Museum · Chicago
Field Museum of Natural History: free entry days, tickets & hours
Natural history museum on the Museum Campus, home of SUE the T. rex, Egyptian tomb galleries and vast specimen halls.
Independent guide, not the official Field Museum website. Official links are under Sources.
Field Museum is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Illinois Free Wednesdays: free general admission for Illinois residents every Wednesday; Children under 3 are always free; general admission for active-duty military, veterans and Illinois Gold Star ID holders; general admission for Illinois pre-K-12 teachers.
- Otherwise: general admission, starting price (non-Illinois guests) — $30.
Calendar
Free days at Field Museum
For Illinois residents
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · in 5 days · 09:00–17:00
- WED4NOVWednesday, 4 November 2026 · in 12 days · 09:00–17:00
- WED11NOVWednesday, 11 November 2026 · in 3 weeks · 09:00–17:00
- WED18NOVWednesday, 18 November 2026 · in 4 weeks · 09:00–17:00
- WED25NOVWednesday, 25 November 2026 · in 5 weeks · 09:00–17:00
- WED2DECWednesday, 2 December 2026 · in 6 weeks · 09:00–17:00
Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Illinois residents: every Wednesday is free, but book a timed ticket online to avoid sell-outs.
- Museums for All (EBT/Link or WIC) is $3 per person here, not free, and only sold at the museum.
- Special exhibitions are ticketed separately even on free days.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free dayIllinois Free Wednesdays: free general admission for Illinois residents every Wednesday · 09:00–17:00 | Illinois residents | Show proof of Illinois residency with your ticket. The museum's event calendar currently lists the series from 28 Oct 2026 to 31 Mar 2027. | No |
| Free forChildren under 3 are always free | children under 3 | — | No |
| Free forFree general admission for active-duty military, veterans and Illinois Gold Star ID holders | military members and families | Show ID when buying at the museum; up to six family members get a discount, not free entry. | No |
| Free forFree general admission for Illinois pre-K-12 teachers | Illinois teachers | Show employee ID at the museum. | No |
Official prices
Field Museum ticket prices
| General admission, starting price (non-Illinois guests) — Chicago residents from $21; Illinois residents $0 on Wednesdays. Prices shown as 'starting from'; seniors and students get $3 off. | $30 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (general admission, starting price (non-illinois guests)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Field Museum
GetYourGuideChicago: Field Museum of Natural History Ticket or VIP Tour★★★★★ 4.7 · 868 reviewsfrom $29
TiqetsThe Field Museum of Natural History: Entry Ticket★★★★★ 4.6 · 407 reviewsfrom $29
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 09:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 09:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 09:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 09:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 09:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 09:00–17:00 |
Open daily 9am-5pm, last entry 4pm. Select 'Legendary Late Hours' dates run to 9pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Field Museum: common questions
Is Field Museum free?
Field Museum has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Illinois Free Wednesdays: free general admission for Illinois residents every Wednesday; Children under 3 are always free; general admission for active-duty military, veterans and Illinois Gold Star ID holders; general admission for Illinois pre-K-12 teachers. Otherwise the official ticket costs $30.
When are the free days at Field Museum for Illinois residents?
Upcoming free dates for Illinois residents: Wed 28 Oct (09:00–17:00), Wed 4 Nov (09:00–17:00), Wed 11 Nov (09:00–17:00) and Wed 18 Nov (09:00–17:00). Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Who gets free entry to Field Museum?
Children under 3. Military members and families — show ID when buying at the museum; up to six family members get a discount, not free entry.. Illinois teachers — show employee ID at the museum..
How much is a ticket to Field Museum?
General admission, starting price (non-Illinois guests) costs $30 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Field Museum
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Sources
Where this comes from
- fieldmuseum.org/landing/tickets-and-pricing · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.