Visit Chicago museums on the best days of 2019 – WHEN THEY’RE FREE!

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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’re an Illinois resident, Chicago resident, educator, military personnel, firefighter, police, or student, you may be eligible to visit these 46 Chicago-area museums (with information compiled directly from museum websites) on the best possible days and on the best possible deals of 2019 too – when they’re FREE.

If you can’t make a free day…

Or do not qualify for resident perks, make sure to check out other discount deals throughout this post.

Want it in a PDF?

Download a January 2019 calendar with all the FREE Chicago museum deals listed in this post at the link below.

January 2019 FREE Chicago Museum Days

As a special thank you to newsletter subscribers, I’m offering the entire 2019 calendar with ALL 2019 Chicago museum deals as a downloadable PDF. **NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR 2019**

If you aren’t already signed up, you can do that HERE.

To help you find what you’re looking for…

Museums are listed categorically (and then alphabetically) under the following headings:

• Most Popular & Museum Campus
• Art Museums
• Ethnic Museums
• History Museums
• Military Museums
• Nature Museums, Farms & Zoos
• Science Museums

There are several museums that fit into more than one category so you’ll find them in both.

Before you visit…

It’s a really good idea to check any museum website for cancellations, to familiarize yourself with additional/special program and parking fees, and to make sure that you have the appropriate identification with you to qualify for free days.

Many of the smaller museums on this list are free for ALL on every day they are open. In an effort to consolidate information on this list, I have NOT included the museum hours of operation. Please check each museum website for their regular hours and days of operation.

We’ve learned (the hard way) that other city-wide events can have a significant affect on traffic and parking rates. Check out what’s going on in Chicago-area neighborhoods on free days, so you know what you’re getting into before you go :).

Additional free and discount programs…

Many of the museums on this list participate in additional programs that offer free or reduced price admission. While not notated specifically on this list, I highly recommend taking a minute to check these out if they apply to you:

• 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.
• Museums for All | Offering free or reduced price admission to those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits).
• Blue Star Museums | A free admission program available to those currently serving in the United States Military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, US Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.
• North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association | The NARM Association is one of the largest reciprocal membership programs in the world, with over 1,000 arts, cultural, and historical institutions along with botanical gardens, children’s museums, science and technology centers and more that offer their individual NARM qualified members reciprocal benefits.
• ACM Reciprocal Network | The ACM Reciprocal Network is a voluntary group of ACM member museums open across the US and Canada that reciprocate discounted admission to each other’s members.

On to Chicago’s FREE museum days for 2019!

Most Popular & Museum Campus

ADLER PLANETARIUM
1300 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO IL 60605 | 312-922-7827

FREE general admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 21-22, 29-31
February 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, 26-28
April 2-4, 9-11
June 3-5, 10-13
September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
October 7-9, 14-16
November 8, 11
December 2-3, 7, 12-13

Other FREE Deals
* Free general admission for ILLINOIS teachers (pre-k – 12) and active MILITARY PERSONNEL with proper ID. See website for more information.

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.
* Active-duty MILITARY and their families receive free admission 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.

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
NAVY PIER | 700 EAST GRAND AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60611 | 312-527-1000

FREE Deals
* 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, seven days a week) for EDUCATORS, MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS, and STUDENT visitors unaccompanied by a child visitor.

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
1601 NORTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60614

FREE admission for ILLINOIS residents
* Every Tuesday from 12:30-9PM (except 1/1, 1/8, 12/17, and 12/24)
* Commemorative Days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, March 4, & July 4
* Illinois resident CHILDREN under 18 are free every day

Other FREE Deals
* Non-Illinois resident CHILDREN 12 and under are free
* 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.
* 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.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
1400 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605 | 312-922-9410

FREE basic admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 21
February 1-28
April 5-7
May 2
June 26-28

Other FREE Deals
* Active MILITARY PERSONNEL and ILLINOIS teachers (pre-k through 12) receive complimentary basic admission to the museum.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
5700 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60637 | 773-684-1414

FREE museum entry for ILLINOIS residents
January 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31
February 4-7, 11-14, 19-21, 25-28

Other FREE Deals (see website for additional info)
* US MILITARY active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago FIREFIGHTERS, Chicago POLICE officers, and Illinois TEACHERS (pre-k through grade 12) receive FREE museum entry for themselves with ID.
* Illinois SCHOOL GROUPS on registered field trips, home school groups and families receive FREE museum entry.

