
The one problem with all of these great institutions is that they can be expensive. A trip to the Shedd Aquarium can cost a family of 4 over $100. Luckily, for Illinois residents at least, there are free days at many of these museums.
The following is a list of the free days at many of Chicago’s museums in 2016.
The Shedd Aquarium:
January: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
February: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29
June: 6, 7, 13, 14
September: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
October: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
November: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
The Field Museum:
January: 3, 13, 18, 23, 24;
February: 1-29
Museum of Science & Industry:
January: 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
February: 29
June: 1-3, 6-8
September: 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
October: 4-6
November: 3, 10
December: 1
Adler Planetarium:
January: 4-8,11,12,15,18-22, 25-29
February: 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29
The Art institute of Chicago:
General admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Museum of Contemporary Art:
The MCA Chicago is free for Illinois residents every Tuesday all year long.
Chicago History Museum:
Free for Illinois residents Monday through Friday during the months of January and February.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum:
Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents. You can pay as much as you like, including going for free.
Loyola University Museum of Art:
Free every Tuesday for Illinois residents.
Chicago has several great institutions that are always free:
They include: the Lincoln Park Zoo, Smart Museum of Art, and the Chicago Cultural Center.