Every year, Chicago area museums offer several free admission days for Illinois residents or all guests. These dates are announced well in advance to give guests time to plan, and the free days for 2024 are now listed.
Chicago has three museums with excellent space science-based exhibits or collections- the Museum of Science and Industry, Adler Planetarium, and The Field Museum. We’ve listed the 2024 free museum days and a couple more space-related museums in Chicagoland that also offer free admission.
Museum of Science and Industry
MSI Chicago has named several Illinois Resident free days for 2024, mainly for the months of January and February and can be reserved online. The current dates are:
January 22-24 and 28-31
February 5-8, 11-15, 20-22, and 26-29
April 21
Even though the Henry Crown Space Center is closed until May 2024 there is still a lot of space science to explore at the Museum of Science and Industry. Catch a showing of Dark Universe to learn about the cosmic mysteries astronomers are trying to uncover, take a trip to space in the VR Transporter, learn about the science of storms here on our own planet, and discover how we use space tech to improve our lives here on Earth.
Learn more about free general admission tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry.
Adler Planetarium
In 2024, Adler Planetarium continues to offer free admission to all Illinois residents every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm. Tickets must be reserved in advance and are only for general admission to view the permanent exhibits in the planetarium. Normal rates apply for sky show tickets.
At Adler Planetarium you can explore the solar system, learn about telescopes, and join former astronaut Jim Lovell on a mission to the Moon
Learn more about free admission tickets for the Adler Planetarium.
The Field Museum
The Field Museum announced free general admission for Illinois residents every Wednesday throughout 2024. Residents need to provide proof of residency at the ticket counter to take advantage of this offer. Additionally, free admission tickets cannot be reserved online ahead of time.
The Field Museum is home to one of the largest collection of meteorites. A diverse selection of meteorites is on exhibit to help demonstrate their origin, meteoric composition, and the history of the Solar System and Universe.
Learn more about free and discounted admission to the Field Museum.
Cernan Earth and Space Center
The Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College is just outside the city of Chicago, in River Grove. The center is home to a planetarium, but on display is a small space exhibit that includes several Apollo era artifacts. Admission to these exhibits is free to everyone year round.
Learn more about Cernan Earth and Space Center.