SHEDD AQUARIUM
1200 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605

FREE general admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 17-21
February 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-28

Other FREE Deals (see website for additional info)
* 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.
* US military VETERANS | Receive FREE general admission on Monday November 12.
* EDUCATORS | Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd Pass by registering online.
* BANK OF AMERICA/Merril Lynch ATM, credit or debit card holders are eligible for ONE free general admission on the Sunday of the first full weekend of each month.

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.
* Active-duty MILITARY and their families receive free admission 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.

CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
78 E. WASHINGTON STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60602

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

CITY GALLERY IN THE HISTORIC WATER TOWER
806 N. MICHIGAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60611

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

ED PASCHKE ART CENTER
5415 W. HIGGINS AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60630 | 312-533-4911

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation 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.

THE BLOCK MUSEUM OF ART
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
40 ARTS CIRCLE DRIVE, EVANSTON, IL 60208 | 847-491-4000

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL. (reopening January 26).

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
* Free for STUDENTS 18 and under.

NATIONAL VETERANS ART MUSEUM
4041 N. MILWAUKEE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 | 312-326-0270

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

THE RENAISSANCE SOCIETY – UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
5811 S. ELLIS AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60637

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

SMART MUSEUM OF ART – UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
5550 S. GREENWOOD AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60637 | 773-702-0200

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL. Reopens January 28.

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) receive free admission.

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 (with ID, up to 5 family members)

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART
1852 WEST 19TH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60608 | 312-738-1503

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PUERTO RICAN ARTS & CULTURE
3015 WEST DIVISION STREET, CHICAGO IL 60622 | 773-486-8345

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation 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.

History Museums

CANTIGNY PARK MUSEUMS | ROBERT MCCORMICK MUSEUM
1S151 SOUTH WINFIELD ROAD, WHEATON, IL 60189 | 630-668-5161

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL, parking fees apply. Reopens February.

CANTIGNY PARK MUSEUMS | FIRST DIVISION MUSEUM
1S151 SOUTH WINFIELD ROAD, WHEATON, IL 60189 | 630-260-8185

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL, parking fees apply. Reopens February.

CHARNLEY PERSKY HOUSE
1365 N. ASTOR STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60610 | 312-573-1365

FREE Deals
* Free 45 minute tour for ALL (limited to 15 individuals) on Wednesdays 12PM from November through March.
* ILLINOIS teachers are always admitted free with ID (on offered tours from November through March).

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
1601 NORTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60614

FREE admission for ILLINOIS residents
* Every Tuesday from 12:30-9PM (except 1/1, 1/8, 12/17, and 12/24)
* Commemorative Days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, March 4, & July 4
* Illinois resident CHILDREN under 18 are free every day

Other FREE Deals
* Non-Illinois resident CHILDREN 12 and under are free
* 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.
* 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.

CLARK HOUSE MUSEUM
1827 SOUTH INDIANA AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60616

Free for ALL (limited to the first 15 people) Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1PM and 2:30PM.

DUPAGE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
102 E. WESLEY STREET, WHEATON, IL 60187 | 630-510-4941

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL. Program and event fees vary.

ELMHURST HISTORICAL MUSEUM
120 E. PARK AVE., ELMHURST, IL 60302 | 630-833-1457

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL. Some nominal fees for additional programs.

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
1400 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605 | 312-922-9410

FREE basic admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 21
February 1-28
April 5-7
May 2
June 26-28

Other FREE Deals
* Active MILITARY PERSONNEL and ILLINOIS teachers (pre-k through 12) receive complimentary basic admission to the museum.

GLESSNER HOUSE MUSEUM
1800 SOUTH PRAIRIE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60616 | 312-326-1480

Free for ALL on Wednesdays.

MCCORMICK BRIDGEHOUSE & CHICAGO RIVER MUSEUM
99 CHICAGO RIVERWALK, CHICAGO, IL 60601 | 312-977-0227

Free for ALL on Sundays between May 12 and October 29. Additional program fees apply.

Military Museums

CANTIGNY PARK MUSEUMS | FIRST DIVISION MUSEUM
1S151 SOUTH WINFIELD ROAD, WHEATON, IL 60189 | 630-260-8185

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL, parking fees apply. Reopens February.

NATIONAL VETERANS ART MUSEUM
4041 N. MILWAUKEE AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60641 | 312-326-0270

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY
104 S. MICHIGAN AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60603 | 312-374-9333

Free to visitors with active MILITARY ID.

Nature Museums, Farms & Zoos

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 from January 1-February 28, 2019.
* Free admission to all active, reservist, and retired members of the MILITARY with valid ID.
* Free admission for ALL to Hamill Family Play Zoo through February 28, 2019.

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
1000 LAKE COOK ROAD, GLENCOE, IL 60022 | 847-835-5440

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL, parking fees apply.

EMILY OAKS NATURE CENTER
4650 BRUMMEL STREET, SKOKIE, IL 60076 | 847-677-7001

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

FISCHER FARM
16W680 OLD GRAND AVE., BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 | 630-766-7015

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

GARDENS AT CANTIGNY
1S151 SOUTH WINFIELD ROAD, WHEATON, IL 60189 | 630-668-5161

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL, parking fees apply. Reopens February 1.

GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY
300 NORTH CENTRAL PARK AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60624 | 312-746-5100

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL, street parking available.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO
2001 NORTH CLARK STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60614 | 312-742-2000

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation 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 during normal hours of operation for ALL.

MAGGIE DALEY PARK
337 E. RANDOLPH STREET, CHICAGO, IL 60601

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation 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.
* Illinois teachers with a school ID can receive free admission for themselves when visiting alone or with friends and/or family.

SHEDD AQUARIUM
1200 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605

FREE general admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 17-21
February 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-28

Other FREE Deals (see website for additional info)
* 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.
* US military VETERANS | Receive FREE general admission on Monday November 12.
* EDUCATORS | Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd Pass by registering online.
* BANK OF AMERICA/Merril Lynch ATM, credit or debit card holders are eligible for ONE free general admission on the Sunday of the first full weekend of each month.

THE GROVE
1421 MILWAUKEE AVENUE, GLENVIEW, IL | 847-299-6096

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

WAGNER FARM
1510 WAGNER ROAD, GLENVIEW, IL 60026 | 847-657-1506

Free daily admission during normal hours of operation for ALL.

Science Museums

ADLER PLANETARIUM
1300 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO IL 60605 | 312-922-7827

FREE general admission for ILLINOIS residents
January 21-22, 29-31
February 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, 26-28
April 2-4, 9-11
June 3-5, 10-13
September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
October 7-9, 14-16
November 8, 11
December 2-3, 7, 12-13

Other FREE Deals
* Free general admission for ILLINOIS teachers (pre-k – 12) and active MILITARY PERSONNEL with proper ID. See website for more information.

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 during normal hours of operation for ALL.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
5700 SOUTH LAKE SHORE DRIVE, CHICAGO, IL 60637 | 773-684-1414

FREE museum entry for ILLINOIS residents
January 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31
February 4-7, 11-14, 19-21, 25-28

Other FREE Deals (see website for additional info)
* US MILITARY active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago FIREFIGHTERS, Chicago POLICE officers, and Illinois TEACHERS (pre-k through grade 12) receive FREE museum entry for themselves with ID.
* Illinois SCHOOL GROUPS on registered field trips, home school groups and families receive FREE museum entry.

NORTHWESTERN’S DEARBORN OBSERVATORY
2145 SHERIDAN ROAD, EVANSTON, IL 60208 | 847-491-3685

Free public observation 8-10PM every Friday evening. Reservations required.

Know of another FREE Chicago area museum day?

Leave a comment below or contact me directly to be included in this family-friendly list!

Don’t forget to download January’s calendar AND sign up for my e-newsletter to get a FREE downloadable PDF calendar of all the 2019 Chicago museum deals compiled from this post. **NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN 2020**