Free Days Galore at Chicago Museums

Andrew is a great tour guide, when friends and family want to go to a Museum

Chicago has many wonderful museums and most of these museums have Free Days when admission is free to the public. Since it is often hard to keep track of the Chicago Museum Free Days going on throughout the year, I have compiled a list of the most popular Museum Free Days.

Despite what you read here, it is suggested that you contact the specific museum to ensure that their Free Days are still valid.

Chicago Museum Free Days - Updated August 5 2009

Adler Planetarium Free Days
The Adler Planetarium is open 9:30am - 6pm during the summer; 9:30am - 4:30pm otherwise;
Free Days 2009: May (Tues) 5, 12, 19 & 26; Jun 7-12; Sep 1, 8, 14-18, 22, & 29; Oct (Tues) 6, 13, 20, & 27; Nov (Tues) 3, 10, 17, & 24; Dec (Tues) 1, 8, 15, & 22 ;


Art Institute of Chicago Free Days
The Art Institute of Chicago is free to the public every Thursday and Friday evening from 5pm-9pm. Memorial Day to Labor Day 2009.
Free Days: May 16-22, 2009; Every Thursday and Friday evening 5pm-9pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day, 2009.


Field Museum Free Days
The Field Museum is Free (basic admission) on the Second Monday of every month, thanks to a donation from Target. Additional free days are also available.
Free Mondays 2009 (9am - 5pm): Jan 12th; Feb 9th; March 9th; April 13th; May 11th; June 8th; July 13th; Aug 10th; Sep 14th; Oct 12th; Nov 9th; Dec 14th;
Other Free Days: September: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 30th; October: 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th; November: 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th; December: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th;

MCA Free Tuesdays
The Museum of Contemporary Art has Free Days every Tuesday. Special events every week. The museum is open 10am - 8pm on these free days.
Free Days: Every Tuesday of 2009.


Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is free (basic entry) to the public on various dates throughout the year. The museum is open Mon–Sat: 9:30am-4pm; Sun: 11am-4pm; Omnimax-only tickets on Free Days are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children. Normal prices apply for other features;
Free Days 2009: Jan 5-31; April 22; June 1-5, 19; Oct 8, 9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30; Nov 11;

Shedd Aquarium Free Days
During Shedd Aquarium Free Days, general admission is free. Wild Reef admission is sold at a reduced rate. The aquarium is open Weekdays 9am–5pm and Weekends 9am–6pm.
Free Days 2009: 2009 Community Discount Weeks are on the following dates in June (14 through 19), and Oct. (4 through 9).
2009 Community Discount Days are on the following dates for Mondays and Tuesdays in September (21, 22, 28 and 29) October (2, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27) and November (2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, and 30)..


Children's Museum at Navy Pier - free Wednesday evenings and on Sunday afternoon.

Billy Graham Museum, Wheaton, IL
Be inspired - new exhibit featuring Ruth Bell Graham
There is no admission fee, any day
But there is a suggested donation: Adults $4, Adults, $4
Senior Citizens/Students $3
Children (12 and under) $1
Families $10

Kids Eat Free, Kid's Free Events and Museums in Chicagoland
Kids eat free in Illinois and USA