Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium
Adler at Night
Wednesdays 4:00pm-10:00pm
Join us after work, after school, or for date night at the Adler Planetarium. You’ll find hands-on, minds-on activities, experiences, and shows about the universe that will blow your mind! Free museum admission with proof of Illinois Residency.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago
Ryan Learning Center
Daily | 11:00am-3:00pm (Closed Tuesdays)
The Ryan Learning Center is always free to the public. Learn More about Free Admission Opportunities to the museum galleries.
Find us on the first floor of the museum’s Modern Wing. Turn left after you enter at 159 East Monroe. Our entrance is right before the security podium.
Free, family-friendly activities are always on offer in the Ryan Learning Center’s Art Exchange.
Create your own one-of-a-kind museum tour using the award-winning digital interactive, JourneyMaker. Find books, blocks, and other resources to spark your curiosity. Art Exchange activities are designed with children in mind and are open to all visitors to the museum.
Drop In Programs
The Artist’s Studio
Daily | 11:00am–3:00pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Take part in a free studio project inspired by a work of art in the museum’s collection or a special exhibition. Designed by museum educators and artists, these activities are accessible to children but just as satisfying to adults.
Chicago History Museum
Chicago History Museum
Programming
Explore the city with our expert guides, delve into our exhibitions through thematic programs, or discover Chicago history through family-friendly activities.
Upcoming Events
Click below for events calendar.
DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
DuSable Black History Museum
Upcoming Events
Diversity University Summit
10:00am-6:00pm | DuSable Black History Museum
Join us at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center for Diversity University Summit 2026 Live, a free college and career preparation experience designed for underrepresented high school students and their families.
This full-day summit will provide practical tools and real conversations to help students navigate their next steps after high school. Explore topics including college admissions, scholarships and financial planning, alternative career pathways, and life on college campuses. Attendees will also have opportunities to hear directly from current college students and explore a variety of educational and career pathways.
Click below for events calendar.
Field Museum
The Field Museum
Crown Family PlayLab
Monday – Sunday 10:00am-3:30pm
Designed for children between two and six years old, the Crown Family PlayLab is an interactive, hands-on space that makes learning an adventure. Early learners are invited to explore world cultures through music, experience everyday life in a recreated pueblo, create artwork in a Discovery Studio, or play paleontologist with dinosaur bones—and that’s just the beginning. With so many opportunities for discovery, this exhibition presents a new adventure every time you visit.
PlayLab PlayDate Series
The Crown Family PlayLab offers families with 2-6 year olds a weekly PlayLab PlayDate on Wednesdays. PlayLab PlayDates are free, drop-in activities featuring storytime sessions, music and movement circles, science experiments and more.
PlayLab PlayDates are free to museum guests, don’t require pre-registration, and take place on IL Resident Free Days.
Upcoming Events
Dozin’ with the Dinos
Friday, November 6th | 6:00PM
See the Field Museum in a whole new light! Families and groups with kids ages 6 to 12 can spend the night at the museum during Dozin’ with the Dinos.
Stay up late with scientists as the Field Museum comes to life in games, challenges, and stories throughout the night. Will you dissect owl pellets and identify animal tracks to become the next great wildlife detective? Or, will you embark on a paleontologist’s expedition to learn how fossils form? Take on these adventures and more with the Dozin’ Institute for Nocturnal Observations (DINO) on our late-night mission of discovery. Then, grab your flashlight and explore the halls as the lights go out. This is a night at the museum you won’t forget!
Tickets to Dozin’ with the Dinos scheduled for November 6th will include admission to the Pokémon Fossil Museum. Timed tickets will be assigned to all Dozin’ ticketholders prior to the event. All sales are final.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Contemporary Art
SOAR Farmers Market 2025
Tuesday, June 3rd – October 28th, 2025
Every Tuesday From 7:00am-2:00pm
Every Tuesday this summer—rain or shine—you can shop at the SOAR Farmers Market on the MCA Plaza.* Many of our beloved vendors are back at the colorful open-air market offering their fresh fruits and vegetables, cut and potted flowers, baked goods, cheeses, spices, and more.
The MCA Store and MCA Counter are back! Come enjoy delicious homemade soups and a variety of fun, food-themed products.
National Museum of Mexican Art
National Museum of Mexican Art
Upcoming Programming
Celebrate Dìa De Los Muertos with the National Museum of Mexican Art! Click below for events calendar.
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Thursday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am-2:00pm
Admission is FREE.
Click below for events calendar.
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Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Upcoming Events
See Calendar for Upcoming Events
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Daily Programming
Free Daily programming included with admission. Click the Events Calendar button below for more information.
Upcoming Events
Other events coming up this summer – registration and more information can be found on our website closer to the dates. Click below for events calendar.
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
Daily Programming
Free Daily programming included with admission. Click the Program Calendar button below for more information.
Animal Spotlight
Times vary throughout the day
Animal Spotlights introduce you to select animals that call Shedd home. Stop by the Abbott Oceanarium and join us as our animal care experts highlight amazing animal adaptations.
Upcoming Events
See the Program Calendar.
