Free museum days at the best Chicago museums
Free museum days at Chicago's best museums can help you on save family outings and are great for holiday weekends
While many Chicago museums have changed their operating hours and safety procedures as they've reopened to the public, some are still offering free admission. That's good news if you're heading to Museum Campus after enjoying some things to do in the Loop—the price of admission can add up fast, especially if you're visiting multiple places in a single day. Keep in mind that many institutions have switched up their hours, rescheduled long-standing weekly free days and introduced online reservations that are required for entry. You may have to jump through a few more hoops than usual, but enjoying free museum days in Chicago is worth the trouble. Remember to bring along a face mask and keep your distance from others!
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Free museum days in Chicago
1. The Field Museum
Active military personnel and Illinois teachers receive complimentary admission.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents include: October 5, 8, 19, 22, 26 and 29
2. Shedd Aquarium
Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID. Free tickets must be reserved online.
Upcoming free days for Illinois residents include: October 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28
3. Art Institute of Chicago
Fee to children under 14 and Chicago teens under 18 at all times.
4. Brookfield Zoo
Free admission is always available for active, reserve and retired military personnel with proper ID.
5. Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Botanic Garden offers free admission daily, though you'll need to preregister online if you're driving and pay parking fees ($25 per car, $10 for senior citizens on Tuesdays, $30 per van, $65 per limousine, minibus, bus and RV). The Metra Union Pacific North line stops just outside the gates, which means you can avoid parking fees if you ride the train.
6. Chicago History Museum
Free for non–Illinois resident children 12 and younger.
7. Glessner House Museum
Tours are always free to members of the museum and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, but reservations are required.
8. International Museum of Surgical Science
Children ages 3 and under always receive free admission.
Illinois residents receive free admission on the following days: November 30–December 4; December 7–11, 14–18
9. Leather Archives and Museum
While this museum devoted to leather, BDSM, kink and fetish probably isn't appropriate for children, adults can enjoy free admission to the collection every Thursday.
10. Lincoln Park Zoo
Free admission daily, online reservations required.
11. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
Free admission every Wednesday, year round. Active military personnel and children under 7 receive free admission daily. Parking is also free.
12. McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum
Free admission daily for Friends of the Chicago River members and children five and younger.
13. Museum of Contemporary Art
While suggested fees are posted, the MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy—no visitors are turned away. Free for military personnel and veterans, members of police and fire departments and children 12 and under.
14. Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is not offering Illinois Resident Discount Days at this time.
15. Smart Museum of Art
Free admission with timed reservation.
16. Swedish American Museum
Free admission on the second Tuesday of each month.
Find more museums in Chicago
The best Chicago museums
Whether you're visiting the city for the first time or you're a local looking for something to do on your day off, Chicago museums are can't-miss destinations. You'll find world-class institutions throughout the city, including collections devoted to contemporary art, natural history and science that are among Chicago's best attractions.