To begin your Museum Adventure, visit your local public library to check out a pass. Passes are restricted to registered borrowers of each library.

Admission offers vary per museum, and are included with each listing below.

Search for libraries and museums near you

 

Air Classic Inc. Museum of Aviation

Get up close and personal with an A-7E Corsair II Navy Attack Bomber, combat veteran from Desert Storm that flew from the deck of the USS John F. Kennedy. Be the pilot of a Huey helicopter of Viet Nam fame.

44W546 US Route 30
Sugar Grove IL, 60554-9886

Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 3 pm

Admits one person (Senior, Adult or Child) free with one paid adult admission Saturday and Sunday only, plus 10% off in gift shop.

Website

 

Arlington Heights Historical Museum

Celebrates the link between the past and the future.

112 W. Fremont Street
Arlington Heights IL, 60004

Hours: Tour Hour: Saturdays and Sundays at 2 & 3 pm. Groups of 6 or more by appointment. Heritage Gallery and Shop Hours: Friday through Sunday 1:30-4:30p.m.

Admits 2 (Valid for tours only. Tours are on Saturdays and Sundays only at 2 & 3 pm only. Not valid for special events such as Irish Fest, House Walk, etc.) The Pass also allows 10% off purchases in the Heritage Gallery Shop while visiting for a tour.

Website

 

Bronzeville Children's Museum

First and only African American children's museum in the nation.

9301 South Stony Island Avenue
Chicago IL, 60617

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm (Hourly guided interactive tours for children ages 3-9. Tour hours are 10, 11, 12, 1, and last tour is at 2:00 pm)

Admits 2 (Buy one, get one free. Limit is two admissions per family)

Website

 

Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society)

A world leader in animal care, conservation, and education, Brookfield Zoo is celebrating 75 years of fun this year!

First Ave. and 31st St.
Brookfield IL, 60513

Hours: Open Daily 10 to 5.

Admits 2 (Passes are valid for Brookfield Zoo only and does not include parking or admission to any internal exhibits or attractions, such as Dolphin Show, Butterflies!, Children's Zoo, Temporary exhibits, Motor Safari, etc.)

Website

 

Cantigny Park

In addition to vast formal gardens and picnic and camping grounds, Cantigny offers two history-rich museums: the Robert R. McCormick Museum and the Cantigny First Division Museum, fascinating for children and researchers alike.

1S151 Winfield Road
Wheaton IL, 60189

Hours: 10am - 5pm (May-October); 10am - 4pm (November-April): Closed November 22, 23, December 24, 25 and 31 and all of January.

Admits 1 vehicle - Limited to one car per use.

Website

 

Chicago Botanic Garden

With its world-renowned plant collections and displays, it is one of the country's most visited public gardens and preeminent center for learning and scientific research.

1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe IL, 60022

Hours: 8 am - sunset, everyday. Extended hours early June - Labor Day 7 am to 9 pm. Christmas Eve - close at 3pm.

Admits 1 car at 50% off per pass

Website

 

Elgin History Museum

Housed in an 1856 landmark building and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum brings to life Elgin's rich heritage.

360 Park Street
Elgin IL, 60120

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 12-4 p.m. (Now open year-round!)

Admits 4

Website

 

Elgin Public Museum

Offers exhibits and educational programs with natural history and cultural themes for families, school groups, scouts, clubs, organizations, homeschoolers, and anyone who wants to have fun while learning!

225 Grand Boulevard
Elgin IL, 60120

Hours: Spring, Fall, and Winter Hours: Sunday and Saturday, 12 to 4pm; Summer Hours (beginning May 26 thru Labor Day: Tuesday thru Sunday, 12 to 4pm, Closed month of January.

10% Discount on all museum store purchases

Website

 

Illinois Railway Museum

America’s largest railway museum, featuring many pieces of historic railway equipment on display, and regular operation on our demonstration railroad. Take a ride on one of our many restored trains and experience a museum in motion.

