FREE Chicago Museum Days 2018
As a family of five, outings into the city can quickly add up, so every January I update this list of FREE Chicago museum days to add to our yearly calendar. Friends, it is a lifesaver for our family, and with ticket prices going up year after year, it’s also a budget-saver.
If you are an Illinois resident, Chicago resident, educator, military personnel, firefighter, police, or student, you may be eligible to visit these 47 Chicago-area museums (compiled with information directly from museum websites) on the best possible days and on the best possible deals of 2018 too – when they’re FREE.
Make sure to check any museum website before your visit for cancelations, to familiarize yourself with additional program fees and parking fees, and to make sure that you have the appropriate identification with you to qualify for free days.
Most Popular & Museum Campus
Adler Planetarium
1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60605 | 312-922-7827
FREE general admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 3, 4, 7-12, 15-19
February 2, 5-9, 19-22
June 21
August 27-31
September 9-16
October 8, 21, 24, 25
November 11, 12, 14, 15
December 1, 3-7, 10
Other FREE Deals
* Free general admission for ILLINOIS teachers (pre-k – 12) and active MILITARY PERSONNEL with proper ID. See website for more information.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Navy Pier | 700 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 | 312-527-1000
FREE Deals
* Free admission for ALL visitors every Thursday 5PM-8PM.
* Free admission for visitors 15 AND UNDER on the first Sunday of each month.
* Free admission for VETERANS and ACTIVE MILITARY every day with ID.
* One free admission (from 1PM through close) for EDUCATORS, MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS, and STUDENT visitors unaccompanied by a child visitor.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Field Museum of Natural History
1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 | 312-922-9410
FREE basic admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 3, 4, 15, 27, 28
February 1-28
June 20-22
Other FREE Deals
* Active MILITARY PERSONNEL and ILLINOIS teachers (pre-k through 12) receive complimentary Basic admission to the museum.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637 | 773-684-1414
FREE museum entry for ILLINOIS residents
January 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29-31
February 1, 5-8, 12-15, 20-22, 26-27
March 14
June 4-7, 11-12
September 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27
November 12
Other FREE Deals
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Shedd Aquarium
1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
FREE general admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 15, 18, 19, 22-26
February 2, 14
June 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19
September 4-30
October 3, 10
Bank of America/Merrill Lynch ATM, credit or debit card holders
Eligible for ONE free general admission on the first Sunday of the month.
January 7
February 4
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 2
October 7
November 4
December 2
Other FREE Deals
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
* Chicago POLICE and FIREFIGHTERS | Receive one free Shedd Pass with proper ID.
* Active-Duty US MILITARY PERSONNEL | Receive one free Shedd Pass with proper ID.
* EDUCATORS | Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd Pass by registering online.
Nature Museums, Farms & Zoos
Check websites for special programs and scheduling (some additional fees may apply).
Brookfield Zoo
8400 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513 | 708-688-8000
FREE Deals
* General Zoo Admission is free on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through February 28, 2018.
* Free admission to all active, reservist, and retired MILITARY PERSONNEL with valid ID.
* Free admission for ALL to Hamill Family Play Zoo through February 28, 2018.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 | 847-835-5440
Free daily admission for ALL, parking fees apply.
Emily Oaks Nature Center
4650 Brummel Street, Skokie, IL 60076 | 847-677-7001
Free daily admission for ALL.
Fischer Farm
16W680 Old Grand Ave., Bensenville, IL 60106 | 630-766-7015
Free for ALL
Wednesdays & Fridays 9AM-3PM
Thursdays 1-5 PM
Saturdays 9AM-1PM
Gardens at Cantigny
1S151 South Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189 | 630-668-5161
Free daily admission for ALL, parking fees apply.
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 North Central Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624 | 312-746-5100
Free daily admission for ALL, street parking available.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614 | 312-742-2000
Free daily admission for ALL, parking fees apply.
Lurie Garden at Millennium Park
201 East Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60602 | Southeastern end of Millennium Park
Free daily admission for ALL.
Maggie Daley Park
337 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Free daily admission for ALL. Some program fees apply.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 | 773-755-5100
FREE Deals
* Thursdays are suggested donation days for ILLINOIS residents.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
The Grove
1421 Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview, IL | 847-299-6096
Free daily admission for ALL.
Wagner Farm
1510 Wagner Road, Glenview, IL 60026 | 847-657-1506
Free daily admission for ALL.
History Museums
Cantigny Park Museums
Robert McCormick Museum & First Division Museum
1S151 South Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189 | 630-668-5161
Free daily admission for ALL, parking fees apply.
The Museums are closed all of January and Monday-Thursday in February AND also closed on Mondays (except President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Columbus Day).
Charnley Persky House
1365 N. Astor Street, Chicago, IL 60610 | 312-573-1365
FREE Deals
* Free 45 minute tour for ALL on Wednesdays 12PM.
