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
  • Anderson Japanese Gardens / Rockford, IL
  • Bix Beiderbecke Museum and Archives / Davenport, IA
  • Bronzeville Children’s Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Buffalo Grove Park District Community Arts Center / Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House / Moline, IL
  • Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Botanic Garden / Glencoe, IL
  • Chicago Children's Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago History Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Maritime Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Chicago Red Stars / Bridgeview, 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
  • Discovery Center Museum / Rockford, IL
  • DuPage Children's Museum / Naperville, IL
  • The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center / Chicago, IL
  • Edwards Place / Springfield, IL
  • Ellwood House Museum / DeKalb, IL
  • Exploration Station / Bourbonnais, IL
  • Fox River Grove Memorial Public Library / Fox River Grove, IL
  • Galesburg Parks and Recreation Lake Storey Beach Boats / Galesburg, IL
  • Galesburg Parks and Recreation Lakeside Water Park / Galesburg, IL
  • German American Heritage Center & Museum / Davenport, IA
  • Haitian American Museum of Chicago / Chicago, IL
  • Historic Auto Attractions / Roscoe, IL
  • Illinois Holocaust Museum / Skokie, IL
  • The Insect Asylum / Chicago, IL
  • Kenosha City Museum / Kenosha, WI
  • Kidzeum of Health and Science / Springfield, IL
  • Lincoln Heritage Museum / Lincoln, IL
  • Lincoln Park Zoo / Chicago, IL
  • Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art / Oak Brook, IL
  • Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art / Evanston, IL
  • McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage/ Glen Ellyn, IL
  • McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum / Chicago, IL
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago / Chicago, IL
  • Museum of Science and Industry / Chicago, IL
  • Museum of the Grand Prairie / Mahomet, IL
  • National Museum of Mexican Art / Chicago, IL
  • The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture / Chicago, IL
  • Normal CornBelters / Normal, IL
  • Normal Theater / Normal, IL
  • Peoria Park District PlayHouse Children's Museum / Peoria, IL
  • Pritzker Military Museum & Library / Chicago, IL
  • Raupp Museum / Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Soulside Healing Arts / Peoria, 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
  • Wheels O' Time Museum / Dunlap, IL
  • Whim Chicago @ Stage 773 / Chicago

This list was last updated on August 7, 2024. 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.