Free museum days in 2012

It's no secret that family outings can come with a hefty price tag. Luckily there are plenty of free days at Chicagoland museums to enjoy throughout the year.

Adler Planetarium
(1300 S Lake Shore Dr, 312-922-7827, adlerplanetarium.org)
*2012 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID.
May: 1-2
June: 1, 4-8

Art Institute of Chicago*
(111 S Michigan Ave, 312-443-3600, artic.edu/aic)
*Illinois residents with ID receive free admission the first and second Wednesday of every month.
Illinois residents receive a $2 discount after February 10, 2012.

Brookfield Zoo
(3300 Golf Rd; Brookfield, 708-688-8000, czs.org/czs/Brookfield/Zoo-Home)
The next free days will take place in October. Specific dates TBD.
Active military personnel receive free admission daily. Parking $10.

Chicago Botanic Garden
(1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe; 847-835-5440, chicagobotanic.org)
Free admission daily. Parking $20 per car, $7 for senior citizens on Tuesdays. Free parking is available for active military personnel and non-active Illinois POWs. The Metra Union Pacific North line stops just outside the gates, which means you can avoid parking if you're up for a train ride with the fam.

Chicago Children's Museum
(700 E Grand Ave, 312-527-1000, chicagochildrensmuseum.org)
Free Thursday evenings from 5–8pm. The first Sunday of every month is free for children 15 and younger.

Chicago History Museum
(1601 N Clark St, 312-642-4600, chicagohistory.org)
Free for children 12 and younger daily.
*2012 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID.
July: 4
August: 15-16, 22-23, 29-30
September: 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27
October: 2-4, 9-11

Clarke House Museum
(1827 S Indiana Ave, 312-326-1480, clarkehousemuseum.org)
Free admission every Wednesday, year round.

DuSable Museum of African American History
(740 E 56th Pl, 773-947-0600, dusablemuseum.org)
Free every Sunday, year round. Free admission for all CPS students on school days. Children younger than five are free. 

The Field Museum*
(1400 S Lake Shore Dr, 312-922-9410, fieldmuseum.org)
*2012 Illinois Resident Discount Days offer free general admission for Illinois residents with ID.
Summer 2012 discount days will be announced in May.
The Crown Family PlayLab is free with Basic admission and is open Thursday-Monday, 10am-4pm.

Glessner House Museum
(1800 S Prairie Ave, 312-326-1480, glessnerhouse.org)
Free admission every Wednesday, year round.