Free Days at Chicago Museums
Chicago's museums are some of its top attractions, and for good reason. They're world class, but seeing them all can put a big divot in your budget. Fortunately, there are several free days at Chicago museums throughout the year. While general admission is free on those days, special exhibitions usually require a paid ticket.
Adler Planetarium- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- January: 9-12, 17, 18, 23-26, 31
- February 1, 6-9, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
- March: 6, 7
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- Free 1st & 2nd Wednesdays of the month for Illinois residents
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Always free
- Neighborhood: West Suburbs
- January: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays
- February: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays
- Always free for Military Personnel
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- 1st Sunday of every month free admission for children 15 and under
- Free Thursdays 5pm to 8pm for everyone
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- January 16
- February 5 - 29
- Free days for Illinois residents only
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile/Streeterville
- Always free
DuSable Museum of African American History:
- Neighborhood: Bridgeport
- Free on Sundays
Field Museum of Natural History:
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- January 11 - 13, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27, 31
International Museum of Surgical Science:
- Neighborhood: Gold Coast
- Free on Tuesdays for 1st two floors
Jane Addams Hull House Museum:
- Neighborhood: University Village
- Always Free
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- Always Free
Loyola University Museum of Art:
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Free on Tuesdays
Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art:
- Neighborhood: North Suburbs (Evanston)
- Always Free
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Free on Tuesdays for Illinois residents
Museum of Contemporary Photography:
- Neighborhood: South Loop
- Always Free
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- January 12, 13, 16 - 20, 23 - 27, 30, 31
- February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- March 5
National Museum of Mexican Art
- Neighborhood: Pilsen
- Always free (donations accepted)
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Always free (donations accepted)
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum:
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- Free on Thursdays (donations suggested)
The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Always free
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- January 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 25 - 28, 30, 31
- February 6, 7, 13, 14, 19 - 23, 27, 28
- June 17 - 22
- September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
- October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
- November 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Always Free
Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Always free
- Neighborhood: Andersonville
- Free on second Tuesday of every month
- Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
- Always free, suggested donation of $5
Comments
Shedd aquarium
Is the free dat the Shedd on Feb 6 only for IL residents? I am going to be in town that day, seems like out of town visitors would be enticed in the off season by that deal as well!
They're only for Illinois
They're only for Illinois residents. They changed that in the last few months, unfortunately for visitors!
does one have to be local?
do you need a local ID or anything? we are coming from out of state...
Not for the free days!
Not for the free days! Chicago residents get reduced admission at some of the museums, and to receive that you need an ID, but during the free days you just walk right in.
Thank you!
Thanks so much for posting this! I have it it my favorites and I take my 2 kids any chance I get! What a wonderful city we live in!
My pleasure! I'm glad you're
My pleasure! I'm glad you're able to take advantage of all Chicago has to offer!
Thanks so much for this -
Thanks so much for this - great resource!!
Awesome! I haven't been there
Awesome! I haven't been there in ages - looks like it's time to go back!
Great list! One to add:
Don't forget the National
Don't forget the National Museum of Mexican Art! Donations are accepted, but it's always free.
http://www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org/