54 free things to do and get in Chicago and around the Chicago area, including 41 attractions, 8 kids & family, 2 classes & fitness.
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Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm (first Wednesday to 8pm)
National Museum of Mexican ArtChicago
The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen is free every day it's open. Hours are Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm, and it stays open until 8pm on the first Wednesday of each month. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Verified Oct 27 · nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
No catch
Online Monday–Thursday, 5–7pm; branch hours vary
Chicago Public Library (branches and online)
Chicago Public Library's Teacher in the Library program offers free homework help from teachers. Drop in at branches across the city (schedules vary, and some offer help in other languages, such as Mandarin and Cantonese at Chinatown), or join virtual sessions Monday–Thursday, 5–7pm. It runs during the school year and breaks when Chicago public schools are closed.
Verified Oct 27 · chipublib.org
Catch: Online sessions: register through the library's event system
Wednesday–Sunday 10am–5pm; Tuesdays to 9pm
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Everyone 18 and under gets into the MCA free, any day it's open, through the Lefkofsky Free 18 & Under Fund. Illinois K–12 teachers with ID, veterans and active military, police and fire department members with ID, and visitors with disabilities and their caregivers are also free.
Verified Oct 27 · mcachicago.org
Catch: Age 18 and under (adults with them pay unless they qualify)
Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm; Thursdays to 8pm
Museum of Contemporary PhotographyChicago
Columbia College's Museum of Contemporary Photography on South Michigan Avenue is free for everyone. Open Monday–Saturday 10am–5pm, Thursdays until 8pm; closed Sundays and major holidays.
Verified Oct 27 · mocp.org
No catch
Tuesdays, 5–9pm
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
The MCA is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays from 5 to 9pm, when the museum stays open late. Adult admission is otherwise $19 for Chicago residents and $22 for everyone else.
Verified Oct 27 · mcachicago.org
Catch: Illinois residents only
Wednesdays, 12:15–1pm
Seventeenth Church of Christ, ScientistChicago
The International Music Foundation's Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are free weekly classical performances on Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1pm, now held at Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist on Wacker Drive.
Verified Oct 27 · classicalmusicchicago.org
No catch
Tuesday–Sunday 10am–4:30pm
Smart Museum of ArtChicago
The University of Chicago's art museum in Hyde Park is free and open to the public. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–4:30pm; closed Mondays.
Verified Oct 27 · smartmuseum.uchicago.edu
No catch
Open Mon and Wed–Sun 11am–5pm, Thursdays to 8pm (closed Tuesdays)
Art Institute of Chicago
LINK and WIC cardholders get free admission to the Art Institute every day it's open. Illinois educators also get in free. Adult general admission is otherwise $32.
Verified Oct 27 · artic.edu
Catch: Show a LINK or WIC card · Page doesn't say how many guests each card covers
Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm
Four Rivers Environmental Education CenterChicago
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center is a Forest Preserve District of Will County visitor center with no admission charge, with hands-on exhibits and programs (most of them free). Open Wednesday–Sunday 10am–4pm.
Verified Oct 27 · reconnectwithnature.org
Catch: Some programs charge a fee; admission is free
Tuesday–Friday 10am–4:50pm; Sunday noon–4:50pm
Jane Addams Hull-House MuseumChicago
The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum at UIC is free. Open Tuesday–Friday 10am–4:50pm and Sunday noon–4:50pm; closed Monday and Saturday. Public tours run Tuesdays and Fridays at 2pm; reserve a spot on the museum's site.
Verified Oct 27 · hullhousemuseum.org
No catch
Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm
Hidden Oaks Nature CenterBolingbrook
Hidden Oaks Nature Center is a Forest Preserve District of Will County visitor center with no admission charge, with hands-on exhibits and programs (most of them free). Open Wednesday–Sunday 10am–4pm.
Verified Oct 27 · reconnectwithnature.org
Catch: Some programs charge a fee; admission is free
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am and 1:30pm
Chicago Cultural Center (Randolph St. entrance)
Volunteer Chicago Greeters lead free, hour-long walks of the Loop every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 11:30am and 1:30pm, no registration needed. Meet at the Welcome Desk at the Chicago Cultural Center's Randolph Street entrance.
Verified Oct 27 · choosechicago.com
No catch
Thursday–Tuesday, 9am–4pm (Oct–May)
Phillips Park ZooAurora
Aurora's Phillips Park Zoo is free, with wolves, elk, bald eagles, a reptile house and a visitor center showing mastodon bones found in the park. October through May it's open Thursday–Tuesday 9am–4pm and closed Wednesdays.
