You Get Fast Pass / Vip Entry
The cool thing about the Chicago CityPASS is that it includes Fast Pass or VIP entry to nearly every attraction listed. This is HUGE, especially when this can often mean skipping 2+ hours of standing in line to buy tickets at places like the Skydeck.
At the Shedd Aquarium you get All-Access admission, which includes access to special exhibits and the Stingray Touch experience, as well as a 4-D experience. At the Field Museum, you get VIP Entry and an All-Access Pass, including admission to all permanent and ticketed exhibitions, plus your choice of one digital 3D film.
You also get skip-the-line Express Entry at 360 Chicago , and Fast Pass Admission at the Art Institute of Chicago, too.
At the Museum of Science and Industry, you get regular admission plus your choice of one timed-entry experience. And at the Adler Planetarium your CityPASS gets you admission and access to two sky shows.
Art Institute Of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago offers select free admission days for Illinois residents throughout the year.
Upcoming free museum days for Illinois residents at the Art Institute of Chicago:
To receive free admission tickets, Illinois residents must reserve them online in advance.
The museum is always free for Chicago teens under the age of 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators.
The public can enjoy the following public museum areas free of charge:
- The Ryan Learning Center in the Modern Wing
- The North and South Gardens
- The Nichols Bridgeway connecting the museum to Millennium Park
- The Bluhm Family Terrace on the 3rd floor of the west pavilion of the Modern Wing
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Is It Suitable For Me
- Like exploring? Then, hurry and join us as we help you to thoroughly explore the Windy City, Chicago
- No specific age bar has been established for participation and everyone with a taste for adventure can join on this little venture.
- Bring along your little ones too as they will love their visit to the aquarium as well as the museums.
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Bank Of America Museums On Us Program
All visitors with an active Bank of America®, Merrill ® or Bank of America Private Bank® branded debit or credit card – physical or electronic/digital card – and an active, valid photo ID shall receive one free general admission to Shedd on select dates.
Bank of America Museums on Us returns in September.
Advance reservations are required. Click the link below to reserve tickets. Admission benefits are not transferable and are valid for the cardholder only. to purchase tickets for additional guests. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience .
Discounts At The Field Museum:
*Teachers from throughout Illinois receive free Basic admission.
*Families who qualify for state food assistance. Show an EBT or WIC card to receive $3-per-person admission for up to six people.
*Illinois residents receive free admission during a specific month of the year. See dates here.
*Residents who live within Chicago city limits can save $5 or more on the price of their ticket.
*Basic admission is complimentary for active military personnel.
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Field Museum Highlights Tour
This one-hour tour starts at 11 am daily, excepton Thursdays when it begins at 2 pm.
On this guided tour you will be taken through the highlights of this Museum including but not limited to Sue the T-Rex, man-eating lions of Tsavo, Egyptian mummies, etc.
You also get to learn about the Museums history and the ongoing science and research.
Some of the other free tours at Field Museum include
1. Tour of the Dinosaurs2. Evolving Planet7. Plants of the World8. All About SUE9. Gemstones, Gems, and Jewels10. Travel Through Africa
On the day of your visit, get the list of free tours of the day and their schedule from the Information desk at the main level.
Top Tips For Visiting The Shedd Aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is an indoor aquarium in Chicago that holds 32,000 animals! It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chicago, so it helps to plan the details of your visit ahead of time.
*Disclaimer: This information can change quickly, so I highly recommend double checking prices, times, safety guidelines, etc. on The Shedd’s website before your visit. I will do my best to keep everything up to date, but if you notice a change, please send me a message!*
Illinois Residents can get free entry to the Shedd Aquarium every Monday-Wednesday in September! Tickets must be reserved online before your visit and you must show proof of residency upon entry. Please click here to reserve your tickets.
What is it? The John G. Shedd Aquarium is one of the most visited aquariums in the United States and features coral reefs, beluga whales, sea lions, and other aquatic life exhibits. It’s located on Museum Campus right next to the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois. It holds 32,000 animals and 1,500 species. Permanent exhibits include the Abbott Oceanarium, Wild Reef, Caribbean Reef, Polar Play Zone, Amazon Rising, Islands and Lakes, Oceans, Rivers, At Home on the Great Lakes, Gardens, and Stingray Touch. The Terraces have some of the best views in Chicago!
Fun Facts:
Tips:
Recommended Ages: 0-100. Everyone loves The Shedd!
Getting There:
Roosevelt Red/Orange/Green Line Station:
The Shedd is about a 15 minute walk east from the Roosevelt station.
