FREE Museum Days in Chicago 2016

I grew up in rural Iowa and we literally never went anywhere. Ever, Never! But, as a child, I had no clue, because I was too busy riding my horse in pastures, jumping ditches on my mini bike and snowmobiling it huge snow drifts. 

That's country life for you.

Now, I am fully urban and my kiddos are fully urban. We live in a city with some pretty fantastic museums. Now is the time to renew our yearly memberships. But, if you happen to not buy memberships, here are some FREE days you can spend at the Chicago museums. Just keep in mind this is only for general admission.

Adler Planetarium

• January 4-8,11,12,15,18-22, 25-29
• February 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29
• Free days for Illinois residents only

Here are the details:

• Where – 1300 S Lake Shore Drive
• Hours of Operation – 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
• Cost – Adults - $12.  Kids 3-11 $8.   
• Parking – Nearby parking lots.

Art Institute of Chicago

• Free weekdays January 5 - February 10
• Thurday nights from 5pm to 8pm
• Free days for Illinois residents only

Here are the details:

• Where – 111 South Michigan Ave.
• Hours of Operation – Mon.-Wed. 10:30am-5:pm, Thur. 10:30am-8pm, Fri. 10:30am-5pm, Sat. and Sun. 10am-5pm
• Cost – $16 for Chicago residence.  Kids under 14 are FREE.  Thursday nights are also FREE from 5pm-8pm.  
• Parking – We parked in the underground parking across the street at Millennium Park and were able to walk around the city afterwards.

Museum of Science & Industry

• January 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
• February 29
• June 1-3, 6-8
• September 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
• October 4-6
• November 3, 10
• December 1

Here are the details:

• Where – 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive
• Hours of Operation – Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Cost – Adults - $18.  Kids 3-11 $11.   
• Parking – Underground parking available.

Field Museum of Natural History

• January: 3, 13, 18, 23, 24
• February: 1-29 

Here are the details:

• Where – 1400 S Lake Shore Drive
• Hours of Operation – The Field Museum is open from 9am-5pm every day of the year except Christmas Day.
• Cost – Adults - $22.  Kids 3-11 $15.   
• Parking  - Parking lots available.

Shedd Aquarium

• January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
• February 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29
• June 6, 7, 13, 14
• September 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
• October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31
• November 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29

Here are the details:

• Where – 1200 S Lake Shore Drive
• Hours of Operation – Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekends: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost – Adults - $8.  Kids 3-11 $6.   
• Parking  - Parking lots available.

This list is not all inclusive by any means. Chicago has so much more to offer. But these are our favorites.