Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is free published dates — for Illinois residents only; free-day tickets are for individual visitors, not group-visit registrations.. Illinois residents get free basic admission on specific 'Illinois Resident Days' clustered throughout the year, or can visit any other day with a $10 suggested household donation. Free-day admission excludes the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Reserve online or in person; groups of 10+ cannot use free-day pricing and must book separate discounted group rates. Verified on Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's own page, last checked 2026-09-04.
| Free day | Published dates |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Illinois residents only; free-day tickets are for individual visitors, not group-visit registrations. |
| Reservation | Reserve online or in person; groups of 10+ cannot use free-day pricing and must book separate discounted group rates. |
| What's included | Free basic admission covers general exhibits; the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is excluded and can be added for $5/person. |
| Regular adult price | Standard adult admission is $15 for Illinois residents, $17 for out-of-state visitors. |
| Source | naturemuseum.org · checked 2026-09-04 |
Eligibility: Illinois residents only; free-day tickets are for individual visitors, not group-visit registrations.. Free basic admission covers general exhibits; the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is excluded and can be added for $5/person.. Skipping the ticket window here saves Standard adult admission is $15 for Illinois residents, $17 for out-of-state visitors. per adult.
Worth knowing: Even on Illinois Resident Free Days, the popular Judy Istock Butterfly Haven isn't included — it's a separate $5 add-on ticket.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago (published dates) · Adler Planetarium (wednesdays 4pm–10pm) · Art Institute of Chicago (3rd thursday monthly 5pm–8pm) · Chicago Children's Museum (no regular free day) · Chicago History Museum (published dates) · DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (wednesdays) · Field Museum (wednesdays) · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (published dates) — or see the full free museum days in Chicago guide.
↥ Check another museum → Browse all free museum & zoo days →
Illinois residents get free basic admission on specific 'Illinois Resident Days' clustered throughout the year, or can visit any other day with a $10 suggested household donation. Free-day admission excludes the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven.
Reserve online or in person; groups of 10+ cannot use free-day pricing and must book separate discounted group rates.
The free days are for Illinois residents only; free-day tickets are for individual visitors, not group-visit registrations. — typically with ID or proof of residency. Visitors pay regular admission (Standard adult admission is $15 for Illinois residents, $17 for out-of-state visitors.).
Free basic admission covers general exhibits; the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is excluded and can be added for $5/person.
Standard adult admission is $15 for Illinois residents, $17 for out-of-state visitors.. That's what a well-timed visit saves you.