Free With A Tourist Pass
If youre looking for another way to save some money on museum tickets, you may want to think about getting a Chicago attraction discount tourist pass.
These services allow you to pay one flat price for access to either a specific number of attractions or a set number of days in which you can enjoy dozens of popular activities.
Once youve paid for the pass, youll receive free access to all of the museums included with the service.
In addition to providing free or discounted admission to several museums, most passes also offer skip-the-line privileges at some locations.
The following Chicago museums are included with tourist passes:
Free Things To Do In Chicago
Want to do Chicago on the cheap? There are tons of free museums, cultural attractions, and things to do all over the city. Get a tour from a local, check out cutting-edge exhibits, catch a free classical concert beneath the worlds largest Tiffany dome all for no cost.
Here are 30 free things to do to add to your budget-friendly Chicago itinerary. And dont forget to check out free museum days throughout the year.
Are Chicago Museums Free On Tuesdays
There are many museums in Chicago that are free on Tuesdays. Some of these museums include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium. Tuesdays are a great day to explore all that Chicago has to offer without spending any money.
It will be free for Illinois residents to visit the museum on weekdays from January 3 to March 17, 2022. All active military personnel and veterans are welcome to visit the museum for free. Every year, children under the age of six and military personnel and first responders are always welcome to enter. Beginning on January 28, 2022, the Illinois Holocaust Museum will offer free admission the last Friday of each month. Every year, visitors to Lincoln Park Zoo can enjoy free admission for 365 days. Every Thursday at 2 p.m., the IMSS hosts free guided tours, while admission and parking are free all year at these Chicago museums. Anyone with a military ID, the Chicago police and fire departments, or children under the age of 18 are always welcome to visit the Pritzker Military Museum. There is also a free museum adjacent to Busy Beaver Button Museum open to the public.
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Note: Identification And Proof Of Illinois Residency Are Required For Free Days
Kids Museum Passport
This program, sponsored by the 15 Museums Work for Chicago institutions, allows individuals with a Chicago Public Library card to check out a pass for free general admission to the Art Institute. Please note the new rules regarding the use of the Kids Museum Passport:
- Each pass admits a maximum of four people for general admission, including special exhibitions.
- Each group using a pass must be accompanied by at least one child under the age of 18.
- A maximum of two adults are admitted on one pass.
Chicago Greeter Neighborhood Tours
The Chicago Greeter program pairs knowledgeable locals with Chicago visitors for an informal, insiders orientation of the city and its many vibrant neighborhoods. Through customized, guided walks you can sightsee all across the city based on your particular interest areas, from public art and architecture to food and films.
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Reserve Online In Advance
Illinois ResidentsThe Chicago Botanic Garden offers a number of Free Admission Days for Illinois residents each year.
Preregistration for nonmembers is required and will extend until the Garden is at capacity parking fees apply.
Visitors can preregister up to two months in advance for free admission days. See chart below for the 2022 Free Admission Days.
| Month |
Museums That Offer Free Days In Chicago
8. DuSable Museum of African American History
This place is amazing! It was very informative with regards to the black soldiers during the war & their contributions. The DuSable Museum has jazz in the park and there was plenty of jazz lovers there. The bands were fantastic and the weather was great.
There is free admission on every Tuesday.
Address: 740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637
Timing: Tuesday Saturday, Sunday
9. Chicago Childrens Museum
This place is renovated and the new exhibits are so cool. There is one that has to make music but they have ordinary things to make music like things we use every day and its so cool for kids. It is so interactive and yet simple yet intriguing.
Here the kids whose age is 15 or under are offered for free admission on every first Sunday of the month. Kids whose age is 1 and under are always free.
Address: 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Timing: Friday Wednesday, Thursday
10. Brookfield Zoo
Nice Zoo! However, for the admission, they should include some sort of souvenir or discount gift for next visit. On another note, the Zoo is pretty big and the parking lot is conveniently close by. Admissions process on a weekend was pretty quick.
Brookfield Zoo is free on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month of February.
Address: 8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
Timing: Monday Friday, Saturday Sunday
11. The Field Museum
Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Timing: Monday Sunday
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Shedd Aquarium 1200 S Lake Shore Dr 312
Illinois residents get access to permanent and special exhibits on select days throughout the year. Upcoming free days for 2022 include February 7-11 and 14-18. Advance reservations are required and there is a $3 per order transaction fee for Illinois free day tickets. Educators from Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana receive free admission as well as first responders, active military, veterans, and those receiving Federal food assistance.
