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2023 Free Museum Days

Posted  8 months ago  in  Trending, Family-Friendly, Fun for Free, Landmarks

1 MIN READ – Visiting the many renown museums in Chicago is always an enthralling experience, better yet is when admission is free! Plan your 2023 museum visits using the free day listings below.


Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium currently offers free admission for Illinois residents every Wednesday evening from 4 – 10 p.m.

The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is offering free general admission to Illinois residents on weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays) from January 9 – March 24, 2023. Additionally, admission is always free for children under 14 and Chicago teens under the age of 18.

Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier

Free Family Days in 2023 are the last Thursday of the month from January through May, as well as September and October. The Chicago Children’s Museum offers veterans and active military free admission every day with the presentation of valid military status identification

Chicago History Museum

Illinois residents receive free admission on the following days in 2023:

  • January 16 – 20, 24 – 27, 31
  • February 1 – 3, 7 – 10, 14 – 17, 20 – 24, 28
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 16)
  • Presidents’ Day (February 20)
  • Fourth of July (July 4)

 Field Museum

The Field Museum is offering free admission on these days in 2023:

  • January: 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
  • February 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20

Museum of Contemporary Art

Admission is free every Tuesday, and always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission, members of the military and police and fire departments and veterans, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers.

Museum of Science and Industry

Illinois residents receive free Museum Entry on these dates:

  • February 1 – 2, 6 – 9, 13 – 14, 16, 21
  • March 1, 6, 14 
  • April 18, 22
  • May 4, 9, 17 – 18
  • June 1, 6 – 7
  • August 22, 28 – 29
  • September 5 – 6, 11 – 12, 15, 18 – 20, 26
  • October 4 – 5, 9, 16 – 17
  • November 1, 8

Shedd Aquarium

  • February 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, and 28

Advanced reservations are required.

Museums with free general admission everyday: 

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