* ILLINOIS teachers admitted free with ID for the Saturday tour.
Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
FREE admission for ILLINOIS residents
* Every Tuesday from 12:30-9PM (except 1/2, 1/9, 12/18, and 12/25)
* Commemorative Days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, March 4, & July 4
Other FREE Deals
* Free admission for CHILDREN 12 and under.
* Free to members of the Chicago History Museum, DuSable Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, and National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.
* Active duty MILITARY and all VETERANS with valid ID
* Active duty CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT with valid ID
* Active duty CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT with valid ID
* ILLINOIS TEACHERS with valid ID
* Blue Star Museum | Free admission to active duty MILITARY, ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, COAST GUARD, MARINES, NATIONAL GUARD, and RESERVE members with up to five family members Memorial Day through Labor Day.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Clark House Museum
1827 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
Free for ALL Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1PM and 2:30PM.
DuPage County Historical Museum
102 E. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187 | 630-510-4941
Free for ALL during general hours. Program and event fees vary.
Elmhurst Historical Museum
120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst, IL 60302 | 630-833-1457
Free for ALL during general hours. Some nominal fees for additional programs.
Glessner House Museum
1800 South Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616 | 312-326-1480
Free for ALL on Wednesdays.
Illinois Holocaust Museum
9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077 | 847-967-4800
Bank of America/Merrill Lynch ATM, credit or debit card holders
Eligible for ONE free general admission on the first full weekend of every month.
January 6-7
February 3-4
March 3-4
April 7-8
May 5-6
June 2-3
July 7-8
August 4-5
September 1-2
October 6-7
November 3-4
December 1-2
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601 | 312-977-0227
FREE Deals
* Free for ALL on Sundays between May and October. Additional program fees apply.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Art Museums
Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603 | 312-443-3600
FREE admission for ILLINOIS residents
Every Thursday 5-8PM.
Other FREE Deals
* STUDENTS | ANY child under 14 is always free. Chicago teens under 18 are free.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
* MILITARY PERSONNEL | Active-duty military and their families are free from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
* ILLINOIS EDUCATORS | Free admission available to current Illinois educators, including pre-K-12 teachers, teaching artists working in schools, and homeschool parents. Educators must register online to receive a voucher.
* Museums for ALL | LINK and WIC cardholders receive free general admission for themselves and their family.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Free daily admission for ALL.
City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower
806 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Free daily admission for ALL.
Ed Paschke Art Center
5415 W. Higgins Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630 | 312-533-4911
Free daily admission for ALL.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
220 South Cottage Hill Avenue, Elmhurst, IL 60126 | 630-833-1616
FREE Deals
* Free admission for ALL every Friday.
* Free to active members of the Armed forces any day the museum is open to the public.
Loyola University Museum of Art
820 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 | 312-915-7600
Free admission for ALL every Tuesday.
Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art
Northwestern University
40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208 | 847-491-4000
Free admission for ALL.
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611 | 312-280-2660
FREE Deals
* Free admission for ILLINOIS residents every Tuesday.
* Free for members of the MILITARY, POLICE and FIRE departments, and VETERANS
* Students 18 and under.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
National Veterans Art Museum
4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641 | 312-326-0270
Free daily admission for ALL.
The Renaissance Society – University of Chicago
5811 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
Free daily admission for ALL.
Smart Museum of Art – University of Chicago
5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 | 773-702-0200
Free daily admission for ALL.
Ethnic Art & History Museums
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637 | 773-947-0600
FREE Deals
* Free admission for ALL every Tuesday.
* Free for children under age 5.
* All MILITARY PERSONNEL, all branches receive free admission.
* All active or non-active duty personnel/POW’s (Illinois Residents) receives free admission.
* Great Kids Museum Passports \ Some Chicago Public Library branches offer Great Kids Museum Passports that may be checked out for two free adult and two free child general admissions.
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
3001 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201 | 847-475-1030
FREE Deals
* Free admission for ALL every first Friday.
* MILITARY Members free from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 West 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608 | 312-738-1503
Free daily admission for ALL.
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
3015 West Division Street, Chicago IL 60622 | 773-486-8345
Free admission Tuesday-Saturday for ALL.
Swedish American Museum
5211 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60601 | 773-728-8111
Free admission for ALL every second Tuesday of the month.
Other Museums
International Museum of Surgical Science
1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610 | 312-642-6502
Free for ILLINOIS RESIDENTS on Tuesdays.
Money Museum [Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago]
230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL | 312-322-2400
Free daily admission for ALL (Mondays-Fridays except on Bank holidays)
Northwestern’s Dearborn Observatory
2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208 | 847-491-3685
Free public observation 8-10PM every Friday evening. Reservations required.
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
104 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60603 | 312-374-9333
Free to visitors with active MILITARY ID.
Know of another FREE Chicago area museum day?
Leave a comment below or contact me directly to be included in this family-friendly list!