Find an event
Free museum days in 2013
Travel through space at the Adler Planetarium.
It's no secret that family outings can come with a hefty price tag. Luckily there are plenty of free days at Chicagoland museums to enjoy throughout the year.
Adler Planetarium
(1300 S Lake Shore Dr, 312-922-7827, adlerplanetarium.org)
Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID.
June 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12
September 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25
October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30
November 5, 6, 12 and 13
Art Institute of Chicago*
(111 S Michigan Ave, 312-443-3600, artic.edu/aic)
*Illinois residents with ID receive free admission the first and second Wednesday of every month. And Illinois residents receive a $2 discount off general admission on other days, in recognition of the tax money used to support the Art Institute.
Admission is free for Illinois residents every Thursday from 5–8pm.
(3300 Golf Rd; Brookfield, 708-688-8000, czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home)
Stay tuned for free days that will be offered in October.
Active military personnel receive free admission daily. Parking $10.
Chicago Botanic Garden
(1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe; 847-835-5440, chicagobotanic.org)
Free admission daily. Parking $25 per car, $30 per van, and $10 for senior citizens on Tuesdays. Free parking is available for active military personnel and non-active Illinois POWs. The Metra Union Pacific North line stops just outside the gates, which means you can avoid parking if you're up for a train ride with the fam.
Chicago Children's Museum
(700 E Grand Ave, 312-527-1000, chicagochildrensmuseum.org)
Free Thursday evenings from 5–8pm. The first Sunday of every month is free for children 15 and younger.
Chicago History Museum
(1601 N Clark St, 312-642-4600, chicagohistory.org)
Free for children 12 and younger daily.
2013 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID.
Clarke House Museum
(1827 S Indiana Ave, 312-326-1480, clarkehousemuseum.org)
Free admission every Wednesday, year round.
DuSable Museum of African American History
(740 E 56th Pl, 773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org)
Free every Sunday, year round. Free admission for all CPS students on school days. Children younger than five are free.
The Field Museum
(1400 S Lake Shore Dr, 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org)
2013 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID. City of Chicago residents receive discounts off admission, in recognition of tax money given to the museum.
Discount Days are on hold until May.
The Crown Family PlayLab is free with Basic admission and is open Thursday-Monday, 10am-4pm.
Glessner House Museum
(1800 S Prairie Ave, 312-326-1480, glessnerhouse.org)
Free admission every Wednesday, year round.
