone and some headphones and not have to worry about going to the information desk to rent the equipment. There’s even an audio tour Visions of America narrated by cast members from Hamilton. As of right now, the app is only available for the iPhone. Another way to experience the museum is through JourneyMaker. JourneyMaker is a fun digital tool that allows you to create your own tour of the museum and print it out to carry with you! It’s suggested that you use it with kids 3-12 but anyone can enjoy this feature. I sure did!
You can find more information about the Mobile App and JourneyMaker here.
-
Wendella Boats
Address: 400 N Michigan Ave.
Deal: 50% off w/college ID
Post: Home to the infamous Chicago Architecture Tour, Wendella Boats offers a variety of cruises and tours to its guests. Take the Sunset Cruise with that special someone,or learn more about the city’s legendary architecture on the Chicago Architecture Tour. There’s a tour or cruise for everyone to enjoy! If you are a college student, you get a generous 50% off your ticket when you purchase at the ticket booth and show your valid school ID. The boats depart from The Wrigley Building and Trump Tower so you even get in a little Magnificent Mile sightseeing while you’re waiting to board. Every Chicagoan should take a tour of the city by boat at least once and Wendella is the perfect place to start!
-
Connie's Pizza
Address: 2301 S Lakeshore Dr.
Deal: 15% off w/college ID
Post: No blog about college discounts would be complete without a deal on pizza! Stop by a Chicago favorite Connie’s Pizza and check out their specials on those delicious pizzas. Whether you want just cheese or every topping available, Connie’s can hook it up for you. Don’t forget to bring your ID with you as some schools receive 15% off their entire order!
