Fall Fun in Chicago: Free Days on the Best Museums

Get the complete household into a favourite Chicago sights totally free on particular days this fall

Love visiting museums? Love visiting museums for FREE? We’ve put collectively our record of particular days after we know Chicago museums provide free admission this fall, from September by December of 2026. Hold onto your hats as a result of there are a couple of nice offers right here!

Don’t fear if these fall free days don’t work. Plan forward for the winter — January and February normally carry essentially the most free day alternatives for Chicago museums.

Need to stretch the autumn leisure finances? Check out our 21+ concepts for Fall Fun on a Budget in C-U.

The days listed under are largely free for Illinois residents. A sound Illinois proof of residency is required; a driver’s license or state I.D. normally suffices.

We’ve additionally included the common free day financial savings for an Illinois household of two adults and two children, so you will get an concept of how useful these reductions are to a household finances. (This is our “guesstimate” for establishments which have adopted fluctuating pricing — which means admission charges fluctuate in keeping with anticipated attendance.) For many museums, the child value applies to youngsters 3-11, however typically it’s 13 and below. Always take a look at the superb print. Prices are topic to vary with out discover.

What does free admission cowl?

Be conscious that at most museums, free admission is proscribed to normal admission; particular reveals, occasions, or displays could have a further price. And sorry to let you realize that there’s no such factor as free parking (until famous). Always test whether or not whether or not timed entry reservations are required, and whether or not free admission entry is obtainable on-line solely or additionally on the door.

What about different reductions?

Remember, you might need the flexibility to go to a museum any day of the week and get a fantastic low cost, you probably have a museum membership. Always ask about reciprocal agreements, such because the Nationwide Museum Passport Program.

Many Chicago museums take part within the Museums for All program, for individuals who have legitimate EBT or WIC playing cards; some provide $3 admission for as much as six relations. Check the museum web sites for more information.

Many of those museums additionally provide reductions or freebies for:

• lively army and/or veterans
• academics or some college affiliations
• first responders
• guests with disabilities

And lastly, another choice to save cash on a go to to Chicago — keep away from parking costs and take the practice.

Fall 2026 Free Museum Days in Chicago

Adler Planetarium

Free days: Sept. 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16

Admission is free for Illinois residents on the above listed days. Museum entry gives entry to all exhibitions and experiences (excluding sky reveals); entry to sky reveals or particular exhibitions could be bought at a reduced fee at checkout. All tickets should be reserved on-line and upfront. Free day financial savings: $76

Art Institute of Chicago

Free evenings: Sept. 3, 10, 17

Admission can be free for Illinois residents on Thursday evenings, 5-8 p.m., by Sept. 17, 2026. Admission is all the time free for kids below 14, Chicago teenagers below 18. To obtain free admission tickets, Illinois residents can reserve them online in advance or go to the admissions desk on the day of go to. Resident standing can be verified utilizing the zip code related to the billing handle offered. Admission to particular displays will not be included. Free day financial savings: $64

DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center

Free days: Wednesdays

Online reserving upfront is usually recommended for all guests. Free day financial savings: $39

Chicago History Museum

Free days: Sept. 7, 24

Illinois residents 18 and below are all the time free. Visitors are inspired to buy tickets upfront on-line. Free day financial savings: $38

Field Museum

Free days: Every Wednesday

Free day tickets can be found for superior reservation on-line; current proof of Illinois residency alongside cellular tickets for specific admission into the museum. Only fundamental admission on Illinois Free Days is included. Ticketed exhibitions and 3D motion pictures price further. See the website to plan a visit. Free day financial savings: $98 (not a typo!)

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Free days: Sept. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30; Oct. 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 18

Free entry for Illinois residents with legitimate proof of residency. Limited to 6 youngsters (below 18) admitted per one accompanying grownup. Giant Dome Theater movies, the U-505 tour and sure particular experiences/displays will not be included in museum entry and require separate admission. See the website to plan your journey. Free day financial savings: $82 (not a typo!)

McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum

This museum is solely open seasonally (May-October). General admission is pay-what-you-can for all company. No reductions apply to bridge lifts or excursions; reservations required for each.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Free days: Tuesdays

Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays, yr spherical, 5-9 p.m. Must have proof of residency. Children 18 and below are free every day. More info here. Free day financial savings: $44

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Free days: Thursdays

For Illinois residents. Does not embody the Butterfly Haven exhibit. Free tickets could be reserved on-line or in particular person. Free day financial savings: $46

Shedd Aquarium

Free evenings: Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27

On choose days or instances Illinois residents with a legitimate ID (current ID upon redeeming ticket) obtain free normal admission to the aquarium. Illinois Resident Free Days or Evenings embody all habitats, animal displays and displays, and seasonal Stingray Touch. 4-D Experience is a $4.95 improve (topic to availability). Tickets could be reserved earlier than your go to — reserve by cellphone to keep away from the web reservation payment. Free Day walk-up reservations could also be out there however don’t depend on it. Free day financial savings: $152 (not a typo!)

Swedish American Museum

Free night: Sept. 25

Located in Andersonville, one of the crucial concentrated areas of Swedish heritage within the United States, with Swedish roots relationship again to the nineteenth century. What’s of most curiosity to households is the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration, now reopened after a prolonged closure. Limited free parking out there. Free day financial savings: $15

Always free

Not at present providing free days

• Brookfield Zoo
• Chicago Children’s Museum
• Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center
• Obama Presidential Center Museum

Have you had a fantastic Chicago museum journey along with your children these days? Email us and inform us all about it!

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