FREE Museum Days!!!

One of the things I absolutely love about Chicago is the world-class museums we have here. From the Art Institute to the Shedd Aquarium to the Chicago History Museum, there's really something for everyone. The only catch is that all of it comes with a (frequently hefty) price tag.

Until now.

Free Days at the museums are here!!!!!!!

Museum of Science & Industry
January 12-31 (that's NOW!!!!!!!)
February 29
June 17-22
September 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, & 30
October 31
November 27 (Thanksgiving)
December 24 (Christmas Eve), 31 (New Year's Eve)

Adler Planetarium - the museum is free on these days, but there is a charge for any of the shows
January Discount Week - January 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mon & Tue - January 20, 21, 28, & 29
February Discount Week - February 18-22
February Mon & Tue - February 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
June Discount Week - June 15-20
September Mon & Tues - September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October Discount Week - October 6-9
October Mon & Tues - October 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mon & Tues - November 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 & 25

Art Institute of Chicago
Target Free Thursdays - Thursday evenings are free from 5-8pm

John G. Shedd Aquarium - free general admission, special shows are an additional fee
January discount week - Jan. 12-18 (that's NOW!!!!!)
January Mondays and Tuesdays - Jan. 21, 22, 28, & 29
February Mondays and Tuesdays - Feb. 4, 5, 11, 12, 25, & 26
February discount week - Feb. 18-22
June discount week - June 15-20
September Mondays and Tuesdays - Sept. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, & 30
October discount week - Oct. 6-9
October Mondays and Tuesdays - Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
November Mondays and Tuesdays - Nov. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, & 25

Chicago History Museum
Free on Mondays

The Field Museum
January 14th
March 10th
April 14th
May 12th
June 9th
July 14th
August 11th
September 8th
September 21st – 26th
October 13th
October 26th – 31st
November 10th
December 8th

My advice, take the week off, pull the kids out of school and hit all the museums. Trust me, you'll be richer for it and they will receive a greater education than they could through textbooks. Travel back in time with a visit Sue at The Field Museum on Monday morning and then visit the Crossroads of America exhibit (make sure you download the free audio tour on your iPod) at the Chicago History Museum in the afternoon. On Tuesday, spend the day at the Shedd Acquarium and since the museum is free, there's no reason not to spend a little dough on the Oceanarium. Reach for the stars on Wednesday at the Adler Planetarium. During the day on Thursday, return to the Shedd Acquarium or Adler Planetarium for a more-indepth visit. Just wrap it up by 5 and then visit the Girls on the Verge exhibit at the Art Institute. Finally, put yourself inside a real U-505 Submarine on Friday at the Museum of Science & Industry.

If you go, wear comfy shoes, stay hydrated, and be prepared for long lines and crowds. Also, pack your own lunch and snacks. Food at these places is notoriously expensive. I would imagine cool free stuff like this won't be a secret for long.