Explore More Illinois

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Explore More Illinois is a free service provided by your library that provides instant online access to free and discounted tickets to museums, science centers, sporting events, zoos, park districts, theatres, and other fun and local cultural venues.

Use your Gail Borden library card to login and check the participating locations.

Zoom and move around the map to discover attractions around Illinois

Participating Attractions

  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum / Springfield, IL
  • American Writers Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archives / Davenport, IA
  • Buffalo Grove Park District Community Arts Center / Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Cantigny / Wheaton, IL
  • Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Botanic Garden / Glencoe, IL
  • Chicago Children's Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Hounds Major League Rugby / Bridgeview, IL
  • Chicago Maritime Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago a cappella / Chicago, IL
  • Children's Discovery Museum / Normal, IL
  • Civil War Museum / Kenosha, WI
  • David Davis Mansion State Historical Site / Bloomington, IL
  • Des Plaines History Center / Des Plaines, IL
  • Dillon Home Museum / Sterling, IL
  • Dinosaur Discovery Museum / Kenosha, WI
  • Doudna Fine Arts Center / Charleston, IL
  • DuPage Children's Museum / Naperville, IL
  • DuPage Symphony Orchestra / Naperville, IL
  • Edwards Place / Springfield, IL
  • Evanston History Center / Evanston, IL
  • Exploration Station / Bourbonnais, IL
  • First Floor Theater / Chicago, IL
  • Forest Park Nature Center / Peoria Heights, IL
  • Fox River Grove Memorial Public Library / Fox River Grove, IL
  • German American Heritage Center & Museum / Davenport, IA
  • Griffin Museum of Science and Industry / Chicago, IL
  • Haitian American Museum of Chicago / Chicago, IL
  • Harris Theater for Music and Dance / Chicago, IL
  • Historic Auto Attractions / Roscoe, IL
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum / Skokie, IL
  • Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra/ Ottawa, IL
  • Kankakee Valley Theatre Association / Kankakee, IL
  • Kenosha City Museum / Kenosha, WI
  • Kidzeum of Health and Science / Springfield, IL
  • Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art / Oak Brook, IL
  • Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art / Evanston, IL
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago / Chicago, IL
  • Peoria Park District PlayHouse Children's Museum / Peoria, IL
  • Quad City Botanical Center / Rock Island, IL
  • Raupp Museum / Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Springfield Art Association / Springfield, IL
  • Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens / Rockford, IL
  • Vermilion County Museum / Danville, IL
  • Volo Museum / Volo, IL
  • Western Illinois Museum / Macomb, IL

This list was last updated on February 2025. The list of participating and attractions and their offers are subject to change, Please log into Explore More Illinois to see the most current offerings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Explore More Illinois

How do I access Explore More Illinois?
You can click here to acess the Explore More Illinois login page. You can also go directly to https://exploremore.quipugroup.net and choose the Gail Borden Public Library District from the drop down menu. Enter your library card barcode and PIN.

How can I search for offers?
Once you are logged in, you will see offers for the upcoming three months. You can also search for offers by date, attraction name, or location. Information about each attraction and the offer is available before making the reservation.

How can I make a reservation?
Reservations must be made for a specific date. Using the calendar, you can choose what date you want to make the reservation for and then choose the Reserve option under the attraction. A confirmation box will appear, and a confirmation email will be sent to the patron. You have the option of printing out a pass at that time, or they can choose to print it out later.

Can I cancel a reservation?
You can cancel a reservation before you print or download a pass.

What do you need to bring to the attraction on the day of the reservation?
You will need to bring a photo ID and either a smartphone with the pass available on the phone or a printed copy of the pass. Some attractions require a printed copy, and that will be indicated when the you make the reservation.

For a complete list of Frequently Asked Questions please visit the Explore More Illinois FAQ Page.