The Rockford area has some fantastic museums and gardens! If you want to visit these gems with your kids, you don’t have to break the bank. Here’s a list of 2022’s free or donation days for attractions in the Rockford area. Free and donation days took a break for the past few years, but they are back for many museums this year!
Anderson Japanese Gardens
Donation Days are the third Thursday of every month.
May 19
June 16
July 21
August 18
September 15
October 20
Burpee Museum of Natural History
Donation Days are ONLY for Illinois residents. Wisconsin residents, and others, will be charged full price.
April 20, 28
May 4, 10, 16, and 24
June 1, 13, and 27
July 18
August 16, 25, and 29
September 6, 14, 22, and 28
October 4, 10, 18, and 26
November 3, 9, 15, 21, and 29
December 5, 7, 13, 15, 19, 21, 27, and 29.
Donation Days are subject to change. Please check Burpee’s website to confirm.
Discovery Center
Free for IL residents only.
The Discovery Center does not publicize donation days. Call the museum at 815-963-6769 to ask about upcoming donation days.
Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
May 6 – May 13, 2022 from 9 am – 4 pm daily for Go Public Gardens Days.
Klehm is always free for any individual or family that receives SNAP benefits through the Museums for All program. Learn more about that program here.
Midway Village
May 1, 2022 for Peaches Playdate
August 15, 2022 for 815 Day
Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens
Nicholas Conservatory does not offer donation or free days, but does offer a Tropical Tuesday discount $4 for Rockford residents, $5 for non-residents.
Rockford Art Museum
Museum entry is free every day!
Rotary Botanical Gardens
June 21, 2022 from 11 am – 1 pm
Tinker Swiss Cottage
Every Wednesday in April
Every Tuesday in May
June 1 & 5
September: Every Tuesday
Donation days from October – December have not been published yet.
