Chicago’s Free Museum Days for 2025

The quality, quantity, and diversity of Chicago’s museums are a major reason why Chicago has been named by Condé Nast Traveler as the Best Big City in the U.S. for eight consecutive years. Fortunately for the budget-conscious traveler, most of them have set aside specific days and times where admission is free.

By Dave Lifton (@daveeatschicago)

In addition, many participate in the Museums for All program, which provides discounted or free admission at all times to those who receive food assistance through EBT (Link) and WIC.

The National Endowment for the Arts sponsors Blue Star Museums, where active-duty military personnel—including those in the National Guard and the Reserves—and their families can enjoy free admission by showing their military ID. Several others have similar policies for those in the military.

The following museums are always free, with donations encouraged:

• Lincoln Park Zoo
• Chicago Cultural Center
• Museum of Contemporary Photography
• National Museum of Mexican Art
• National Veterans Art Museum
• National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
• Fed Money Museum
• Design Museum of Chicago
• DePaul Art Museum
• Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures Museum

Art Institute of Chicago(Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Winter Weekdays (Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays; Wednesdays starting March 5^th) for Illinois residents through March 14^th
• All kids under 14, Chicago teens under 18
• Undergraduate students at 29 local colleges and universities
• Illinois educators

Field Museum of Natural History(Museums for All)

• Wednesdays for Illinois residents
• Illinois teachers (K-12)
• Active-duty military and veterans, with discounts for up to six family members
• Participants in the Association of Science and Technology Centers’ (ASTC) Passport Program

Shedd Aquarium (Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Tuesdays—Thursdays for Illinois residents in January and February
• Tuesday nights from 5 – 9 p.m. for Illinois residents in March, April, and May
• Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan educators
• Chicago police officers and firefighters

Adler Planetarium(Museums for All)

• Wednesday evenings from 4 – 10:00 p.m. for Illinois residents
• Bank of America cardholders on the first full weekend of every month
• Teachers
• Active-duty military, National Guard, Reserves, and veterans receive up to five free admissions
• Participants in the ASTC Passport Program

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry(Museums for All)

• Illinois residents on Jan. 13^th-15^th, 26^th-29^th ; Feb. 3^rd-6^th, 9^th-13^th, 18^th-20^th, 24^th-27^th
• Illinois teachers (pre-K-12)
• Active-duty military and veterans
• Illinois POWs
• Chicago police officers and firefighters
• Participants in the ASTC Passport Program

Museum of Contemporary Art (Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Illinois residents on Tuesdays
• Everyone 18 and under
• Illinois elementary and high school teachers
• Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers
• Active members of the police and fire departments and their families

Chicago History Museum (Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Illinois residents on Jan. 20^th–24^th, 28^th–31^st; Feb. 4^th–7^th, 11^th–14^th, 17^th, 18^th–21^st, 25^th–28^th
• Illinois teachers
• Students, faculty, and staff at City Colleges of Chicago, DePaul University, and University of Illinois Chicago
• Active-duty Chicago Police and Fire Department members

American Writers Museum (Blue Star)

• Third Sunday of every month

Driehaus Museum (Blue Star)

• Wednesday evenings 5-7 p.m.
• Children 12 and under

Chicago Botanic Garden(Museums for All)

• Illinois residents anywhere from two to eight days a month, depending on the time of year
• Active-duty military and their families, reservists and former POWs
• Illinois primary and secondary educators
• Native American and Indigenous tribal members

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum(Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Illinois residents on Thursdays          
• Illinois teachers
• Veterans and retired service members
• Participants in the ASTC Passport Program

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center(Museums for All)

• Illinois public school students (K-12)
• Blue Star and Gold Star families
• University of Chicago students
• Chicago Park District employees
• First responders
• Bank of America employees and cardholders

International Museum of Surgical Science (Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Participants in the ASTC Passport Program

Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (Museums for All, Blue Star)

• Last Friday of every month
• Active-duty, retired, and veteran military personnel

Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum (Blue Star)

• Tribal members

Swedish American Museum (Blue Star)

• Second Tuesday of the month

Heritage Museum of Asian Art (Blue Star)

• Third Friday of the month

All of the listings are for general admission entry, and museums may charge fees for specific exhibitions. The information is correct as of January 2025 and subject to change. Be sure to check the websites for complete details on how to redeem offers.