Chicago Museum Free Days

While it’s fun to explore with your little ones, the price can certainly add up. I’ve rounded up information on free days at some of Chicago’s top kid’s museums. In addition to these Free Days, you can also visit any Chicago Public Library to check out a Museum Pass – see the end of this post for details.

Art Institute:
February Free Days – admission is free every day in February!
Thursdays are always free from 5:00–8:00.

Shedd Aquarium
February 15-19 free general admission.
Other Monday/Tuesday free days this year are:
Feb. 1, 2, 8, 9, 22, 23
Sept. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30

Field Museum
Free admission the 2nd Monday of each month
There are additional free days throughout the year. Here’s all of 2010’s free days: January: 11th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th
February: 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th
March: 2nd, 8th, 3rd
April 12th
May 10th
June: 2nd, 3rd, 14th
July 12
August: 9, 24th
September: 13th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd
October: 5th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th
November: 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 30th
December: 1st, 7th, 8th, 13th 15th, 16th

Museum of Science & Industry
January 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
February 8, 14
March 18
April 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
May 3
June 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
August 30
September 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
October 4, 5, 6
November 11
December 6

Chicago Children’s Museum
The first Sunday of every month is free admission for ages 15 and under.
Kraft Free Family Night is every Thursday from 5-8pm, free admission for everyone.

Museum of Contemporary Art
Free on Tuesdays.

Notebaert Nature Museum
Thursdays are “suggested donation days.”

Chicago Botanic Garden
Always free.

Chicago Cultural Center
Always free.

Lincoln Park Zoo
Always free.

National Museum of Mexican Art
Always free.

The ChicagoKids.com weekly newsletter always provides a few "Budget Bets" for every weekend, highlighting events that are free or easy on your wallet. Make sure you sign up to get these delivered to your inbox every Thursday.