Verified Oct 27 · zoo.aurora.il.us
No catch
Thursdays and Fridays at 1:15pm
Chicago Cultural Center
Docents lead free tours of the Chicago Cultural Center, the 1897 former central library with its famous Tiffany dome, every Thursday and Friday at 1:15pm, year round.
Verified Oct 27 · chicago.gov
No catch
Monday and Thursday–Sunday, 10am–5pm
American Writers MuseumChicago
Children 12 and under get into the American Writers Museum on Michigan Avenue free. Adults pay $16. Open Monday and Thursday–Sunday, 10am–5pm; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Verified Oct 27 · americanwritersmuseum.org
Catch: Kids 12 and under only; adults pay $16
Mon, Nov 2 – Wed, Nov 4 · check hours
Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumChicago
Illinois residents get free basic admission to the Nature Museum in Lincoln Park November 2–4, 2026, 10am–4pm. A $10 household donation is suggested but optional, and the Butterfly Haven costs extra. Adult admission is normally $15; dates can change, so check before you go.
Verified Oct 27 · naturemuseum.org
Catch: Illinois residents only · Basic admission only; Butterfly Haven costs extra
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360Chicago
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360 is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
The Morton ArboretumChicago
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. The Morton Arboretum is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
Adler PlanetariumChicago
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Adler Planetarium is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Sat, Nov 7 – Sun, Nov 8 · check hours
Art Institute of Chicago
Bank of America's Museums on Us program gives its cardholders free general admission to participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. Art Institute of Chicago is on Bank of America's official Museums on Us participant list. Eligibility: Bank of America cardholders. Check the program's eligibility and terms page before you go: the partner page says some venues adjust their admission procedures.
Verified Oct 27 · about.bankofamerica.com
Catch: Bank of America cardholders only · General admission only; check the venue's Museums on Us terms first
Any day
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Chicago Public Library cardholders can reserve an Explore More Illinois pass good for four general admission tickets to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Some suburban library cardholders can check out a Museum Adventure Pass for two instead. Parking isn't included.
Verified Oct 27 · brookfieldzoo.org
Catch: Chicago Public Library card holder, 18 or older, with a physical card · Reserve a dated pass ahead; valid only on that date
Any day
Chicago Public Library (all locations)
Adult Chicago residents can check out a Kids Museum Passport at any Chicago Public Library location. It gives free admission for a family group (up to two adults with at least one child under 18) at 15 Chicago cultural institutions, including the Chicago Botanic Garden (where a parking fee applies).
Verified Oct 27 · chipublib.org
Catch: Adult Chicago residents check it out at a CPL location · Group must include a child under 18; up to two adults
Any day
Chicago Greeter
Book a free visit with a volunteer Chicago Greeter who shows you a neighborhood or theme you choose. Groups of up to six guests. Register ahead on the Chicago Greeter site.
Verified Oct 27 · choosechicago.com
Catch: Register in advance · Up to six guests per visit
Third Thursday of each month, 5–8pm
Art Institute of Chicago
Illinois residents get free general admission to the Art Institute on the third Thursday of each month from 5 to 8pm. Bring proof of Illinois residence such as an ID, lease or a bill. Adult general admission is normally $32.
Verified Oct 27 · artic.edu
Catch: Illinois residents only: bring proof of residence (ID, lease, bill or mail)
Any day
Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumChicago
With an Explore More Illinois or Chicago Public Library digital pass, two people get free admission to the Nature Museum, up to four times a year. Adult admission is normally $15.
Verified Oct 27 · naturemuseum.org
Catch: Library card holder: reserve a dated digital pass · Two people per pass; up to four uses a year
Any day
Chicago Botanic Garden
Some visitors get free admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden any regular day without an advance ticket: LINK and WIC cardholders and their household (parking included), active-duty military and family (parking included), Illinois educators (one per visit) and tribal members with ID. Not valid for Lightscape, Night of 1,000 Jack-o'-Lanterns or Orchids After Hours.
Verified Oct 27 · chicagobotanic.org
Catch: Show a LINK/WIC card, military ID, educator ID or tribal ID at the gatehouse · Not valid during Lightscape, Jack-o'-Lanterns or Orchids After Hours
