Hold on to your hard-earned savings.
While Chicago begins to settle into a solid layer of frost for the winter, the museums are just getting warmed up. Big names and lesser-known galleries alike are opening their doors to the public for a much-needed change of pace. Here’s the complete list of Museum Free Days this winter.
Adler Planetarium
January and February carry with them plenty of free days for America’s first planetarium. Take note that this is only free for Illinois residents.
January: 4-8, 11-12, 15, 18-22, 25-29
February: 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29
Art Institute of Chicago
Illinois residents can enjoy free admission every weekday from January 4th to February 11th The world’s best museum also offers free admission to Illinois residents every Thursday from 5-8 pm throughout the year.
Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo is free to all Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout January and February.
Chicago Botanic Garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden is always free.
Chicago Children’s Museum
Similarly to the Art Institute, Chicago Children’s Museum is free every Thursday evening from 5-8 pm.
Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum is free to Illinois residents every weekday throughout January and February. Children 12 and younger are always free.
Clarke House Museum
This museum is free throughout all of January and February.
DePaul Art Museum
The DePaul Art Museum is free every day.
DuSable Museum of African American History
Every Sunday throughout the year, The DuSable Museum of African American History offers free admission.
The Field Museum
Admission to The Field Museum is free to all on January: 3, 13, 18, 23, 24. It’s also free to Illinois residents every day of February.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Free every day.
Loyola University Museum of Art
This museum is free every Tuesday throughout the year.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MCA is free to Illinois residents every Tuesday year-round.
Museum of Science and Industry
Illinois residents can enjoy free admission on the following days:
January 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
February 29
Additional free days begin again in June.
National Museum of Mexican Art
The National Museum of Mexican Art is always free.
National Veterans Art Museum
Free 365 days of the year.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
While Thursdays are technically free to Illinois residents, a suggested donation helps keep things running smoothly.
Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd offers plenty of free days throughout January and February.
Jan: 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 22-26
Feb: 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29
Smart Museum of Art
The Smart Museum of Art is always free.