What Day Is The Chicago Art Museum Free
Illinois residents can enjoy free admission to the Chicago History Museum on February 21, March 4, June 19, July 4, August 23-26, and September 30-October 10, 2022, in addition to the free days.
Numerous Chicago museums and cultural institutions have been recognized as among the best in the country. There are usually free days when these public institutions are open. Throughout 2022, there will be no paid days, with free days taking place on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The fee for non-Illinois residents under the age of 12 is free, while the fee for Illinois residents under the age of 18 is free. Illinois residents are given free basic admission and discounted passes to see ticketed exhibits. Free admission to the DuSable Museum is available Wednesdays, and it is always open to first responders and active military personnel. In addition to being the only museum dedicated to Puerto Rican history in the United States, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture serves as a research center for the Caribbean.
Smart Museum of Art, Swedish American Museum, and DuSable Museum of African American History are among the museums that participate in the Kids Museum Passport program. Customers who use a Bank of America credit or debit card can receive free museum admission nationwide. Check with each museum to see if they are still participating in the program.
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Free Admission No Advance Ticket Required
The following do not need to preregister in advance, including on Free Admission Days.
Active-Duty MilitaryThe Garden would like to thank our active duty U.S. military personnel and/or their families for their service with free admission for their family and free parking. Please present an ID at the entry gatehouse and at the entrance to the Visitor Center.
U.S. Military Reservists and Former POWs The Garden would like to thank U.S. military reservists and former POWs for their years of service with free parking and free admission for one person. Please present your ID at the entry gatehouse and at the entrance to the Visitor Center.
LINK and WIC CardholdersAs part of the Museums for All program, any visitor with a state-issued EBT card or WIC card and anyone in their households receive free admission and free parking. Please present your card at the entry gatehouse and at the entrance to the Visitor Center.
Illinois EducatorsIllinois primary and secondary educators receive free parking and admission for one educator per visit. Please present your valid educator ID at the entry gatehouse and at the entrance to the Visitor Center.
See Chicago’s History Unfold
FREE
Children
Were open and ready to share Chicago stories with you while continuing our health and safety procedures. As of March 1, 2022, Chicago History Museum visitors are not required to show proof of vaccination. While masks are recommended and appreciated, they are no longer required. Learn more.
We encourage visitors to purchase tickets in advance online.Discounts can only be applied on tickets purchased in person.
*Illinois Resident Children 18 and under are FREE
*Non-Illinois Resident Children 12 and under are FREE
2022 Illinois Resident Free Days: January 17 February 14, 9, 21 March 4 June 19, 23, 30 July 4 August 2326, 3031 October 10
Access to the Abakanowicz Research Center is by appointment only. Find more information here.
City of Chicago residents receive a $2 discount
Thank you to Wintrust for sponsoring free Museum admission for Illinois residents 18 & under
It pays to be a member. Admission is free for members of the Chicago History Museum, DuSable Museum, National Museum of Mexican Art, and National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.
Free admission is granted year round to the following audiences :
US Armed Services: All active duty military and all veterans
Chicago Police Department: All active duty
Chicago Fire Department: All active duty
City Colleges of Chicagostudents, faculty, and staff
Illinois Teachers
Park Voyagers: Must show your pass.
Kids Museum Passport Holders: Must show your pass.
Prices subject to change.
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Public Parks & Beaches
Chicago boasts hundreds of free public parks that cover over 8,000 acres of the city. Many feature wildlife havens like Northerly Island and North Pond Nature Sanctuary incredible landscape designs such as Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and Humboldt Parks prairie river and boathouse and athletic facilities such as the kayak boathouse in Ping Tom Memorial Park. You can also spend the day at one of the free public beaches, open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Various locations
Free Days At Chicago Museums
The following section will cover all of the locations in Chicago that have free museum days.
While some of these museums only offer admission to kids, others provide entry to everyone.
There are also some places that offer free museum days to Illinois residents, making it easier for locals to enjoy these attractions.
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All The 2022 Free Days At Museums In Chicago And The Suburbs
How lucky are we to be surrounded by world-class museums, zoos, and gardens throughout the Chicagoland area? While the Kidlist team loves exploring all there is to see at the Museum of Science and Industry, Brookfield Zoo, and more, we cant ignore the fact that the cost of these visits certainly adds up. These institutions have graciously opened their doors with the ultimate family-friendly price free! You wont worry about the price of admission, but make sure to check their websites for additional admission guidelines or restrictions.
