Free Museum Days This Fall in Chicago

The best places in Chicago to be indoors

The weather is getting cooler, so your days of laying out and get a tan on the beach are over. Fall is the perfect time to spend a day at a museum, and visiting a museum is a great way to spend time with friends or family. It’s also a great way to get inspired and learn new things.  Lucky for us, Chicago is full of unique museums and they’re granting free admission on “Illinois Resident Discount Days” this fall. As long as you have a valid Illinois ID, your general admission is free!  We’ve also included the museums that offer free admission on certain days all year ’round.

Happy exploring!

Adler Planetarium

• September 12 – 16
• October 10 (Columbus Day)
• November 11 (Veterans Day)
• December 3 – 9

Art Institute of Chicago

• Every Thursday from 5pm – 8pm throughout the year

Chicago Children’s Museum

• Every Thursday evening from 5pm – 8pm

Chicago History Museum

• October 10 – 12

DuSable Museum of African American History

• Every Sunday

Field Museum

• September 10, 17, 18, 19
• October 2, 16, 30, 31
• November 27
• December 3, 4, 18

Museum of Contemporary Art

• Tuesdays

Morton Arboretum

• Discounted admission every Wednesday

Museum of Science & Industry

• September 6 – 9, 12 – 16, 19 – 23, 26 – 30
• October 4 – 6
• November 3, 10
• December 1

National Museum of Mexican Art

• Free admission daily

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

• Thursdays (donations are suggested)

Shedd Aquarium

• September 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
• October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
• November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29

Swedish American Museum

• Second Tuesday of every month

Which museum are you excited to visit? Let us know below!