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Chicago Public Library: Kids Museum Passport
If youre a CPL cardholder and an adult resident of Chicago, you may check out a Kids Museum Passport at any CPL location. Each CPL location has a limited number of Kids Museum Passports for each museum. Your group must include at least one child under 18 for the Kids Museum Passport to be valid, and a maximum of two adults are admitted with each pass. Once you check out a Kids Museum Passport, please click the link below to reserve your visit date and time. Please show your online reservation and Kids Museum Passport when you arrive at your selected time. No tickets will be available onsite.
How To Get To Salvi Schostok & Pritchard Pc
Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago IL 60605. Its approximately 2 ½ miles from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., located at 161 N Clark St Suite 4700, Chicago, IL 60601. Use these directions to get to our office from Shedd Aquarium:
Take E McFetridge Dr to Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Dr/S Lake Shore Dr. Head west toward Special Olympics Dr. Make a slight right onto Special Olympics Dr. Turn right onto E McFetridge Dr. Continue on Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Dr/S Lake Shore Dr. Take E Jackson Dr, S Michigan Ave and E Randolph St to N Clark St. Use the right two lanes to turn right onto Jean Baptiste Point du Sable Lake Shore Dr/S Lake Shore Dr. Use the left two lanes to turn left onto E Jackson Dr. Turn right onto S Michigan Ave. Use the left two lanes to turn left onto E Randolph St. Turn right onto N LaSalle St. Turn right at the first cross street onto W Lake St. Turn right at the first cross street onto N Clark St. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. will be on the left.
If you have trouble locating our office, please free to contact us.
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Things To Do In Chicago With Kids
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
Filled with world-class museums, trailblazing architecture and expansive parks and gardens, the “City of Big Shoulders” is packed with activities that inspire and entertain young minds, no matter what the season.
You might not think of Chicago as a beach destination, but on summer days, and even through fall, the sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan becomes the city’s beloved playground. Families enjoy barbecues and splashing in the water, cyclists and rollerbladers ply the lakefront bike path and volleyball nets and paddle boards scatter the beaches.
Many Chicagoans will tell you that fall is their favorite season with warm temperatures, dramatic foliage, holiday spirit, and the start of a busy cultural and sporting events calendar. In winter, park meadows are flooded to create seasonal skating rinks and cosy leather booths beckon foodies to the city’s legendary steakhouses.
Overall, Chicago offers plenty of opportunities for recreation as well as fun and enriching activities and sights.
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To some extent, you may want to let the weather guide your visit. If you visit during summer and the humidity is brutal, get out on the lake or find some air conditioning at one of the Windy Citys wonderful science museums.
Free Museum Days In Chicago
Experience Chicagos award-winning museums, without spending a dime. Check out our ever-growing list of Chicago free museum days in 2021 and 2022, plus some of our museums that are free all year long.
Looking for other ways to save? Check out the Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card, which offers admission to several Chicago museums and attractions for one discounted price.
Heres a list of upcoming free Chicago museum days. Keep in mind that some museums may be operating with different hours and new ticketing procedures contact the museum to learn more.
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Griffin Halls Of Evolving Planets
In Griffin Halls, you get to know about each organismthat has ever walked on Earth.
See a variety of fossils, animated videos, etc., to learn about evolution from scratch.
Experience the educational journey from asingle-celled organism to humans.
In this section, you will see the fossil skeleton ofTyrannosaurus rex called Sue, Megatherium, a giant ground sloth, the TullyMonster, and Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old hominid.
What Type Of Id Do I Need For Illinois Resident Free Days Or The Chicago Resident Discount
All adults in your party are required to show a photo ID with an Illinois address to receive free admission on Illinois Resident Free Days or a Chicago address to receive the daily Chicago resident price children do not require proof of residency if they are accompanied by a resident adult with the appropriate ID. Current college and university IDs are valid proof of residency for students living in Illinois or Chicago while attending school.
If a residents photo ID does not list their current address in Illinois or Chicago, secondary documentation confirming residency will be accepted, including a utility bill, a bank statement, a lease agreement, a recent pay stub, or other official documentation that lists the residents full name and address in Illinois or Chicago. In this case, a photo ID is still required as well.
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Best Time To Visit The Field Museum
It is best to visit Field Museum in Chicago is as soon as they open at 9 am.
When you start early, you avoid the crowd and catch the museum staff conducting free guided tours when they are most energetic.
Since the Ancient Egypt exhibit gets the maximum crowd, it is better to explore it as soon as you enter the Museum.
If you are not a local, try avoiding the free days as the Museum is exceptionally crowded.
More Chicago Attractions To Visit With Kids
Use our guides to experience more Chicago Attractions for a great family vacation or Chicago Staycation. Theyll tell you everything you need to know before you go!
