Chicago is a city filled with lots of fun things to do. Whether you grew up in the city or suburbs like us or plan to visit on your next vacation, check out our list – most of them are free or inexpensive!
Museums and Other Attractions:
– Aurora – Blackberry Farm – Illinois residents get free admission on Family Fun Days on May 10, May 24, June 7, June 21, July 6, and August 9.
– Aurora – Red Oak Nature Center – Admission is always free.
– Aurora – Sci-Tech Museum
– Bensenville – Fischer Farm – Admission is always free.
– Chicago – Adler Planetarium – Illinois residents get complimentary general admission on June 5 to 9. Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12) and active military personnel receive free general admission which can be applied to any admission pass.
– Chicago – Art Institute of Chicago – Illinois residents get free general admission every Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Admission is always free for children under 14. Admission is free for Chicago teens under the age of 18. Active-duty military and their families receive free admission to the museum from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Current Illinois educators, including pre-K–12 teachers, teaching artists working in schools, and homeschool parents.
– Chicago – Chicago Botanic Garden – Admission is always free.
– Chicago – Chicago Children’s Museum
– Chicago – Chicago History Museum – Illinois residents get free admission on July 4 and every Tuesday* from 12:30 to 7:30 pm (excluding December 19 and 26).
– Chicago – The DuSable Museum of African History – Illinois residents get free admission on Tuesdays. All Military Duty Personnel, all Branches, receive complimentary admission. Children under 5 years old are always free.
– Chicago – The Field Museum – Illinois residents receive complimentary basic admission on June 21, 22, and 23.
– Chicago – Garfield Park Conservatory – Admission is always free.
– Chicago – Millenium Park – Always free.
– Chicago – Museum of Contemporary Art – Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays year round. Admission is free for members of the military, police and fire departments and veterans.
– Chicago – Museum of Science and Industry – Illinois residents receive free admission from June 5 to 9, June 12, September 5 to 8, September 11 to 15, September 18 to 22, September 25 to 29, and October 2 to 5. Active duty military, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers and Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12th grade) receive free admission.
– Chicago – Navy Pier – Admission is always free. You just have to pay for the activities or meals there.
– Chicago – The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois Residents. Children under 3 years old are always free. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, active duty service members and their families can enjoy free admission.
– Chicago – Shedd Aquarium – Illinois residents receive free general admission or discounted upgraded admission on June 5, 6, 12, 13, August 28, 29, September 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21. Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd Pass by registering online. Active-duty military personnel, Chicago police officers and firefighters receive a free Shedd Pass with proper ID. Guests who present a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch ATM, credit, or debit card, along with photo identification, will receive one free general admission on the first full weekend of every month: May 6-7, June 3-4, July 1-2, August 5-6, September 2-3, October 7-8, November 4-5, and December 2-3.
– Elmhurst – Elmhurst Historical Museum – Admission is always free.
– Glenview – Kohl’s Children’s Museum – Children under 3 are always free. Military receive buy one, get one free admission for their entire party.
– Glenview – Wagner Farm
– Libertyville – Lambs Farm
– Naperville – DuPage Children’s Museum – Free admission for children under 1 year old.
– Naperville – Naper Settlement – Free admission for children under 4 years old. Naperville residents get free admission with proof of residency. Active duty military personnel and their families are eligible for free admission to Naper Settlement between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
– Rockford – Discovery Center Museum – Free admission for children 1 year old and younger.
– Wheaton – Cantigny Park
– Chicago – Chicago History Museum – Illinois residents get free admission on July 4 and every Tuesday* from 12:30 to 7:30 pm (excluding December 19 and 26).
– Chicago – The DuSable Museum of African History – Illinois residents get free admission on Tuesdays. All Military Duty Personnel, all Branches, receive complimentary admission. Children under 5 years old are always free.
– Chicago – The Field Museum – Illinois residents receive complimentary basic admission on June 21, 22, and 23.
– Chicago – Garfield Park Conservatory – Admission is always free.
– Chicago – Millenium Park – Always free.
– Chicago – Museum of Contemporary Art – Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays year round. Admission is free for members of the military, police and fire departments and veterans.
– Chicago – Museum of Science and Industry – Illinois residents receive free admission from June 5 to 9, June 12, September 5 to 8, September 11 to 15, September 18 to 22, September 25 to 29, and October 2 to 5. Active duty military, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters, Chicago police officers and Illinois teachers (pre-K through 12th grade) receive free admission.
– Chicago – Navy Pier – Admission is always free. You just have to pay for the activities or meals there.
– Chicago – The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois Residents. Children under 3 years old are always free. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, active duty service members and their families can enjoy free admission.
– Chicago – Shedd Aquarium – Illinois residents receive free general admission or discounted upgraded admission on June 5, 6, 12, 13, August 28, 29, September 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, October 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, and November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21. Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd Pass by registering online. Active-duty military personnel, Chicago police officers and firefighters receive a free Shedd Pass with proper ID. Guests who present a valid Bank of America/Merrill Lynch ATM, credit, or debit card, along with photo identification, will receive one free general admission on the first full weekend of every month: May 6-7, June 3-4, July 1-2, August 5-6, September 2-3, October 7-8, November 4-5, and December 2-3.
– Elmhurst – Elmhurst Historical Museum – Admission is always free.
– Glenview – Kohl’s Children’s Museum – Children under 3 are always free. Military receive buy one, get one free admission for their entire party.
– Glenview – Wagner Farm
– Libertyville – Lambs Farm
– Naperville – DuPage Children’s Museum – Free admission for children under 1 year old.
– Naperville – Naper Settlement – Free admission for children under 4 years old. Naperville residents get free admission with proof of residency. Active duty military personnel and their families are eligible for free admission to Naper Settlement between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
– Rockford – Discovery Center Museum – Free admission for children 1 year old and younger.
– Wheaton – Cantigny Park
– There are per car parking fees.
