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Plan your next museum outing around these upcoming free days.
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.
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Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Thursday 5pm-9pm, May 18-August 31, 2023.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Kids under 14, Chicago teens under 18, active military, LINK and WIC cardholders (and anyone in their households) and Illinois educators.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: August 29; September 5, 9, 12, 19, 26; October 3, 9, 10, 17, 24, 31; November 7, 10, 14, 29; December 5, 12.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military and Illinois teachers.
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.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Tuesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Anyone under 18, Illinois teachers, active military, police and firefighters.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Wednesday 4pm-10pm, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Chicago teachers, active military.
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.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents: Every Thursday, $10 suggested donation.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military (and their families) and Illinois teachers.
Upcoming free days: Free admission for all visitors on the last Friday of every month.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 5, Link cardholders.
Upcoming free days: Every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military, Link cardholders, first responders, Illinois public school students.
Upcoming free days: Every Wednesday, year-round.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active military and children under 6.
Upcoming free days: Every Thursday; admission to the library is free year-round.
Upcoming free days: The second Tuesday of every month.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 1.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children ages 12 and younger.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children under 2 and active, reservist and retired military.
Upcoming free family days: September 28; October 26.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Active and retired military.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Link cardholders, active military, Chicago police officers, Chicago firefighters and Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin teachers.
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Children ages 3 and under, Link cardholders (up to four people per card).
Free entry year-round for the following groups: Tribal members, children under 3.
Free admission daily with reservation (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).
Free admission daily (closed Mondays) with a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
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