As the weather warms up in Chicago, days spent at museums offer a respite from the outside heat.
Chicago is home to a vast collection of museums, spanning art, science, culture and history. Many of these institutions offer free admission to certain groups or on specific days.
Here’s a roundup of free admission days offered by Chicago museums for the rest of this summer:
Art Institute of Chicago
- Free admission for Illinois residents on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. through Sept. 25
- Tickets can be reserved in advance online.
- Admission is always free for those under 18, Illinois educators (pre-K-12), active-duty military and LINK and WIC cardholders.
Adler Planetarium
- Free admission for Illinois residents on Wednesdays from 4 to 10 p.m.
- Tickets must be reserved online and in advance.
- Admission is always free for teachers and active-duty, reserve and veteran military personnel and their families (up to five admissions).
Chicago History Museum
- Free admission for Illinois residents on July 24, July 30, Aug. 13 and Aug. 28.
- The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
- Admission is always free for Illinois teachers, active-duty and veteran military personnel, active-duty Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department personnel and Illinois residents 18 and younger.
Chicago Field Museum
- Free admission for Illinois residents on Wednesdays
- The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
- Guests are encouraged to reserve tickets online ahead of time.
DuSable Museum of African American History
- Free admission for everyone on Wednesdays
- The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
- Admission is always free active-duty military, first responders, Illinois public school students and other groups.
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
- Free admission for Illinois residents on select dates throughout August and September.
- The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Aug. 17.
- The museum is always free for active-duty and veteran military personnel, Chicago firefighters and police officers, and Illinois teachers.
Shedd Aquarium
- Free admission for Illinois residents from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 22, July 29, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26.
- Tickets can be reserved in advance over the phone or online with a convenience fee of $5.
- Admission is always free for educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, Chicago police officers and firefighters, and active-duty U.S. military personnel.
Museum of Contemporary Art
- Free admission for Illinois residents on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Admission is always free for those 18 and under, Illinois teachers, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active-duty military, police and fire department personnel and veterans.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Free admission for Illinois residents on Thursdays
- The museum is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The museum suggests a $10 donation at admission.
- The museum is always free for Illinois teachers, active-duty military and their families, veterans and infants under 12 months.
Swedish American Museum
- Free admission for all on the second Tuesday of each month
- The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
- Free admission for all on Wednesdays.
- The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
- Admission is always free for active-duty military and children under 6.
National Museum of Mexican Art
- Free entry each day
- The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday
National Public Housing Museum
- Free admission each day
- The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture
- Free admission each day
- The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.