- Everything to do in Chicagoland with Kids All the fun in the City and Suburbs
I hope these tips will help you have a fun filled family day at the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History. It is one of the great Chicago Attractions and you will be so glad your family visited.
Do you have any questions or tips of your own? Please share with us in the comments.
If your looking for more family travel tips or fun things to do in Chicago make sure to join my newsletter and never miss a new destination. Bonus get my Ultimate Family Travel Checklist when you sign up.
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About Field Trips At The Museum Of Science And Industry:
Learning Labs, facilitated hands-on learning experiences aligned to Next Generation Science Standards. Led by a Museum educator, Learning Labs connect with classroom curriculum and engage students in thescientific process, and provide insight into STEM careers including:
Mission to Mars: Traveling to Space: Design, launch and land a rover on Mars. Includes a live video conference with a NASA expert. Live from the Heart: Talk with a surgical team while watching live open-heart surgery via video conference. MedLab: Heart Disease: Use an ultrasound simulator and complete real medical tests to diagnose heart disease in a human patient simulator. Jr. Science Cafés: Students talk with STEM professionals about their career paths and their personal journeys into science.
MSI also provides discounted tickets for all school groups to experiences including: Coal Mine, Giant Dome Theater films, U-505 On-board Tour and Future Energy Chicago.
Can I Reserve Free Day Tickets For Family Or Guests Who Are Visiting But Do Not Live In Illinois
Our Illinois Resident Free Days are only available to residents of the state of Illinois and does not apply to any guests from other states, even when they are visiting with an Illinois resident. Proof of residency, such as a state ID/drivers license, will be required at the time of arrival for all adults in your party .
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Museums Across The State
Many art and history museums across Illinois offer discounted admission to SNAP recipients as part of Museums 4 All, a federally funded program. Some of the Illinois museums participating in the program include the Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Chicago History Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Its a good idea to call ahead to ensure you can still receive free or discounted entry with your Link card and if there are any limits to the number of people you can bring.
Chicago Childrens Museum $3 Per Person
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Illinois LINK card holders can pay just $3 per person for up to 6 people. Families must include at least one adult and one child age 15 or younger.
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This museum also offers free admission on Thursdays between 5pm and 8pm. Children receive free admission on the first Sunday of each month.
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Special discounts are also available for teachers, firefighters and police officers . Veterans and active military can receive free admission every day with a valid ID.
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Shedd Aquarium Free Days
Free days is a blockbuster day at Shedd Aquarium where every family member who is a legal resident of the state of Illinois gets a free entry, The entry queue is insanely long on free days stretching all the way till the Museum Park. It’s a great initiative where every family member can visit the Shedd Aquarium and have countless memories.
How Long Does Field Museum Take
If you are visiting with kids, you will need at least 4 to 5 hours to explore the Chicago Field Museum to your satisfaction.
If you are in a hurry, you can stick to the highlights and be done with your tour in 90 minutes.
Tip: If you plan to extend your stay at the Museum, visiting the restaurant in between helps recharge your energies.
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Chicago Views And Cruises
Views and Cruise . Experience Chicago from above and on the lake with a visit to the Skydeck Chicago and a voyage on a Mystic Blue cruise. From elementary school students to seniors, everyone will enjoy this unbeatable combination.
Your package will include admission to the Skydeck Chicago and a two-hour luncheon cruise on Lake Michigan along Chicagos beautiful lakefront. The all-you-can eat buffet includes skyline views from every table.Call 321-7600 for information and reservations.
Note: Views and Cruises Multi-attraction packages are available Monday through Friday only, not on weekends.
Shedd Aquarium And Field Museum Among Many Chicago Attractions Once Again Requiring Masks
Learn about Shedd ambassador animals and hear from a caretaker
Meet and greet ambassador animals at Shedd Aquarium. Andrea Oake with Shedd Aquarium shares how they care for animals at the aquarium, upcoming offerings, and support.
CHICAGOChicagos main museums are once again requiring masks for all visitors over the age of 2 regardless of whether they are vaccinated.
The Shedd Aquarium started requiring guests to wear masks on July 31. The Field Museum started requiring everyone in the building over the age of 2 to wear masks starting on August 2. The Art Institute of Chicago is also requiring masks.
While those are the main museums visitors think of when they think of Chicago, other museums are also requiring masks:
- The National Museum of Mexican Art has required masks since it reopened on July 1.
- The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago requires masks.
- The Chinese American Museum requires all visitors to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
- The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture requires masks for people who are not vaccinated.
- The Polish Museum of America has required masks since it reopened on May 29.
- The National Hellenic Museum has not yet reopened it is scheduled to open again in September.
- The Heritage Museum of Asian Art remains closed with no date for reopening.
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