Chicago’s museums are world-class, but all those bones, weather simulators and rides in Chicago’s first El train car don’t come cheap. Throw in parking, special exhibits and the gift shop, and it adds up fast.
But in the philanthropic spirit of our fine city, most museums offer free admission for Illinois residents on certain days.
Here’s a complete calendar for the next few months for free museum days. You’re on your own in the gift shop. Looking for more fun things to do with kids in Chicagoland? Check out our weekend picks!
City
Adler Planetarium
Free on Wednesdays 4-10 p.m.
Art Institute of Chicago
- January 2024:Â 8, 11-12, 15, 18-19, 22, 25-26, 29
- February 2024:Â 1-2, 5, 8-9, 12, 22-23, 26, 29
- March 2024:Â 4, 7-8, 11, 14-15, 18, 21-22, 25
Kids under 14 and Chicago teens under 18 are always free.Â
Chicago Children’s Museum
2024 Dates TBA
Chicago History Museum
- January 2024: 15–19, 23–26, 30–31
- February 2024: 1–2, 6–9, 13–16, 19–23, 27–29
Always free for Illinois residents under age 18 and all children under 12
DuSable Museum of African American History
Illinois Public School students in K-12 are free.
Field Museum
- January 2024: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- February 2024: 7, 14, 21, 28
- March 2024: 6, 13, 20, 27
- April 2024: 3, 10, 17, 24
- May 2024: 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- June 2024: 5, 12, 19, 26
- July 2024: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
- August 2024: 7, 14, 21, 28
- September 2024: 4, 11, 18, 25
- October 2024: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- November 2024: 6, 13, 20, 27
- December 2024: 4, 11, 18
Lincoln Park Zoo
Always free.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Free on Tuesdays for Illinois residents, kids 18 and under are always free.
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Always free. Must reserve tickets in advance.
Museum of Science and Industry
- January 2024: 22-24, 28-31
- February 2024: 5-8, 11-15, 20-22, 26-29
- April 2024: 21
National Museum of Mexican Art
Always free.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Free admission every Thursday for weekly donation days. $10 optional donation suggested.
Shedd Aquarium
- January 2024: 9-16, 23-25, 30, 31
- February 2024: 1, 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29
Also free on Tuesday evenings between 5-9 p.m. from March 5-June 25.
Suburbs
Brookfield ZooÂ
- January 2024: 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30
- February 2024: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29
Check the Brookfield Zoo website for the latest updates.Â
Chicago Botanic Garden
- January 2024: 8-15
- February 2024: 4-9, 19
- March 2024: 18-22
- April 2024: 8-11
- May 2024: 7, 9
- June 2024: 11, 13, 19
- July 2024: 9, 11
- August 2024: 6, 8
- September 2024: 10, 12
- October 2024: 1, 2, 14
- November 2024: 4-8, 11, 12
- December 2024: 9-15
Note: Free admissions are not applicable during ticketed events.Â
Elmhurst History Museum
Always free. Must reserve tickets in advance.
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
- January 2024: 26
- February 2024: 23
- March 2024: 29
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts
Free on Wednesdays. Children under 7 are always free.Â
Mascot Hall of Fame (Whiting, Indiana)
Free the first Friday of every month in 2024.Â
Wilmette Historical Museum
Always free.
Other
Bank of America Free Days
Have a Bank of America card? Simply present your card on the first full weekend of each month and get free admission to various Chicago area museums. One per cardholder, so it won’t be free for the entire family (unless each of your children has a credit card), but a free adult admission is nothing to sneeze at.
Museums For All Initiative
A fun day out at the museum isn’t always super fun for your wallet. Through Museums for All, families that receive food assistance can take advantage of free or significantly discounted admission for up to 4 people when they present their SNAP EBT card. With more than 40 participating museums in Illinois, there’s no shortage of exciting discoveries to be had.
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