Inspired Chicago - Find fun things to do in Chicago!

Updated April 9, 2019 Chicago has some fantastic museums! Below, you will find well-known and well-advertised museums, and you may also find some that you have not heard of before. Use this page to find: Museum addresses and website links. General information regarding free admission. Many museums offer free admission to members, teachers, military personnel, and other groups. Visit each museum's website to learn more about free and discounted admission. The following programs also offer free admission to certain people (click on the links to learn more about the programs and to see if you qualify): Blue Star Museums Illinois Resident Discount Days Kids Museum Passports Museums for All Museums on Us Current and upcoming temporary exhibitions. An interactive map of Chicago's museums. A calendar showing free days at Chicago museums (click on the link). Check back regularly to get the latest updates. ...

Enjoy your lunch along the Chicago River this summer while learning about this ever-changing waterway. The Friends of the Chicago River has put together an exciting lineup of experts who will discuss river-related topics each Monday from July 10 through August 28, 2017. The talks will take place on the plaza outside the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The talks are free and open to the public. In case of rain, visit the Bridgehouse Museum on Twitter ( twitter.com/bridgehousemuse ) or call 312.977.0227 for updates. Friends of the Chicago River Summer Speaker Series McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum Plaza 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago July 10–August 28, 2017 12:15 p.m.–12:45 p.m. Map July 10 Topic: Projects On and Along the River Speaker: Colonel Christopher T. Drew, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers July 17 Topic: Incorporating Native Plants Into Urban Gardens Spea...

The Field Museum, located at 1400 South Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, has announced a partial schedule of its Free Admission Days for 2017. Additional dates will be announced by The Field Museum in the future. On Free Admission Days, Illinois residents who present a valid proof of residency (current Illinois driver’s license or a valid photo ID and one of the following: Illinois lease, Illinois library card, Illinois student ID with photo, Illinois utility bill, Illinois work ID or check stub, or passport with Illinois address) receive free basic admission, which includes entry to general admission exhibitions. Discounted passes are available to see ticketed exhibitions and 3D films with the purchase of a Discovery Pass or an All-Access Pass. For more information, visit The Field Museum’s Free Admission Days page. 2017 Schedule (Partial) January 4–5, 16, 28–30 February 1–28 To find more museums offering Illinois residents free admission, visit Inspired Chicago’s Illinois Resident Disco...

Chicago's Adler Planetarium, located at 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced a partial schedule of its Illinois Resident Discount Days for 2017. Additional dates will be announced by Adler Planetarium in the future. Illinois residents who present a valid ID with an Illinois address receive free general admission. For more information, visit Adler Planetarium’s Special Offers page. 2017 Schedule (Partial) January 6–13, 16–20 February 6–10, 20–24 June 5–9 To find more museums offering Illinois residents free admission, visit Inspired Chicago’s Illinois Resident Discount Days page.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, located at 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced its 2017 Illinois Free Days. Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency receive free museum entry. Omnimax films, Coal Mine, optional U-505 onboard tours, and certain temporary exhibits are not included with the free museum entry and require separate admission fees. For more information, visit the Museum of Science and Industry’s Free Days and Discounts page. 2017 Schedule January 10–12, 16–19, 24–26, 31 February 1–2, 7–9, 14–16, 21–23, 28 June 5–9, 12 September 5–8, 11–15, 18–22, 25–29 October 2–5 To find more museums offering Illinois residents free admission, visit Inspired Chicago’s Illinois Resident Discount Days page.

Updated June 26, 2017 Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, located at 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced its 2017 Illinois Resident Discount Days. Illinois residents who present a valid ID receive free general admission or can purchase a Total Experience Pass for $15. General admission includes Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, and Waters of the World. The Total Experience Pass includes access to all exhibits and shows, including the aquatic presentation, Stingray Touch (open seasonally May to November), special exhibits, and a 4-D experience. For more information, visit Shedd Aquarium's Special Offers page. Update: Effective July 1, 2017, on Illinois Resident Free Days, Illinois residents who present a valid ID receive free admission. Free admission includes all permanent exhibits, special exhibits, animal presentations, and Stingray Touch (open seasonally from late May to October). Shedd’s 4-D Experience is not included; admission can be purchased for $4.95. For more information...

