BY DANI TIETZ dani@sjodaily.com
There’s always something to do when visiting Chicago, but there is rarely something to do for free.
Each year, popular Chicago institutions change that for Illinois residents by offering free admission days with a valid Illinois ID.
The Shedd Aquarium will be offering free admission to Illinois residents January 16-20, February 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28 and June 15, 16, 22, 23 in 2020.
Capacity is limited, so the Shedd Aquarium recommends ordering tickets online prior to visiting. There is a $3 per-order transaction fee for tickets ordered online.
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 7-9, 20-22, February 4-6, 11-13, 17-20, March 9-12, April 20-23, May 10-16, June 2, 9, 16, August 22-23, 31, September 1-4, October 12-15, November 11, 17-19 and December 4-6.
Adler Planetarium free entry provides access to all exhibitions and experiences, excluding the historic Atwood Sphere Experience and sky shows.
On Illinois Resident Discount Days, Illinois residents may upgrade to a Museum Entry +2 pass at a discounted price and gain access to the Atwood Sphere Experience and any of the museum’s sky shows.
The Chicago Field Museum is free: Jan. 8, 15, 20, 22, 29 and the entire month of Feb. 2020.
With a valid Illinois ID, basic admission is free, but a discounted Discovery or All-Access Pass will grant admission to special ticketed exhibitions or a 3D movie.
The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is free: Jan. 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30 and February 3-6, 10-13, 18-20, 24-27.
Giant Dome Theater films, Coal Mine and optional U-505 onboard tours, and certain temporary exhibits are not included in Museum Entry and require separate admission.
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 for Illinois residents Tues., Thurs., Sat., and Sundays from January 1 through February 29, then again Tues. and Thursdays from October 1 through December 31.
Free admission is good only during regular zoo hours. Zoo admission fees apply to Holiday Magic and to see additional ticketed exhibits.
Chicago Children’s Museum is free for kids 15 and under, Veterans and Active Duty Military all day on the first Sunday of every month.
The Lincoln Park Zoo offers free admission 365 days a year.
