2023 Chicago Museum Free Days

Many Chicago area museums offer FREE days for families! Please note that special exhibits and features may not be included in the free general admission. See individual museum web sites for details. And check back as more free days are added for this year.

Always call ahead to doublecheck! 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 to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from January 9 – March 24, 2023.

Brookfield Zoo
General Zoo Admission is free January-February 2023 on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Chicago Botanic Garden
Free for Illinois Residents, Active-Duty Military and U.S. Military Reservists and Former POWs on select datest - Visitors can preregister up to two months in advance for free admission days. January 9-16; February 5-10, 20; March 6 – 10; April 10 – 13; May 9, 11; June 13, 15, 19; July 11, 13; August 8, 10; September 12, 14; October 9-10, 12; November 6-12; December 11-17. Parking fees apply.

Chicago Children's Museum
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays between Jan. 9 – March 24, 2023.

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 16–20, 24–27, 31
February 1–3, 7–10, 14–17, 20–24, 28.

Clarke House Museum
Admission is always free.

DuSable Museum of African American History
Admission is free to all every Wednesday.

Field Museum
Illinois residents with proof of residence may enjoy free general admission on the following days:
January10, 11, 16-18, 24-25, 31
February: 1, 7-8, 14-15, 20
March 7, 14

John G. Shedd Aquarium
January 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
February 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28

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.

Museum of Science and Industry
Jan. 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, 30–31
Feb. 1–2, 6–9, 13–14, 16, 21
March 1, 6, 14
April 18, 22
May 4, 9, 17–18
June 1, 6–7
Aug. 22, 28–29
Sept. 5–6, 11–12, 15, 18–20, 26
Oct. 4–5, 9, 16–17
Nov. 1, 8

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

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Illinois residents can enjoy free admission during these Suggested Donation Days, or support us with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission.
January 5, 12, 19, 26.

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..