Whether you have out-of-town family and friends visiting this summer or are just looking for something to do with kids, don’t forget that most of Chicago’s museums have free admission on certain days throughout the summer. (Parking and special exhibits are extra, and always check museums’ websites for changes in hours on and around holidays.) Here are the free admission days for July.
Adler Planetarium. Free for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders Saturday-Sunday, July 7-8 (must show card and photo ID; valid for card holder only). Open every day 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. 312-922-STAR (7827).
Art Institute of Chicago. Free for Illinois residents Wednesdays, July 4 and 18; free for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders Saturday-Sunday, July 7-8 (must show card and photo ID; valid for card holder only). Open every day 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thurs. until 8 p.m.). 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. 312-443-0849.
Chicago Children’s Museum. Free for everyone every Thursday (5-8 p.m. only); free for ages 15 and under Sunday, July 1. Open every day 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thurs. until 8 p.m.). Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. 312-527-1000.
Chicago History Museum. Free for Illinois residents Wednesday, July 4; free for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders Saturday-Sunday, July 7-8 (must show card and photo ID; valid for card holder only). Open Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. 1601 North Clark Street (Clark & North Ave). 312-642-4600.
DuSable Museum of African American History. Free for everyone every Sunday. Open Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. 740 East 56th Place (corner of 57th & Cottage Grove), Chicago. 773-947-0600.
International Museum of Surgical Science. Free for everyone every Tuesday. Open Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1524 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago. 312-642-6502.
Jane Adams Hull-House Museum. Free for everyone every day ($5 suggested donation). Open Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. 12-4 p.m. 800 S. Halsted St. at the University of Illinois-Chicago. 312-413-5353.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Free for Illinois residents every Tuesday; free every day for active members of the military and children 12 and younger (accompanied by an adult); free for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders Saturday-Sunday, July 7-8 (must show card and photo ID; valid for card holder only). Open Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tues. until 8p.m.). 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. 312-280-2660.
Museum of Contemporary Photography. Free for everyone every day. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thurs. 8 p.m.), Sun. 12-5 p.m. (closed when Columbia College is closed). 600 S. Michigan Ave. at Columbia College, Chicago. 312-663-5554.
National Museum of Mexican Art. Free for everyone every day. Open Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1852 W. 19th Street, Chicago. 312-738-1503.
National Veterans Art Museum. Free every day for active duty military and their dependents. Open Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1801 S. Indiana Ave., Chicago. 312-326-0270.
The Oriental Institute. Free every day (suggested donation: $7 adults, $4 children under 12). Open Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Wed. until 8:30 p.m.), Sun. 12-6 p.m. 1155 East 58th Street at the University of Chicago. 773-702-9514.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Free for Illinois residents on Thursdays. Open Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 2430 N. Cannon Dr. (just north of Lincoln Park Zoo), Chicago. 773-755-5100.
Shedd Aquarium. Free for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders Saturday-Sunday, July 7-8 (must show card and photo ID; valid for card holder only). Open every day 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago. 312-939-2438.
Smart Museum of Art. Free for everyone every day. Open Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. at the University of Chicago. 773-702-0200.
Lincoln Park Zoo. Free for everyone every day (parking is extra; there is free parking along Stockton Dr. when available). Open Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (gates open until 6 p.m.) and Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (gates open until 7 p.m.). 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago. 312-742-2000
In addition to the free days, Chicago Public Library branches have free passes to a number of Chicago’s most popular museums, good for up to four people for one week. All you need to do is show your Chicago Public Library card and choose any available pass.
You can get information about parking, driving directions, and public transportation for each museum by clicking on the museum’s name.
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