Free Days at Local Museums

Enjoy free admission to Chicago museums on Illinois resident discount days in October. (Dates are subject to change, so please confirm dates with each museum.)

Adler Planetarium

  • October 8, 21, 24 & 25

Art Institute of Chicago

  • Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Chicago Botanic Garden

  • Always free; parking is $20/car, $25/van

Chicago Children’s Museum

  • First Sunday of every month for children 15 and younger
  • Target Free Family Nights, Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Chicago History Museum

  • Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

DuSable Museum of African American History

  • Tuesdays

Lincoln Park Zoo

  • Always free

Museum of Contemporary Art

  • Tuesdays

National Museum of Mexican Art

  • Always free

National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture

  • Always free

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

  • Thursdays

Shedd Aquarium

  • October 3 & 10

In partnership with Museums in the Park, we offer free Kids Museum Passports to cultural institutions.

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