Illinois Resident Free Days
We are pleased to offer a variety of Free Days for Illinois residents. Although the Nature Museum is not free every Thursday, we continue to offer 52 free general admission days for Illinois residents throughout the year.
Illinois residents can enjoy free basic admission during these Illinois Resident Days, or support us with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission.
Our list of Free Days for 2026 can be found below. Please note, dates are subject to change. Please check our ticketing site or with our Front Desk team to confirm.
2026 Free Day Schedule
- January 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
- March 9-11
- June 1-3
- June 22-24
- July 20-22
- August 24-26
- September 8-11
- September 14-18
- September 21-25
- September 28-October 2
- October 5-9
- November 2-4
- November 30-December 2
- December 7-8
List updated August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tickets can either be reserved through our online ticketing system or in person at the front desk during check in. Visitors can either enter their address through our online ticketing system to show proof of residency or present proof of Illinois residency in person during their visit.
Illinois Resident Free Day tickets grant visitors basic general admission to most of the Nature Museum's exhibit and grounds. The only exhibit not included in basic general admission is the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Visitors wishing to access the Butterfly Haven can purchase an add-on ticket for $5/person.
Illinois Resident Free Day tickets apply to individual tickets only, and are not available for group visit registrations. Limited space is available for group visits on Illinois Resident Free Days, and groups must be registered in advance and pay a discounted group admission rate. Please click here for more information about group visits.
No, beginning in January 2026, the Nature Museum stopped offering free admission every Thursday and expanded the schedule of Illinois Resident Free Days to include more days. We still offer 52 free days annually, but the schedule varies throughout the year. Diversifying the schedule for Illinois Resident Free Days creates more equitable access for Illinois families and allows us to maximize resources during time periods we encourage guests to visit the Nature Museum.
Yes, the Nature Museum offers a variety of ways for visitors to enjoy free or discounted general basic admission all year, including Blue Star Families admission, Gold Star Families admission, and reciprocal admission for the Association of Science and Technology Centers Passport Program members. Please click here for details about these and other discounted and free admission tickets.
Experience nature and science up close with a trip to the Nature Museum.