There’s always something to do when visiting Chicago, but there is rarely something to do for free.
The Shedd Aquarium is changing that for Illinois residents in January and February by offering free admission to Illinois residents for 25 days
With a valid Illinois ID, free admission will be offered Jan. 17-21 and Monday through Friday every week in February. The aquarium will be closed on Jan. 15-16 for maintenance.
Visitors will have access to the aquarium’s special exhibits “Underwater Beauty,” “Amazon Rising,” “Caribbean Reef” and “At Home on the Great Lakes.” The free admission also includes access to Shedd’s aquatic presentations.
Admission can be upgraded to include 4-D Experience for $4.95 per guest .A $3 transaction fee applies to Illinois Resident Free Day tickets reserved online.
For more information visit https://www.sheddaquarium.org/ or call 312-939-2438.
With free opportunities provided by other local attractions as well, a little planning can result in an affordable family getaway.
In 2019, the Adler Planetarium is free to Illinois residents:
January 21-22, 29-31
February 5-7, 12-14, 18-21, 26-28
April 2-4, 9-11, June 3-5, 10-13
September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27
October 7-9, 14-16
November 8, 11
December 2-3, 7, 12-13.
The Chicago Field Museum is free:
January: 21
February: Free every day
April: 5-7
May: 2
June: 26-28
The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is free:
January: 7–10, 14–17, 21–24, 28–31
February: 4–7, 11–14, 19–21, 25–28
Additional free days begin again in June.
The Art Institute of Chicago is free for Illinois residents every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. The Art Institute of Chicago provides free access to children under 14, Chicago teens under 18, Link and WIC cardholders, active-duty military, and Illinois educators every day.
Brookfield Zoo is free from Jan. 1 to the end of February on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Chicago Children’s Museum is free on the first Sunday of every month, from 10 am – 5 pm. Free admission is offered all day for children under 15 and for Veterans and Active Duty Military.
