Neighborhood News: Chicago’s Museum Free Days in May…explore the world without leaving the city!
In the merry month of May, Chicago’s iconic museums are hosting Free Days for Chicago and Illinois residents. We at Dean’s Team Chicago have compiled a list of some of the most iconic here:
The Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Illinois residents can enjoy free admission (with proof of residency) on the following days:
- Wednesday, May 6
- Wednesday, May 13
- Wednesday, May 20
- Wednesday, May 27
NOTE: Admission is always free for Illinois teachers. Make sure to book online and in advance by clicking here.
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. In May, that’s Sunday, May 17.
You can see and interact with exhibits like American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and 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.
And at 11:30 am, as they say on their website, grab the little ones and join a special Little Squirrels Storytime!
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, sponsors Third Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, May 14.
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, May 6
- Wednesday May 20
- Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day)
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’s DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place, 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 advance 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, 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. Forinformationand 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 May, they’re offering Free Museum Nights for Illinois residents. The museum will be open 5pm– 9pm on the following dates:
- Tuesday, May 5
- Tuesday, May 12
- Tuesday, May 19
- Tuesday, May 26
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.
There are many more museums with free admission every day. For a complete list, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
