When Kids Get in Free at 30 Chicago Museums, Zoos, and Parks
Chicago's museums, zoos, and parks rank among the best in the country—and lucky for busy, cash-strapped parents, many museums, zoos, gardens, and cultural institutions offer FREE or reduced admission at least once a month. Plus, many of the "grown-up" museums let kids in for free year-round, such as the Art Institute of Chicago. And most of the big institutions, including the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Field Museum, host popular free days just for Illinois residents throughout the year.
It can be hard to keep track of when and where these freebies are available, so we've compiled a list of reduced or free admission days and times at favorite Chicago cultural spots. Read on to find out when you can go to these fabulous Chicago museums, for free.
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Note: Some of these institutions typically have more free days, but due to limited capacity and closures over the past year, free days at some spots are on hold. All of these places have free admission for young children, residents, teachers, or military members, and we have outlined the current free admission policies below. We will continue to update this list as more free days are added!
1. Adler Planetarium
Children under 3, K-12 teachers, and active-duty military are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free select free days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required. The Adler also participates in Museums For All, where any family that qualifies for state food assistance and has an EBT card may receive entry for up to eight people at $1 per guest.
2. American Writers Museum
Children under 12 are always free.
3. Art Institute of Chicago
Children under 14, Chicago teens aged 14-18, K-12 teachers, Link and WIC cardholders, and active-duty military are always free.
Brookfield Zoo has more than 2,300 animals that kids can meet. (Some up close, and some... not so much!)
4. Brookfield Zoo
Children under 3 and military personnel are always free.
5. Chicago Architecture Center
Children under 5 are always free.
Build and design your own structure using real tools in the Chicago Children's Museum's Skyline exhibit. Photo courtesy of Chicago Children’s Museum
6. Chicago Children's Museum
Children under 1 and active-duty military and veterans are always free. Chicago Children’s Museum is also a proud Museums for All partner.
7. Chicago Cultural Center
Admission is free for all year-round.
8. Chicago History Museum
Illinois resident children under 18, Illinois teachers, active-duty military, veterans, police, and firefighters are always free.
9. Chicago Sports Museum
Children under 3 are always free. Guests of the adjacent Harry Caray's 7th Inning Stretch receive free admission with a minimum purchase ($10 adults, $8 students, $6 children and seniors).
10. Design Museum of Chicago
Admission is free for all year-round.
11. DuSable Museum of African American History
Children under 5 and active-duty military are always free. Children and caregivers are admitted free on Tuesdays.
The Field Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in the world. Photo courtesy of the museum
12. Field Museum
Children under 3, K-12 teachers, and active-duty military are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free on select days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required.
13. Garfield Park Conservatory
Admission is free for all year-round.
14. Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
Children under 5 are always free.
15. Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
Children under 18 are always free.
16. Jane Addams Hull House Museum
Admission is always free with a suggested donation of $5.
17. Lincoln Park Conservatory
Admission is always free with a suggested donation.
18. Lincoln Park Zoo
Admission is free for all year-round.
19. McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum
Children under 5 are admitted for free.
RELATED: 18 Chicago Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free
Families contribute to a giant friendship bracelet at an MCA Family Day. Photo by Grace Needlman
20. Museum of Contemporary Art
Children under 18, members of the military and police and fire departments, and veterans are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free every Tuesday. Proof of residency is required.
21. Museum of Contemporary Photography
Admission is free for all year-round.
22. Museum of Illusions
Admission is free for kids 4 and under.
23. Museum of Mexican Art
Admission is free for all year-round.
Museum of Science and Industry.
24. Museum of Science and Industry
Children under 3, K-12 teachers, veterans, active-duty military, police, and firefighters are always free. Illinois residents are admitted free on select days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required.
25. National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
Admission is free for all year-round.
26. The Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago
Admission is always free with a suggested donation.
27. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Children under 3, active-duty military, veterans, and Illinois K-12 teachers are always free. Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents.
Meet the fish at the Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
28. Shedd Aquarium
Children under 3 are always free. Chicago residents are admitted for 50% off throughout the year, and in addition, Illinois residents are admitted free on select days throughout the year. Proof of residency is required.
29. Smart Museum of Art
Admission is free for all year-round.
30. The Swedish American Museum
Children under 1 are always free. Admission is free for all the second Tuesday of every month.
Unless noted, photos by the author