Take in Chicago's Cultural Institutions for Free

With cold weather encroaching and peak tourist season wrapping up, it’s an ideal time to plan a day indoors at one of Chicago’s cultural institutions. Most offer dates with free or reduced admission during the colder months. Here’s a summary of free dates for the rest of the year at some of the most popular Windy City museums:

Adler Planetarium

Regularly: $10 for adults, $27 including shows

Free Days: Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Dec. 7, 14 and 21

Art Institute of Chicago

Regularly: $18 for adults
Free for children under 14

Free Days: Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Chicago History Museum

Regularly: $14 with audio tours for adults
Free for ages 12 and younger

Free Days: every Monday

Chicago Children’s Museum

Regularly: $10 for children and adults

Free for everyone: Thursday evenings, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free for ages 15 and under: first Sunday of every month

Field Museum

Regularly: $25-$29 for adults

Free Days: Oct. 6, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20
Nov. 2, 3, 8, 10, 16, 17, 30
Dec. 1, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16

Museum of Science and Industry

Regularly: $13-$15 for adults

Free Days: Oct. 6, Nov. 11, Dec. 6

Shedd Aquarium

Regularly: $26.95 for adults

Admission to the Aquarium’s original three galleries is free on the following dates:
Oct. 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26
Nov. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30

Packages including other exhibits are also discounted on these dates.

Check the websites for museum hours and to confirm free admission dates.