Visiting Chicago can be expensive, especially when you come with the entire family. The expenses can really add up fast between luxe hotels and posh eateries. Even though Chicago has a great City Pass that helps you save up to 50% off the top five attractions, you seriously can’t beat free. These no-pay-days usually run more often in the winter months and on special days in the summer for Illinois residents, so if you live in the Land of Lincoln, be sure to flash your state ID. Now that we saved you some serious cash, now you can splurge in the gift shop (your kids will thank us!).
Here is the list of the 2020 free entrance days (Discount Days) to museums in Chicago.
Field Museum
fieldmuseum.org
Jan. 20, 22, 29
Feb. 1 – 29
Museum of Science and Industry
msichicago.org
Illinois residents receive free general admission on the following dates:
Jan. 6 – 9, 13 – 16, 20 – 23, 27 – 30
Feb. 3 – 6, 10 – 13, 18 – 20, 24 – 27
Alder Planetarium
adlerplanetarium.org
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 Shedd Aquarium
Jan. 16 – 20
Feb. 3 – 7, 10 – 14, 17 – 21, 24 – 28
June 15, 16, 22, 23
The Art Institute Of Chicago
artic.edu/aic
Admission is free for Illinois residents from 5–8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Chicago teens enjoy free admission and all kids under 14 are free.
Chicago Children’s Museum
smuseum.org
First Sunday of each month free admission for visitors 15 and under.
While you are in Chicago, check out 10 things everyone has to do. There’s so much to experience in summer as well as winter! Some of our favorite immersive museums to visit besides the Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute include the wndr Museum and Hebru Brantley’s Nevermore Park in Pilsen.
