Discover these upcoming free museum days, but note that this list may not be comprehensive, and some museums may have new hours or ticketing procedures. To ensure accurate information, visit the museum's website before planning your trip to an activity, museum, or garden.
Kohl Children's Museum
Address: 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026
Free Museum Days: Free admission from 1 – 5 PM on Wednesdays
How to Redeem: Must show proof of Glenview residency at check-in
The Adler Planetarium
Address: 1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Free Museum Days: Wednesdays 4-10pm
How to Redeem: *free for all Illinois residents - must show proof of residency
The Art Institute of Chicago - Kids under 14 are always free!
Address: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Free Museum Days: Thursday evenings, 5–8pm, May 18–August 31, 2023.
How to Redeem: Free for all Illinois residents - must show proof of residency
Chicago Botanic Garden
Address: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
Free Garden Days: Must reserve online
- June: 13, 15, 19
- July: 11, 13
- August: 8, 10
The DuSable Museum of African American History
Address: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
Free Museum Days: Wednesday
The Field Museum
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Free Museum Days: June 6, 13, 19, 20, and 27
Tickets for free days are only available onsite and cannot be reserved in advance.
Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Address: 9603 Woods Dr, Skokie, IL 60077
Free Museum Days: Free admission to all on the last Friday of every month
Kids and Students free in June! Reserve online: https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/june-ks-free-tickets/
The Museum of Science and Industry
Address: 5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
Free Museum Days:
- June: 1, 6, 7
- August: 22, 28, 29
The Shedd Aquarium
Address: 1200 S DuSable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
June Night Dives @ The Shedd:
- June 13, 15, 20, 22, 27
- Hours: 5 – 9 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.)
- Advance ticket reservation is required to sneak a peek into life at the aquarium when it gets dark! Reserve your tickets now to save your spot and select your entry time.
Summer Free Days have not been announced yet
These Chicago museums offer free admission to everyone all year long:
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- National Museum Of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- National Veterans Art Museum
- Chicago Cultural Center
- Museum of Contemporary Photography
- Smart Museum of Art
- City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower
- Hyde Park Art Center
- Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
- Loyola University Museum of Art
- Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago