Free museum days in Chicago?! Yes, please! Our visits to museums and zoos are core memory-makers for our children, especially when they involve a trip to the city. After marveling at the skyline as we get closer to downtown, we spend the day getting lost in exhibit halls, wandering through artifacts and learning about animals we didn’t know exist.
These one-of-a-kind adventure days can feel intimidating at times, but they become that much easier with the ultimate family-friendly price tag – free! Below you’ll find details about free museum days at the Field Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and so many more remarkable museums in the Chicagoland area.
Active duty military and their families, veterans, teachers and educators, and LINK or WIC cardholders can also get free or discounted admission at many of these museums, too.
Free Museum Days and Free Days at the Zoo in Chicago and the Suburbs
Previously Offered Free Museum and Zoo Days
Brookfield Zoo Chicago (Brookfield)
8400 W. 31st Street
Brookfield, IL 60513
(708) 688-8000
Brookfield Zoo typically hosts their free admission days in the colder months, which ran every day from January 5 – February 28, 2026 with exceptions on January 19 and February 16. As a note: on free admission days, parking fees still apply. Visits from military personnel are always free.
Chicago Children’s Museum (Chicago)
Navy Pier
700 E. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 527-1000
Chicago Children’s Museum welcomed back Kids Free Days, with an upcoming day on May 3, 2026. Check their website for the most up-to-date offerings.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (Skokie)
9603 Woods Drive
Skokie, IL 60077
(847) 967-4800
Children under 5 are typically free when visiting the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Admission is free on the last Wednesday of every month. Important update: The Illinois Holocaust Museum 360 Experience is now open in downtown Chicago, as the Skokie Museum is temporarily closed for renovations. It is expected to reopen in summer 2026.
Museums and Zoos That Are Always Free
Philips Park Zoo (Aurora)
1000 Ray Moses Drive
Aurora, IL 60505
(630) 256-3860
Philips Park Zoo is always free! Check their website for hours of operation before visiting, and find out what to expect when you visit Philips Park.
Heritage Museum of Asian Art (Chicago)
3500 S Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60609
(312) 842-8884
Children under 7 and active members of the military get in free when visiting the Heritage Museum of Asian Art.
Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago)
2001 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
Every day is free at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Mindworks: The Science of Thinking (Chicago)
224 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604
(773) 795-4580
Run by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Mindworks is an interactive museum and laboratory located across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago. Guests are encouraged to explore each hands-on exhibit, which in turn, provides researchers with insight into human behaviors. Mindworks awards points for participating in exhibits, and those points can be redeemed for prizes. Admission is always free, and reservations are recommended, but not required. Check their website for visiting hours.
National Museum of Mexican Art (Chicago)
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 738-1503
The National Museum of Mexican Art, located in the heart of the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, is always free! The museum is open to guests on Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10:00am – 5:00pm.
Share a photo from your free museum trip on Instagram and tag us at @mykidlist so we can see all the fun! Also, learn about how your local library can help you save on admission any time of year with tickets to check out.
2 Comments. Leave new
Thank you for this website. Looking forward to checking some of these off my list for things to do in Chicago and suburbs. I am a senior trying to see my surroundings
We’re so glad you found us! Have a great time exploring!!