7000 Olson Rd (Mailing: PO Box 427)
Union IL, 60180

Hours: Weekend operations: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM, grounds 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Weekday operations: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, grounds 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

2 free passes with the purchase of 2, or 1 free pass with the purchase of 1

Website

 

Lake County Discovery Museum

Offers the fun of a big city museum, close to home with its permanent and temporary exhibits including an 11-foot Mastodon and the world's largest collection of picture postcards.

27277 N. Forest Preserve Road
Wauconda IL, 60084

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Admits 2 (passes are valid for general admission only. Not valid for use during public programs and special events where special admission rates apply)

Website

 

Legoland Discovery Center

Your passport to a LEGO® world of color, creativity and fun. Attractions include; Miniland, Jungle Expedition, Kingdom Quest Laser Ride, Merlin’s Apprentice Ride, LEGO Factory Tour, 4D Cinema, LEGO City Construction Site, Model Builder Workshop, Build and Test area and more! All attractions are included in general admission price. Recommended visit time: 1.5 – 3 hours.

601 N Martingale Rd #130
Schaumburg IL, 60173

Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 7pm (last ticket sold at 5pm) Mon – Fri 12pm – 7pm (last ticket sold at 5pm)

Admits one person (Senior, Adult or Child) free with one paid admission at the door. Individual Door Price Ticket: $20.00. Children 2 and under are free.

Website

 

Mitchell Museum of the American Indian

The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is one of only a handful of museums across the country that focuses exclusively on the art, history, and culture of Native American and First Nation peoples from throughout the United States and Canada. It promotes public understanding of cultural diversity through first voice perspectives.

3001 Central Street
Evanston IL, 60201

Hours: T, W, F, Sat. 10 AM to 5 PM; Th. 10 AM to 8 PM; Sun. Noon to 4 PM; Closed Mondays

Admits 2 free for regular museum admission

Website

 

Naper Settlement

Naper Settlement is a nationally accredited outdoor museum located in downtown Naperville, Illinois. The museum maintains 30 historic buildings on a 12 acre site with over 50,000 objects. Museum staff and volunteers interpret life from the 19th century to today, while wearing period-correct costumes.

523 South Webster Street
Naperville Illinois, 60540

Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 4pm; Sun 1pm to 4pm

1. Pass is valid on days general admission to Naper Settlement is offered, from April 1 – Oct 31, 2013 2. Pass allows a maximum of two people to receive free admission when purchasing 1 or more admission tickets 3. Pass is not valid for special events admittance or events sponsored on museum grounds by others with entry fee

Website

 

Oriental Institute Museum

Presents informative and engaging exhibits and programs on ancient Egypt, Nubia, Israel, Iraq, Iran and Turkey. Come to the museum store, the Suq's holiday sale, December 1 - 9! Nonmembers receive 15% off and members receive 20% off entire store.

1155 E. 58th Street
Chicago IL, 60637

Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM; Wednesday: 10 AM - 8:30 PM; Sunday: Noon - 6:00 PM; Closed Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

One free Kid's i-Pod tour of the Egyptian Gallery per pass. General admission is free (donation suggested).

Website

 

Pleasant Home Foundation

Pleasant Home is a landmark prairie style house museum, designed in 1897 by George W. Maher. The home is one of the earliest and most distinguished examples of prairie school architecture. Pleasant Home is the only Maher building open to the public as a museum.

217 Home Avenue
Oak Park IL, 60302

Hours: Tours Thursday through Sunday 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30pm or by appointment.

2 Free Tour admissions

Website

 

St. Charles Heritage Museum

Exhibits highlight early settlers, agriculture, industry, education, the Richard's Riot, millionaires and tourism in the Roaring Twenties.

215 E. Main Street
St. Charles IL, 60174

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm; Closed on Sunday and Monday

15% discount on visitors entire gift shop purchase with some exclusions.

Website

 

The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn

5100 Museum Drive
Oak Lawn IL, 60453

Hours: Monday: Closed Tues - Sat: 9:30am to 5:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm to 5:00pm Evenings: 2nd and 4th Friday until 8:00pm

This pass is a buy one/get one free pass. Pay for one adult and the child gets in free. If additional people are with you, each of them pay the regular admission price. Limit 1

Website