Posted 21 months ago in Trending, Family-Friendly, Fun for Free, Landmarks
1 MIN READ - Chicago is home to a wide array of world-class museums, featuring everything from art to science, from animals to history.
Hitting up all of them could get pricey, but Chicago residents do have the opportunity to pay nothing at all thanks to free days. Plan your 2020 museum visits using the free day listings below.
Adler Planetarium
January 7-9, 20-22
February 4-6, 11-13, 17-20
March 9-12
April 20-23
May 10-16
June 2, 9, 16
August 22-23, 31
September 1-4
October 12-15
November 11, 17-19
December 4-6
The Art Institute of Chicago
General admission is free to Illinois residents every Wednesday from 5-8 p.m.
Admission is always free for children under 14
Museum admission is free for Chicago teens under the age of 18
Weekdays from January 27-March 4
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Chicago Cultural Center
Every day of the year offers free admission and free on-the-spot tours
Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier
Thursdays 5-8 p.m.
The first Sunday of every month
Every day of the year for kids younger than 15
Chicago Fed's Money Museum
Every day of the year
Chicago History Museum
Every Tuesday 2-9p.m., except December 17, 24, and 31
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President’s Day
March 4
July 4
Every day of the year for Illinois residents younger than 18
Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield Zoo
Free admission is offered to all active, reservist, and retired members of the military who present a valid ID.
Design Museum of Chicago
Every day of the year
DePaul Art Museum
Every day of the year
DuSable Museum of African American History
Every Tuesday. Military personnel and children under 5 also receive free admission
Field Museum
January 8, 15, 20, 22, 29
February 1-29
International Museum of Surgical Science
January 13-20, 20-24
February 3-7, 10-13, 17-21
November 30
December 1-4, 7-11, 14-18
Lincoln Park Zoo
Every day of the year
McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum
Every Sunday while the museum is open from May to October
Every day for children younger than 5
Museum of Contemporary Art
Every Tuesday
Museum of Contemporary Photography
Every day of the year
Museum of Science and Industry
Illinois residents receive free Museum Entry on these dates:
January 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
February 3-6, 10-13, 18-20, 24-27
June 1-3
August 24-26
National Museum of Mexican Art
Every day of the year
National Veterans Art Museum
Every day of the year
Pritzker Military Museum and Library
April 6
May 9, 23, 25
June 14
July 4
August 4
September 11, 18
October 13
November 10, 11
December 7, 13
Shedd Aquarium
January 16-20
Every weekday in February
June 15, 16, 22, and 23
Swedish American Museum
Every second Tuesday of the month
Every day of the year for kids younger than 1
This list will be updated as more information becomes available.
