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Adler Planetarium
Photograph: Courtesy Adler Planetarium

Free museum days at the best Chicago museums

Plan your next museum outing around these upcoming free days.

Written by
Zach Long
,
Emma Krupp
&
Jeffy Mai
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Looking for an excuse to visit your favorite Chicago museum over the next few months? You’re in luck: Some of the city’s best attractions—including places like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum—offer free admission days to lure in visitors. And if you're a Chicago Public Library cardholder, you can also score free perks, including museum passes. Heads up that many of the spots on our list require proof of Illinois residence to qualify for free entry, but even if you’re an out-of-towner, you’ll find plenty of good options among a select list of museums that offer free admission year-round. So take a look through and start planning your next cultural excursion.

RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best things to do in Chicago

Free museum days in Chicago

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  • Museums
  • Science and technology
  • Hyde Park
  • price 2 of 4

Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: August 28, 29; September 5, 6, 10-12, 15, 17-20, 26; October 4, 5, 9; November 1, 8.

Free entry year-round for the following groups:  Active military, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers, Link cardholders (for up to two adults and six children under 18) and Illinois teachers.

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  • Museums
  • History
  • Lincoln Park

Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: August 15-17; September 4, 13, 27; October 9, 11; November 1, 29; December 13.

Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active and retired military, Chicago police officers, Chicago firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents ages 18 and under, non-Illinois residents ages 12 and under and City Colleges of Chicago students, faculty and staff.

 

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Swedish American Museum
  • Museums
  • History
  • Andersonville
  • price 1 of 4

Upcoming free days: The second Tuesday of every month.

Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 1.

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Chicago museums that are always free

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