Free Family Activities
Chicago Museum Free Days 2010
Adler Planetarium Free Days
The Adler Planetarium is open 9:30am – 6pm during the summer; 9:30am – 4:30pm otherwise;
January 5, 11-15, 19, 26
February 2, 8-12, 16, 23
March 2, 9, 16, 23
April 20, 27
May 4, 11-12, 18, 25
June 7-11
September 7, 13-17, 21, 28
October 5, 12, 19, & 26
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
December 7, 14, 21
Chicago Children’s Museum Free Days
The Chicago Children’s Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Location: 700 East Grand Ave at Navy Pier
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Thursday evenings 5-8pm
Free for everyone – Every Thursday evening, 5-8pm
Free for ages 15 and under – First Sunday of every month
Field Museum Free Days
The Field Museum is Free (basic admission) on the Second Monday of every month, thanks to a donation from Target. Additional free days are also available.
January: 11th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th
February: 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 11th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th
March: 2nd, 3rd, 8th
May: 10th
June: 2nd, 3rd, 14th
July: 12th
August: 9th, 24th
September: 13th, 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd
October: 5th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th
November: 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 30th
December: 1st, 7th, 8th, 13th, 15th, 16th
Museum of Science and Industry
The Museum of Science and Industry is free (basic entry) to the public on various dates throughout the year. The museum is open Mon–Sat: 9:30am-4pm; Sun: 11am-4pm; Omnimax-only tickets on Free Days are $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and $7 for children. Normal prices apply for other features;
January 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
February 8, 14
March 18
April 19-23
May 3
June 7-11
August 30
September 7-14, 20-21, 27-28
October 4- 6
November 11
December 6
Nature Museum Free Days
The Chicago Nature Museum has “Suggested Donation Days” every Thursday.
Location: 2430 N. Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park, just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Free Days 2010: Every Thursday, 9am-4:30pm
Shedd Aquarium Free Days
During Shedd Aquarium Free Days, general admission is free. Wild Reef admission is sold at a reduced rate. The aquarium is open Weekdays 9am–5pm and Weekends 9am–6pm.
January 4-5, 11-12, 16-21, 25-26
February 1-2, 8-9, 15-19, 22-23
June 14-18
September 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26
November 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30
Lincoln Park Zoo Free Days
The Lincoln Park Zoo is free and open to the public 365 days per year. Generally open 10am-5pm.
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo is located off Lake Shore Drive at the Fullerton Parkway exit.
Brookfield Zoo Free Days
The Brookfield Zoo.
You can “check out” a free pass at your local library with a Library Card.