PLEASE NOTE: Explore More Illinois is not affiliated with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Please visit the DNR's portal to make campsite reservations or to purchase licenses and permits.
What is Explore More Illinois?
Explore More Illinois allows cardholders from participating RAILS and IHLS public libraries to reserve free and discounted admission, parking, and gift store purchases from cultural and recreational attractions in Illinois, including museums, cultural centers, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies, park districts, and more.
Watch the video below to see how easy it is to use Explore More Illinois.
FAQs for Explore More Illinois Users
Explore More Illinois is a cultural pass program that allows Illinois public library cardholders access discounts at museums, park districts, historical societies, zoos, arts centers, recreational facilities, and other attractions.
Check out the Explore More Illinois login page to see if your library is participating, Type in your library card number and password (if applicable) to search for offers at attractions around the state. If you are having problems logging into Explore More Illinois, call your local library for help.
Your library should have a link to Explore More Illinois from their website. You can also go directly to https://exploremore.quipugroup.net and choose their home library from the drop down menu. Enter your library barcode and password or PIN.
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.
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.
You can cancel a reservation before you print or download a pass.
Some attractions are available only to users who live in certain library districts or ZIP codes. You will not see these offers. You will also not see attractions or offers to places where you have already used the allotted number of passes.
Please call or visit your library. You may have an issue with your account, such as an expired card or fines. Your library will assist you in solving the problem.
You can have three active reservations at one time. Once one of the reservation dates has past, you can make another reservation.
Adults 18 and over can make reservations in Explore More Illinois. Photo ID must be shown on at the attraction on the day of the reservation.
Attractions can limit how many times a patron can make a reservation. If you are out of reservations, they will not see the offer when you log into Explore More Illinois.
Yes, you will get a reminder email three days before your 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.