In Chicago, the city revered for deep-dish pizza and wind that cuts sharper than a political debate, museum aficionados are getting a cultural windfall during the Democratic National Convention this week. Several museums are deploying their arsenal of exhibits to the public, sans charge, dovetailing with the DNC buzz.

Scheduled in the strategic hours of evening lulls and twilight moments, participating institutions like the mighty Art Institute of Chicago are beckoning Illinois residents with free admissions. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, residents can immerse in the Art Institute's collection that spans centuries and continents, without the burden of an entry fee. According to NBC Chicago, "Art-lovers can reserve their tickets for free."

The Adler Planetarium, too, is opening its celestial gates for free from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 21, allowing for an evening stroll through the stars. For those with a passion for natural history, the Field Museum is also joining the fray of freebies, offering exhibits that tell the Earth's story, on Aug. 21 without charge for Illinois residents, just remember to bring proof of residency since online booking isn’t an option. If you ever wondered about the intersection of nature and urban environments, then note the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, with its free Thursday tickets for locals. These museums, along with perennial freebies like the Lincoln Park Zoo and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, are positioned as cultural oases amid the political desert, as per information on NBC Chicago.

For culture enthusiasts, the Museum of Contemporary Art veers from the traditional ticketing system, adopting a "pay-what-you-can policy," ensuring inclusive access to contemporary wonders, as detailed by Choose Chicago.