Many local museums and cultural destinations offer Free Days each year to make an affordable visit as attainable as possible. We've gathered a list of the 2024 Free Days that are currently available to you and your family at Chicago area Museums.

Please note that special exhibits and features may not be included in the free general admission. Always check your destination's information ahead of time, as the following information may change without notice.

Adler Planetarium
Admission to Adler Planetarium is free for Illinois residents every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm. Teachers and active duty military are free every day.

Art Institute
Admission at the Art Institute Chicago is free for Illinois residents on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays Jan. 8 through Mar. 22, 2024.

Brookfield Zoo
General Zoo Admission is free Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from January 2 – February 29, 2024.

Chicago Botanic Garden
Free with preregistration for Illinois Residents Jan 8-15; Feb 4-9, 19; Mar 18-22; Apr 8-11; May 7, 9; June 11, 13, 19; Jul 9, 11; Aug 6, 8; Sept 10, 12; Oct 1, 2, 14; Nov 4-8, 11, 12; Dec 9-15. Ticketed events not included. Always free admission with NO registration required for Active-Duty Military; U.S. Military Reservists and Former POWs; LINK and WIC cardholders and Illinois Educators with IDs. Parking fees apply.

Chicago Children's Museum
No Free Days in 2024.

Chicago Cultural Center
Always free.

Chicago History Museum
Children ages 18 and under who are Illinois residents are always free. Free days for all Illinois residents:
January 15–19, 23–26, 30–31
February 1–2, 6–9, 13–16, 19–23, 27–29
March 12, 27–28

DuSable Museum of African American History
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center is free to visit on Wednesdays. Free admission is always available to military and to first responders - Police, Fire, EMT’s - wth valid ID.

Field Museum
For Illinois Residents, every Wednesday in 2024 is free. Tickets for Free Wednesdays are only available on-site and cannot be reserved in advance.

Illinois Holocaust Museum
The Museum offers free admission to all on the last Friday of January, February, and March in 2024. Reserve your Free Day tickets online.

John G. Shedd Aquarium
Reserve your tickets in advance.
January 9 - 16, 23 - 25, 30, 31
February 1, 6 - 8, 13 - 15, 20 - 22, 27 - 29
Plus 2024 Free Tuesday Evenings:
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.:
March 5, 12, 19, 26;
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
May 7, 14, 21, 28;
June 4, 11, 18, 25

Mindworks - the Science of Thinking
Free and open to the public, book your visit online.

Museum of Contemporary Art
Admission is FREE for Illinois residents on Tuesdays year round, and always free for ages 18 and under. Also free for Family Days once per month.

Museum of Science and Industry
Illinois residents receive free general admissions Museum Entry on the following dates:
Jan. 9 22-24, 28-31
Feb. 5-8, 11-15, 20-22, 26-29
April 21

National Museum of Mexican Art
Free Admission Every Day. Open Tuesdays to Sundays.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Every Thursday that the museum is open, Illinois residents can reserve their Donation Day tickets online or in person. Illinois residents can enjoy free admission during Donation Days, or support the museum with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission.

Smart Museum of Art
Always free.

Swedish American Museum Center
Members and children under the age of one are always free. Admission is free for all on the second Tuesday of the month.