Shedd Aquarium celebrates seniors during Senior Days at Shedd. Each Wednesday and Thursday, September 7 through September 29, 2016, guests who are at least 65 years old will receive a complimentary pass allowing access to exhibits, reserved seating at the aquatic presentation, special lunch pricing, and shopping discounts. Tours and animal encounters will also be available (see the schedule below for dates and times). Free Admission Dates: September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29 Hours: Arrive between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to request the pass. Shedd Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Availability: A complimentary Shedd Group Pass Plus is available to the first 3,000 seniors (at least 65 years old), plus one accompanying adult partner per person and group leaders (with registered groups). Individual passes are available at the aquarium (no online or phone reservations will be taken). Groups of 15 or more seniors require reservations (...

Enjoy your lunch along the Chicago River this summer while learning about this ever-changing waterway. The Friends of the Chicago River has put together an exciting lineup of experts who will discuss river-related topics each Monday from July 11 through August 29, 2016. The talks will take place on the plaza outside the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. The talks are free and open to the public. In case of rain, visit the Bridgehouse Museum on Twitter ( twitter.com/bridgehousemuse ) or call 312.977.0227 for updates. Friends of the Chicago River Summer Speaker Series McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum Plaza 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago Map July 11 The Chicago River's Economic Engine Ernest C. Wong, site design group, ltd. July 18 Birds, Bees, and Bass: Nature on the Chicago River Zhanna Yermakov, Chicago Park District July 25 The Latest on the Riverwalk Gina Ford, Sasaki Associates August 1 The Importance of the Michigan ...

Are you looking for something fun, educational, and free to do this summer? Visit Chicago’s world-class museums! Read on to find out which museums are free and when admission is free. For additional Chicago museums, an interactive museum map, and links to current and upcoming temporary exhibitions, please visit the Museums page. Jane Addams Hull-House Museum ,  The University of Illinois at Chicago, 800 South Halsted Street, Chicago The museum suggests a donation of $5 per person; however, no one will be turned away for lack of a contribution. Adler Planetarium , 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago Illinois residents receive free general admission on the following days: June 6–8, 13–15 No dates have been announced for July. No dates have been announced for August. Art Institute of Chicago , 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago Illinois residents receive free general admission on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18, 25 Busy Beaver...

Chicago's Glessner House Museum has announced a new tour schedule for 2016. Tours of Glessner House will be offered Wednesday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Tours are free on Wednesdays! The 75-minute guided tours are limited to 15 people per tour on a first-come, first-served basis and begin at the Glessner House Museum Visitor's Center at 1800 South Prairie Avenue. Designed by architect Henry Hobson Richards, Glessner House was built in 1886 on the southwest corner of South Prairie Avenue and East 18th Street for John and Frances Glessner. In 1976, it was named a National Historic Landmark. Please visit the Glessner House Museum website to learn more.

Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) has announced a new tour schedule, beginning in January 2016, for the Clarke House Museum, Chicago's oldest surviving home. Built in 1836 for the Henry Brown Clarke family at what is now approximately 1700 South Michigan Avenue, the house is currently located at 1827 South Indiana Avenue. All tours are free! Through January 12, tours are available by appointment only for groups of five or more people. To make a reservation, please email rsvp@cityofchicago.org. Beginning January 13, tours will be offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The one-hour guided tours are limited to 15 people on a first-come, first-served basis. For groups of five or more, please email rsvp@cityofchicago.org. DCASE indicates this schedule is for January and February. To learn more about the home's history and to get current tour details, please visit the Clarke House Museum website.

The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced its 2016 Free Days for January and February. Additional dates will be announced later in the year. On Free Days, Illinois residents who show proof of residency receive free basic admission to the museum. In addition, passes to ticketed exhibitions and 3D films are available for purchase at a discount. January and February Free Days January 3, 14, 18, 23-24 February 1-29 To learn more, please visit The Field Museum website.

