The winter doldrums can best be fought by planning a day out at the museum. Chicago is home to many world renowned museums with many offering the opportunity for you to take in all the sights without making a dent in your wallet.
Many Chicago area museums are offering Illinois residents free admission throughout the year.
Take a look below at when your favorite museum will be offering free admission in 2020.
Free general admission for Illinois residents on the following dates. Must present a valid ID with an Illinois address.
January 7-9, 20-22February 4-6, 11-13, 17-20March 9-12April 20-23May 10-16June 2, 9, 16August 22-23, 31September 1-4October 12-15November 11, 17-19December 4-6
Children 12 and under are admitted free. Attendees can get free admission on March 8 for the Trailblazing Women Writers Tour as part of International Women's Day and on April 4 as part of the Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day.
Every Wednesday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. general admission is free for Illinois residents. Chicago teens 18 and under as well as children 14 and under are admitted free. Active-duty military and their families receive free admission to the museum.
Admission is always free along with tours.
The Museum is free to Illinois residents every Tuesday* from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays in January from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Museum admission is free for Illinois residents on Commemorative Days: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, March 4, and July 4. *Excludes May 12th and Tuesdays in July and August. Illinois resident children 18 and under are admitted free.
DuSable Museum of African American History
The museum offers free admission every Tuesday. Children under 5 get free admission.
Admission is free for Illinois residents on the following dates.
January 15, 20, 22, 29
February 1-29
Admission is free on the 20th of every month.
Admission is always free.
Illinois residents get free admission every Tuesday. Children 18 and under and MCA members are admitted for free.
Museum of Science and Industry
Admission is free for Illinois residents on the following dates.
January 2020 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
February 2020 3-6, 10-13, 18-20, 24-27
National Museum of Mexican Art
Admission is always free.
The Nature Museum has a suggested donation day for Illinois residents every Thursday in 2020.
Illinois residents get free admission on the following dates.
January 16-20, 2020February 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 2020June 15, 16, 22, 23, 2020