Free Chicago Public Library Museum Passes

Harold Washington Library photo courtesy of Verbs & Vision

The Chicago Public Library doesn’t just supply books and periodicals, it’s also a great resource for museum passes that grant free admission to many Chicago museums. and attractions Check out the details to learn how to obtain a museum pass at the library.

Who is eligible

If you’re a Chicago Public Library (CPL) cardholder and an adult resident of Chicago, you may reserve a digital Explore More Illinois Pass, which gives free admission to museums and attractions all over Illinois.

How It Works

Get access to attractions across Illinois, including museums, historical societies, zoos and more. This digital pass program is accessible online 24/7, with no need to visit a Chicago library location to check out or return a pass.

Reservations can be made by adult Chicago residents with physical CPL library cards in good standing. You can log in with your library card number and pin to reserve a pass for a specific date and must use the reservation on that date.

If you don’t know your card number and pin, please contact your home library for help.

Reservations Details

Reservations must be made for a specific date. The digital pass is only valid for the reservation date listed on the pass – attractions have the right to decline a pass if you attempt to use it on a different date.
We recommend waiting to print or download your digital pass until you are sure you will be able to use it on the reservation date. Learn how to cancel or change your reservation.
You will get a reminder email three days before your reservation.
Some attractions will accept a mobile pass or printed pass; others will accept a printed pass only. We encourage you to visit your local library location if you need assistance printing.
Reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance (specifically, the current month plus the next two full months.
The person who makes the reservation must be present and able to provide an ID with the same name as is on the reservation.
Make sure to bring your confirmation – the attraction you visit will not be able to look up your digital pass reservation.

Museum Admissions

Digital Explore More Illinois passes allow you free general admission to the museum. Some museums allow only one person free admission, others up to four. There are also restrictions on how often you can use the pass and on what days so please read the offer details.

Major museums included in the program are the Chicago Children’s Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, American Writers Museum and Museum of Science and Industry

Passes are also available for the Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago Botanic Gardens, DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, Brookfield Zoo, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Pritzker Military Museum & Library.