Free Days for Chicago-Area Museums

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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. You're on your own in the gift shop. 

*Free days can change at the last minute, so ALWAYS call first to confirm before heading out to the museums. 

City

Adler Planetarium

Note: Adler Planetarium is closed until further notice.

The Art Institute of Chicago 

Note: The Art Institute is will reopen on July 31.

July: 30-31

August: 1-3

Kids 14 and under and Chicago teens under 18 are always free. 

Chicago History Museum 

July: 23-31

Free 2-9 p.m. on Tuesdays.* Illinois resident children under 18 are always free. Non-Illinois residents 12 and under are always free.

*Excludes Dec. 17, 24 & 31. 

Chicago Children's Museum 

Note: Chicago Children's Museum is closed until further notice.

Free the first Sunday of every month for kids 15 and under. Always free to kids under 1. 

DuSable Museum of African American History 

Note: The DuSable Museum is closed until further notice.

Free on Tuesdays. Kids 5 and under are always free.

The Field Museum

Note: The Field Museum will reopen to the general public on July 24. 

Lincoln Park Zoo

Always free. Must reserve tickets in advance. 

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum 

Note: McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum is closed until further notice.

Free on Sundays. 

Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago 

Note: MCA Chicago will reopen on July 24.

July: 24-31

August: 1-31

Free on Tuesdays for Illinois residents; kids 18 and under are always free. Also free the second Saturday of the month (October-May) for families with kids 12 and under.

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago 

Note: MSI will reopen on Aug. 1. 

August: 1-14

National Museum of Mexican Art

Note: The National Museum of Mexican Art is closed until further notice.

Free admission daily. 

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 

Note: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is closed until further notice.

Free Thursdays for Illinois residents. Kids under 3 are always free. 

Shedd Aquarium 

Note: Illinois Resident Free Days have been postponed. 

Smart Museum of Art 

Note: Smart Museum of Art will reopen on July 24.

Always free. Must reserve tickets in advance. 

Suburbs

Elmhurst History Museum 

Always free. Must reserve tickets in advance. 

Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center

Participates in the Bank of America Museums on Us Program (see below). No other free days offered at the moment. 

Midway Village Museum 

TBA. 

Wilmette Historical Museum 

Always free. Must make appointments in advance. 

Other

Bank of America Free Days 

Have a Bank of America card? Then on the first full weekend of each month present your card and get free admission to various Chicago area museums (see website for details). 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. 

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This post is updated regularly.