Chicago History Museum lists “Illinois Teachers” in its free admission list, so this is an Illinois offer. The visit page says to present relevant identification at the Ticket Desk to receive the discounts on that list, and Illinois school groups get in free on a field trip too.
Adult admission is $24 for a non-Chicago resident and $19 for a Chicago resident, so free admission is a real saving. The page doesn’t spell out a few details, and we’ve listed those below so you can ask before you go.
How To Get The Chicago History Museum Teacher Discount
Go to the Ticket Desk and present relevant identification. The visit page puts this under a FAQ answer that lists who gets free admission, and “Illinois Teachers” is one of the entries, next to museum members, pre-registered school field trips and several other groups. It doesn’t name the ID you should bring.
Since the museum doesn’t say which ID counts, bring something that shows who you are and where you teach, and ask at the Ticket Desk if you’re unsure.
Bringing An Illinois Class
The field trip planning tips page says all Illinois school groups are admitted free of charge, and that field trips are free for all Illinois groups, including students and chaperones that meet the ratio requirements. The museum requires one adult for every ten students in grades 3 through 12, and one adult for every five children in grades pre-K through 2. Adults over those ratios are charged a fee, and the page gives it as $12 in one place and $10 in another.
Reservations go through the online form, because the page says they aren’t accepted by telephone. It asks you to schedule your visit at least three weeks in advance. Visits begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and the maximum group size is 100 for a self-guided visit.
If You Teach Outside Illinois
The visit page names only Illinois Teachers, so there’s no individual teacher perk we can point to for out-of-state teachers. The planning tips page says out-of-state groups are charged discounted admission of $10 for students and $12 for teachers and chaperones, which is the route if you’re bringing a class. Its FAQ gives different numbers, covered below.
Professional Development
The educator programs page says the museum’s professional development programs provide rich and unique experiences with history. It also invites educators to email school programs staff to set up a free one-hour Zoom meeting about matching museum resources to your needs. Programs are listed there with their own details, so check the page for what’s open.
What We Couldn’t Confirm
The museum words the benefit as “Illinois Teachers” and doesn’t define it. It doesn’t say whether that means you teach in Illinois or live there, which grades count, whether private school, homeschool or retired teachers are included, or what ID to show. We also couldn’t find a date range or an end date for the benefit, and the page doesn’t say whether it covers a guest.
The planning tips page doesn’t agree with itself on prices. One section says out-of-state groups pay $10 for students and $12 for teachers and chaperones, and charges $12 for each adult over the chaperone ratios. Its FAQ says $10 per chaperone or adult and $9 per student, with $10 for each adult over the ratios. Confirm the figure when you reserve. For the Illinois teacher entry, the visit page lists (312) 642-4600 for questions.
Q&A
Is there a Chicago History Museum teacher discount?
The visit page lists “Illinois Teachers” under free admission. You present relevant identification at the Ticket Desk.
Do I have to live in Illinois?
The museum doesn’t say. It words the entry as “Illinois Teachers” and doesn’t say whether that means teaching in Illinois or living there.
What ID do I bring?
The page says relevant identification and doesn’t name the type.
Is it free for my whole class?
For Illinois school groups, yes. The planning tips page says all Illinois school groups are admitted free of charge, with the chaperone ratios above.
What do out-of-state groups pay?
The planning tips page says $10 for students and $12 for teachers and chaperones in one place, and $9 per student and $10 per chaperone or adult in its FAQ. Confirm the price when you reserve.
Can I reserve a field trip by phone?
No. The page says reservations aren’t accepted by telephone, so use the online form, at least three weeks ahead.
More Information:
The details above come from Chicago History Museum’s own visit, field trip planning tips and educator programs pages as they loaded when we checked, and the free admission wording may change without notice. See more entertainment discounts for teachers.