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, located at 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced its 2016 Illinois Free Days. Residents with valid proof of Illinois residency receive free museum entry. Omnimax films, Coal Mine, optional U-505 onboard tours, and certain temporary exhibits are not included with the free museum entry and require separate admission fees. 2016 Illinois Free Days January 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29 February 29 June 1-3, 6-8 September 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30 October 4-6 November 3, 10 December 1 To learn more, please visit the Museum of Science and Industry website.

Adler Planetarium, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced its Illinois Resident Discount Days for January and February 2016. Additional dates will be announced throughout the year. On discount days, residents with a valid Illinois ID receive free general admission to explore all the planetarium's exhibits. January and February Illinois Resident Discount Days January 4-8, 11-12, 15, 18-22, 25-29 February 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29 To learn more, please visit the Adler Planetarium website.

The Chicago History Museum, located at 1601 North Clark Street, has announced its Illinois Resident Discount Days for January and February 2016. On discount days, residents with a valid Illinois ID receive free museum admission. January and February Illinois Resident Discount Days January 4-8, 11-12, 14-15, 18-22, 25-29 February 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29 Additional dates will be added for the rest of 2016. In addition to the museum's permanent exhibitions, visitors can explore the following temporary exhibitions: Access for All: Tom Olin’s Photographs of the Disability Rights Movement (through April 10, 2016) Vivian Maier’s Chicago (through July 30, 2017) Chicago Authored The Secret Lives of Objects To learn more, please visit the Chicago History Museum website.

Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, has announced its 2016 Illinois Resident Discount Days. On 52 days throughout the year, Illinois residents receive free general admission and can purchase upgraded passes at a discount. A valid Illinois ID is required to show proof of residency. 2016 Illinois Resident Discount Days January 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 22-26 February 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29 June 6-7, 13-14 September 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27 October 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, 31 November 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 Additional dates will be added. To learn more, please visit the  Shedd Aquarium website.

Are you looking for something fun and educational to do this summer? Visit Chicago’s world-class museums! If you’re an Illinois resident, stop by during Illinois Resident Discount Days and receive free admission. If you’re not an Illinois resident, there are free admission opportunities for everyone! June, July, and August Illinois Resident Discount Days Adler Planetarium, 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago June 3-5, 10-12 No dates for July No dates for August Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago No dates for June July 4 August 17-21, 24-28, 31 The Field Museum, 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago June 4-5, 8 No dates for July August 11-13 Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago June 1-5, 8 No dates for July No dates for August Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago June 1-2, 8-9, 15-16 No dates for July No dates for August Here are a few tips to remember: Free admission is for general or basic admission. Discounts m...

Yes, Chicago has even more to offer! In my first article, I focused on the museums that have 2015 Illinois Resident Discount Days .  My second article highlighted some of Chicago’s places that always have free admission .  Now I will shine the spotlight on places that offer free admission periodically throughout the year (usually weekly or monthly). These Places Offer Free Admission Periodically Throughout the Year Art Institute of Chicago , 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago From Monday, January 5, through Tuesday, February 10, museum admission is free to Illinois residents every weekday–all day. General admission is free to Illinois residents every Thursday (closed on Thanksgiving) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Charnley-Persky House Museum , 1365 North Astor Street, Chicago Tours are free on Wednesdays at 12 noon and are approximately 60 minutes.  Tours are limited to 15 people on a first-come, first-served basis (arrive early!). Chicago Children’s Museum , Navy Pier, 700 East Grand Aven...

I have always considered Chicago to be a great place with a lot to offer both visitors and residents.  As a visitor, I went to the travel websites, ordered copies of brochures, and went to the main museums and tourist destinations in the city.  Since I’ve been living here, I have started to explore the neighborhoods beyond the downtown area.  However, my exploration to date did not prepare me for all the new places I discovered while researching this three-part series.  In my first article, I focused on the museums that have  2015 Illinois Resident Discount Days .  I now turn to places that always have free admission.  Some of the places do have a suggested donation, which I have noted. A few questions to consider when viewing each website: What is this place all about?  What is their mission or specific focus? What kinds of events, activities, and services do they offer? Is everything free or is there a charge for some events or exhibits? What months, days, and hours are they open...