Neighborhood News: April Chicago’s Museum Free Days
Here’s a question for Dean’s Team Chicago readers: Do April showers really bring May flowers?
You can probably find the answer at one of the area’s Free Days at Chicago’s iconic museums!
The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission (with proof of residency) on the following days:
- Wednesday, April 8
- Wednesday, April 15
- Wednesday, April 22
- Wednesday, April 29
NOTE: Admission is always free for Illinois teachers. Make sure to book online and in advance by clicking here.
A new entry this month in Chicago’s Loop is the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor, where you and your family can enjoy free admission on the third Sunday of each month.
You can see and interact with exhibits like American Prophets: Writers, Religion & Culture, which explores the profound ways writing reflects and influences our understanding of religion. From the poet Phyllis Wheatley to the comedian Harold Ramis, writers are driven by their beliefs and the beliefs of those around them.
Access to all exhibits are included on free museum days. Prior registration is not required, but recommended. For more information, click here.
In the Loop, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Avenue begins a new free program this month: Beginning April 16, the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago will sponsor Third Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
Additionally, they offer free admission every day for Chicago teens under age 18, all children under age 14, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators. To reserve tickets, click here.
Lincoln Park’s Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark Street, helps you explore both Chicago and American history at their upcoming Illinois resident Free Days:
- Wednesday, April 22
- Thursday, April 30
Note: Throughout the year, admission is always free for active-duty military and active-duty Chicago police and firefighters, Illinois teachers, Illinois residents under age 18, and all children under 12. For tickets, click here.
Washington Park’sDuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, offers free entry on select dates and for certain groups.
Throughout the year, there’s free admission for all every Wednesday.
Note: Admission is always free for military and first responders, University of Chicago students, Chicago Park District employees, Illinois public school students, and other groups. For tickets and information, click here.
At the iconic Field Museum, 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Every Wednesday throughout 2026 is free.
Free tickets are available for advanced reservation online and on site. The free tickets include all general admission exhibitions. Just present a current Illinois driver’s license, state ID, or Chicago CityKey card at the ticket desk to establish proof of residency. For tickets and information, click here.
Note: Illinois teachers and active military personnel receive free general admission year-round.
In Hyde Park, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, makes Sunday, April 19 its free day this month.
That said, MSI is always free for United States military active-duty personnel and veterans, Illinois POWs, Chicago firefighters & Chicago police officers, Illinois teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade), United States military active-duty personnel and veterans also receive $4 off U-505 On-Board Tour tickets for themselves. For information and reservations, click here.
Streeterville’s Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Avenue, reserves every Tuesday from 5pm – 9pm for Illinois residents to receive free admission.
Note: The museum is always free for visitors under age 18, visitors with disabilities and their caregivers, active members of the military, police, and fire departments, veterans and their families, and Illinois elementary and high school teachers.
And …If it’s not Tuesday evening, MCA has a pay-what-you-can policy — no one will be turned away.
Another Museum Campus favorite is the venerable Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Illinois residents receive free access to all permanent exhibits on select dates throughout the year.
In April, they’re offering Free Museum Nights for Illinois residents. The museum will be open 5pm– 9pm on the following dates:
- Tuesday, April 7
- Tuesday, April 14
- Tuesday, April 21
- Tuesday, April 28
And…Admission is always free for Chicago police officers and firefighters, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
NOTE: There is a $5 convenience fee per order for Free Hours reservations made online.
HOWEVER, you can reserve tickets by phone with no convenience fee by calling 312-939-2438.
Andersonville’s Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark Street, has free admission every second Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and children aged 1 year or younger are admitted free every day they are open. Their current exhibit, We Are America, explores Swedish immigration to Chicago. There are environmental displays such as the deck of a steamship, a 19th century Swedish stuga (cottage), an early 20th century Swedish-American woodshop, and a mid-century Swedish-American kitchen.
If you plan on visiting with a group of 10 or more, it is highly recommended that you contact the museum so that they can accommodate you for a guided or self-guided tour. For more information, click here.
Here’s to an awesome April!
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