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Intuit: The Center For Intuitive And Outsider Art
Established in 1991, Intuit is dedicated to presenting outsider art that falls outside the mainstream. It offers world-class exhibitions, a Permanent Collection with holdings of nearly 1,100 works of art, and educational programming for people of all interest levels and backgrounds. 756 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Fall 2022 Free Museum Days In Chicago
ADLER PLANETARIUM, ChicagoFree days: WednesdaysMuseum entry is free for Illinois residents every Wednesday from 4-10 p.m. Museum entry provides access to all exhibitions and experiences entry to sky shows can be purchased at a discounted rate at checkout. All tickets must be reserved online and in advance. Free day savings: $54
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGONo Illinois resident free days posted at time of publicationIllinois residents under 14 are always free with an adult. To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve them online in advance. Resident status will be verified using the zip code associated with the billing address provided.
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM, ChicagoFree days: Oct. 10Illinois residents 18 and under are always free. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online. Discounts can only be applied on tickets purchased in person. Free day savings: $38
FIELD MUSEUM, ChicagoFree days: Sept. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28 Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9For Illinois residents. Must show proof of residency you can only receive free admission in person. Free basic admission on Illinois Free Days is included discounts are available for upgrades, so free day can be a great time to do the upgraded stuff youve always wanted to do. See the website to plan your trip. Free day savings: $94
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Best Museums In Chicago
There are many great museums in Chicago, but some of the best include the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Shedd Aquarium. Each of these museums offer something unique and interesting, and are definitely worth a visit if youre in the city.
The Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, is the second largest art museum in the United States. Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Jasper Johns, and a plethora of other contemporary art superstars are among the many fine pieces on display at the MCA. The Museum of Contemporary Art is a tribute to Chicago architecture, with examples of prominent Chicago School buildings and buildings. The National Museum of Mexican Art houses a 10,000-piece permanent collection by artists from both Mexico and the United States. The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Milwaukee is a well-known photography museum in the Midwest. The Chicago Design Museum, which was originally intended to be a pop-up, has now relocated to Block 37 at the mall. The Chicago Architecture Foundation was founded in the 1960s.
City Gallery At The Historic Water Tower
This treasured landmark on The Magnificent Mile has been transformed into a free art gallery for rotating exhibits featuring local photographers and artists. Constructed between 1867 and 1869, the Water Tower was one of the few buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. 806 N. Michigan Ave.
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I Am An Illinois Resident But I Am Still Being Charged Full Price For A Free Day Online How Do I Fix This
If you are an Illinois resident trying to book a free-day visit online, you must select the Illinois resident check box when you enter the number of guests in your party to receive free general admission. Once you check the box indicating you are a resident, a separate set of drop-down menus will appear where you can enter the number of Illinois residents who will attend. If you enter your tickets in the regular tickets drop-down menu, the free-day offer will not be applied. Please note that a $3 transaction fee is charged to all Illinois Resident Free Day ticket reservations.
Get Your Entire Family Into Your Favorite Chicago Attractions For Free On Specific Days This Fall
Do you love visiting museums? Do you love visiting museums for free? Weve put together our list of special days when we know Chicago museums offer free admission this fall, from September through December of 2022.
Tip: Plan ahead January and February usually bring the most free day opportunities for Chicago museums. For more budget-friendly fall activities, .
Check for any COVID-related protocols before your visit, including whether masks are required or recommended, whether timed entry reservations are required, whether tickets are sold online only or also at the door, whether coat checks are operating, or whether concessions are open or closed.
The days listed below are mostly free for Illinois residents. That means you must provide valid Illinois proof of residency a drivers license or state I.D. usually suffices.
Weve also included the average free day savings for a family of four so you can see how beneficial these are to your family budget. For many museums, the kid price applies to children 3-11, but sometimes its 13 and under. Always look at the fine print.
Many of these free days happen on certain dates or days of the week. Remember, you might have the ability to go to a museum any day of the week and get a great discount, if you have a museum membership. Always ask about reciprocal agreements, such as the Nationwide Museum Passport Program.
And finally, another option to save money on your Chicago visit avoid parking charges and take the train.
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