2019 brings with it a whole new batch of museum free days! Be sure to check out these two amazing programs for other ways to save and enjoy your favorite Museums for much less, Museums for All and Blue Star Museums. What new museum will you check out this year?
Illinois residents can enjoy free Basic admission on Field Museum Discount Days. On these Discount Days, Illinois residents may upgrade to a Discovery Pass for $16 or upgrade to an All-Access Pass for $23.
40 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Schingoethe Center of Aurora University
1315 Prairie Street, Aurora, IL 60506
630-844-7843
230 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60604
The Big 6 Chicago Museums
1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 60605
312-922-7827
These are Illinois resident discount days
- 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
- Chicago residents under the age of 18 can get into this museum for free any time. Children age 14 years and younger are always free.
- Free admission every Thursday 5-8PM to Illinois residents
700 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
312-527-1000- First Free Sunday - Free admission for visitors 15 and under on the first Sunday of each month
1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
312-922-9410
Illinois residents can enjoy free Basic admission on Field Museum Discount Days. On these Discount Days, Illinois residents may upgrade to a Discovery Pass for $16 or upgrade to an All-Access Pass for $23.
- January 8,15,20,22,29
- February 1-29
Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60637
773-684-1414
These are Illinois resident discount days
5700 S. Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60637
773-684-1414
These are Illinois resident discount days
- January 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
- February 3-6, 10-13, 18-20, 24-27
- January 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
- February 3-6, 10-13, 18-20, 24-27
Art Museums
- Free admission the first Friday of the month
847-491-4000
- Free daily admission
Design Museum Of Chicago
Expo 72, 72 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
- Free daily admission
1220 Kensington Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
630-833-1616
- Free admission every Wednesday
- Free admission every Tuesday
- Free admission every Tuesday for Illinois residents
600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605
- Free daily, but is closed when Columbia College is closed.
4041 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60641
312-326-0270
- Free daily admission
5550 S. Greenwood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637
773-702-0200
- Free daily admission
Ethnic Museums
740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637
773-947-0600
- Free admission every Tuesday
1852 West 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608
312-738-1503
- Free daily admission
1155 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
773-702-9514
- Free daily admission
Schingoethe Center of Aurora University
1315 Prairie Street, Aurora, IL 60506
630-844-7843
- Free daily admission
5211 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60601
773-728-8111
- Free admission every second Tuesday of the month
History Museums
First Division Museum (at Cantigny)
1S151 South Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
630-668-5161
- Free daily admission to museums, $5 parking fee per car
1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
312-642-4600
Illinois resident discount days
- The Museum is free to Illinois residents every Tuesday* from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Commemorative Days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, March 4, and July 4. *Excludes December 17, December 24 and December 31.
1827 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616
312-326-1480
- Free daily admission
102 E. Wesley Street Wheaton, Illinois 60187
630-510-4941- Free daily admission
120 E. Park Ave. Elmhurst, IL 60126
630-833-1457- Free daily admission
- Free to Illinois residents on Wednesdays
630-256-3400
- Free admission when open
800 S. Halsted Chicago, IL 60607-7017
312-413-5353
- Suggested donation of $5
- January 13-17, 20-24
- February 3-7, 10-13, 17-21
- November 30-4
- December 7-11, 14-18
6418 N. Greenview Ave. Chicago, IL 60626
- Admission is free every Thursday for those who are 18+.
312-322-2400
- Free daily admission
- Free general admission for Naperville residents. Discounted rate during the winter season (November-March)
2531 Sheridan Road Great Lakes, IL 60088
847-688-3154
- Free daily admission
Pritzker Military Museum and Library
104 S. Michigan Ave,Chicago, IL 60603
312-374-9333
104 S. Michigan Ave,Chicago, IL 60603
312-374-9333
- Days not announced yet. This will be updated as soon as they are shared.
American Toby Jug Museum
910 Chicago Ave. Evanston, IL 60202
- Free daily admission
Local Historical Societies & Museums
These local historical institutions usually have free admission, suggested donation or an extremely low fee which will usually include a tour. Since a majority these institutions are run by volunteers be sure to check what their hours are since sometimes they will only be open certain days of the week to the public.
Nature Museums, Farms & Zoos
8400 West 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513
708-688-8000
- Every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday between January 1 and February 29, 2020, free admission for all guests
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022
847-835-5440
- Free daily admission, parking fees apply
1S151 South Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
630-668-5161
- Free daily admission, $5 parking
300 North Central Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624
312-746-5100
- Free daily admission
5700 College Road Lisle, IL 60532
630-829-6569
- Free daily admission
2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
312-742-2000
- Free daily admission
2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
773-755-5100
- Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents
1421 Milwaukee Avenue, Glenview, IL
847-299-6096
- Free daily admission
1510 Wagner Road, Glenview, IL 60026
847-657-1506
- Free daily admission
***While this list is pretty comprehensive there are a number of museum's that don't advertise free/discounted days but you should definitely be sure to check them out as well because there are some amazing museums in the Chicago area***
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