If you’re on a budget but want to explore Chicago’s museums you’re in luck. February is chock-full of free days at Chicago’s top museums. There’s no charge for general admission so you only have to pay for any special exhibits.
Most of the museums are free for Illinois residents only, so be sure to bring your license or state ID!
If these dates don’t fit your schedule you can save money on tickets with a Go Chicago Card. Save up to 55% off Chicago attractions – get this virtual pass on your smartphone now!
Free Chicago Museum Days in February
Adler Planetarium, 1300 S Lake Shore Dr
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29
- Free days for Illinois residents only
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- Free weekdays through February 10
- Thurday nights from 5pm to 8pm
- Free days for Illinois residents only
The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E Ontario St
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Always free
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St, Brookfield
- Neighborhood: West Suburbs
- Free Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Always free for Military Personnel
Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E Grand Ave
- Neighborhood: Streeterville
- 1st Sunday of every month free admission for children 15 and under
- Free Thursdays 5pm to 8pm for everyone
Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- February Every weekday
- Free days for Illinois residents only
City Gallery, 806 N Michigan Ave
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile/Streeterville
- Always free
DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E 56th Pl
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Free on Sundays
Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- Every Day!
- Free days for Illinois residents only
International Museum of Surgical Science, 1524 N Lake Shore Dr
- Neighborhood: Gold Coast
- Free on Tuesdays
Jane Addams Hull House Museum, 800 S Halsted St
- Neighborhood: University Village
- Always Free
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N Cannon Dr
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- Always Free
Loyola University Museum of Art, 820 N Michigan Ave
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Free on Tuesdays
Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston
- Neighborhood: Evanston
- Always Free
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave
- Neighborhood: Magnificent Mile / Streeterville
- Free on Tuesdays for Illinois residents
Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S Michigan Ave
- Neighborhood: South Loop
- Always Free
Museum of Science & Industry, 5700 S Lake Shore Dr
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- February 29
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W 19th St
- Neighborhood: Pilsen
- Always free (donations accepted)
The Oriental Institute, 1155 E 58th St
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Always free (donations accepted)
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr
- Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
- Free on Thursdays (donations suggested)
The Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, 5811 S Ellis Ave
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Always free
Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S Lake Shore Dr
- Neighborhood: Grant Park / Museum Campus
- 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29
Smart Museum Of Art, 5550 S Greenwood Ave
- Neighborhood: Hyde Park
- Always Free
Swedish American Museum, 5211 N Clark St
- Neighborhood: Andersonville
- Free on second Tuesday of every month
Find more free days at Chicago Museums.
Photo credit: Nick Ulivieri