This Guide has been generously sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a vibrant and fun restaurant that serves delicious and nutritious smoothies, wraps, and bowls. With a beachy and tropical atmosphere, you'll feel like you're on vacation while enjoying your meal. The menu is full of fresh ingredients and bold flavors that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing smoothie or a hearty wrap, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has something for everyone. So come on in and treat yourself to a taste of the tropics!
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Northside locations in Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Roscoe Village, and Wicker Park
It is great to see your teenagers gain some independence. However, along with that tends to come their need for their own money. There are so many places in Chicago that offer special discounts to teenagers that you should know about so they can stretch those entertainment dollars out. These discounts are great for when you want to bring the whole family to an event as well.
Food
Visit any of the Northside Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations above and students will receive a free side of fruit or chips with the purchase of a smoothie. Just mention this guide and present your student ID.
Theater
Teen Arts Pass (TAP)
TAP allows teens to experience live arts performances all around Chicago for only $5. Includes theaters such as The Goodman Theatre, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Lookingglass Theatre Company.
Auditorium Theatre Student Rush Ticket
For Auditorium Theatre 2024-25 Season performances, $20 college student rush tickets are available the week of the show.
Blue Man Group
$35 rush tickets for students are available day of show at the Briar Street Theatre box office. Student ID required. Two tickets available per student ID.
Broadway in Chicago
Offers $39 day-of-show student rush tickets for certain plays that can be purchased at the box office with a valid student ID. There is also the digital lottery or the $25 on the 25th program.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The theater specializes in the works of Shakespeare and like-minded dramatists, old and new. Discounted tickets are available to anyone under 30, and there are a limited series of student matinees for high school students.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra offers discounted student tickets for various concerts. Student tickets usually become available 1-4 weeks ahead of the concert date with newly eligible concerts typically added on Thursday afternoons. Students can also subscribe to a Create Your Own series of three or more performances and save 30-50% off standard ticket prices.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra participates in the Teen Arts Pass (TAP) initiative, which allows teens to experience live arts performances all around Chicago for only $5. Teens can register for free at teenartspass.org.
Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Ballet offers discounted student tickets for performances with a valid student ID.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company
The Steppenwolf Theatre Company has a slate of ticket options for every situation—including twenty $20 tickets to every performance, half-priced rush tickets, Pay-What-You-Can Tuesdays, and exclusive discounts for students ($15 tickets to any show.)
Steppenwolf is also a proud arts partner of the Teen Arts Pass (TAP) initiative, which allows teens to experience live arts performances all around Chicago for only $5. With TAP, all Steppenwolf performances are now available to young people ages 13–19 years for $5. Teens can register for free at teenartspass.org.
Movies
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
BFD Tuesdays - $7 tickets every Tuesday. Ticket discount applies to regular priced 2D, non-event Tuesday shows only, subject to availability. Some exclusions apply including select blackout periods, special events, private parties, movie parties, marathons, and feasts.
AMC Theatres
Student discount tickets are available online, in the app, as well as at the Box Office, for select showtimes.
Gene Siskel Film Center
Students and youth under 18 are an $8 admission with student ID.
Regal Movie Theater
They often have student discounts on different days and times. As well as many Regal Crown Club offers for all ages.
Museums
Art Institute Of Chicago
Chicago teens age 14-17 are free, as are all children.
Chicago History Museum
Illinois residents 18 and under are free.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Tickets are free for anyone under the age of 18.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Illinois students are $10 with valid student ID.
Sporting Events
Chicago Blackhawks
Student RUSH tickets are now available. Sign in with an active ".edu" email address to receive special ticket offers via text. Additionally they sell Family Packs that include a food and beverage credit equivalent to one hot dog, one drink and one buttery popcorn.
Chicago Bulls
Basketball season is in session! College students are eligible to receive special ticket offers for every Bulls home game. Purchase tickets starting from just $20. The Bulls also offer Family Ticket Packs.
Chicago Cubs
CUBS U Program
College students 18 years of age or older who are actively enrolled in a recognized college or university and have a valid .edu email address are eligible to receive last-minute ticket offers from the Cubs. To participate, interested college students can text CUBSU to 88019 to opt-in or complete the registration form linked.
School Night Special Value Offer
Treat your family and friends to a night at the ballpark with the School Night Special value offer! Tickets as low as $14 include: One Terrace Reserved Outfield Corner ticket, One regular hot dog, and One beverage (regular soda or bottled water only.)
Other Entertainment
Bowl for Free at Waveland Bowl
From May 1 - September 30 kids ages 2-15 can bowl two free games between the hours of 9am and 4pm seven days a week. Advance registration required.
Gyms
Planet Fitness
Teens age 14-19 can work-out for free over the summer. Parents don't even need to be members.
YMCA of Metro Chicago
The YMCA offers Youth Memberships for ages 11-18 as well as Parent-Child (one adult and one child under 19) and Family memberships (two adults and two children under 19.)
Shopping
Microsoft Products
K-12 and higher education students, parents, and faculty are eligible year-round for an education discount up to 10% off select products, including Surface devices.
Nike
Nike offers a 10% discount to high school students age 16 and up, as well as college students.
Transit
Amtrak
Students between the ages of 17-24 save 15% on all travel, while kids 2-12 may travel at 50% off the adult fare.
CTA
Reduced fares on buses and trains are available for ages 7-11 inside and outside of school hours. Students ages 12 and up receive a reduced fare during student fare hours (M-F 5:30am-8:30pm) Student fares available via a Student Ventra Card.
Metra
Full-time students enrolled in grade school or high school can purchase a Reduced Fare One-Way, 10-Ride or Monthly Pass as part of a state-supported program. On weekdays, children ages 7 to 11 save 50 percent over One-Way fares. On weekends and select holidays, kids ride FREE with Metra's Family Fares. Up to three children age 11 and under ride free with each fare-paying adult. Family Cars are available on weekends and non-rush hour weekday trains. Family Fares are also available on weekdays during the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
If you know of other deals for students/teens that we should know about, please email debraf@macaronikid.com
