Field Museum — Attraction in Chicago

We visited the Field Museum in Chicago primarily to see the dinosaur exhibits, and we were absolutely blown away. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear this is a world-class natural history museum with thoughtfully curated exhibits, interactive experiences, and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.

The highlight for us was definitely Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Sue’s exhibit is impressively detailed, complete with a video and background on her fascinating history, explaining her discovery and her significance in paleontology. There are several interactive elements that make the experience immersive—you can smell what her breath might have smelled like and even feel her roar through sound waves, which adds an incredibly fun and educational component. Beyond Sue, there are other dinosaur specimens, each beautifully displayed and accompanied by educational signage. You can also check out Sue’s actual skull in a separate exhibit, since her skull is studied extensively by paleontologists, while a recreation of her skull sits on her full skeleton standly proudly in the main dinosaur hall. Over 90% are her actual bones.

But the Field Museum is far more than just dinosaurs. With nearly 40 million artifacts and specimens, there’s a huge breadth of collections to explore, from ancient Egypt tomb artifacts to centuries of Chinese culture, the story of Earth’s evolution, and incredible dinosaur exhibits including Maximo the titanosaur, the largest dinosaur skeleton ever discovered. They also conduct ongoing scientific research on their collections, which adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the experience.

There are some special exhibits that require add-on tickets, as well as occasional 3D shows that are included with admission, adding another level of engagement. Tickets are highly recommended to purchase in advance, and the museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:00 p.m. They are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and sometimes you can find Groupons for early access or discounted general admission, which is worth checking out if you want to save a little.

The museum itself is beautiful and multi-storied. From the outside, it may look smaller than it is, but once you enter and explore, you realize it’s enormous, with multiple floors and plenty of photo opportunities both inside and outside. The grounds are lovely, lined with flowers along the pathways, and you can also take advantage of cameras being allowed to capture the experience. There’s a cafeteria with vending machines, but you’re also welcome to bring your own lunch, which is convenient for a full-day visit.

We arrived a little late, so we didn’t get to see everything, which just goes to show how large and extensive the Field Museum is. For those who want to explore the full range of exhibits, I highly recommend arriving early. There is on-site parking available for $32, but you can also find street parking for about half the price, with just a slightly longer walk.

The Field Museum is right next door to the Shedd Aquarium, which closes at 6:00 p.m. on weekends and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, so if you start early, it’s even possible to visit both on the same day. With its vast collections, interactive exhibits, scientific research, and educational opportunities, it’s no wonder the Field Museum is considered one of the best natural history museums in the world. Once you go, you’ll understand why—it’s a must-visit for families, tourists, and anyone interested in dinosaurs, history,...

Major shout out to Soto for even though I didn’t like what I was hearing about the Veterans discounts. He was still truly setting the bar for excellence and was able to get us the veteran discount as well as the teachers discount as well as the student discount. I was pretty sure I read online. It was free for the Veteran and for 6 of the family members but somehow and they’re the wording was changed, but it’s you get veterans get free And you get six family members at 50% off we didn’t get a whole lot of time cause the museum closes too early but regardless with a short amount of time we need to get it was interesting. I’ve been here before with my wife and daughter over spring break. We visited all the museums some of the other museums are a bit more generous to the veterans and their families, but still grateful that they honor our veterans and give us free admission. Just wish they wouldn’t burden us with the 50% discount because you know at the end of the day it’s the disabled Veteran on a fixed income that’s paying the bill that you’re asking the 50% of with all the grants, scholarships donations and several other contributors. I feel like you guys probably have enough funds to allow Veterans and their families access for freejust saying it’d be really nice if it was just six free better yet seven is a much better number it represents some more godly number.

There’s lots to do here many exhibits. They definitely have a large exhibit on dinosaurs. You kinda have to be looking for the exhibit, though cause you can walk past it..

Lots of fun, exhibits our families and the kiddos to run around and look at full of rich history of various topics from insects to gemstones to fossils dinosaurs early American history there is definitely something for the entire family to enjoy.

As always, with these kind of things, food souvenirs marked up quite a bit, but I’m sure that everybody could find a token that would be something memorable to them about the museum is a very rich history and lots of rich exhibits definitely a part of Chicago’s history, there’s no museums in the world that have quite the displays that this museum has Like we said we’ve been here several times with my family over spring break. We usually hit all the museums up.

If you park in the front lot closest to the museum, you’re looking at 35+ dollars they do have handicap parking but the parking lot that I was in all the handicap side was flooded so we had to park the brand new 2025 Cadillac in the flooded area Not what I expect when I pay 35+ dollar for parking

I was gonna give a negative star review because Soto kind of had an attitude when he was explaining the whole Veterans thing. But im sure slot of that had to due with he didn’t want to lose his job over. Keep a museum policy. Needless to say I think the museum could do more for veterans and their families, but I’ll bless you and give you a five star view because that’s what Jesus teaches us to do may God bless you for your generosity to Veterans.

Looking forward to many future visits...

Title: Unwrapping the Wonders of the Ancient World - Field Museum Chicago Review

Rating: 5/5 Stars

The Field Museum Chicago is a treasure trove of natural history, and my recent visit was an awe-inspiring adventure! With over 20 million specimens in its collections, this iconic museum is a must-visit destination for anyone fascinated by the ancient world, dinosaurs, and the natural sciences.

Egyptian Mummy Section: The Field Museum's Egyptian collection is one of the largest and most impressive in the world. The centerpiece is the stunning array of mummies, including the beautifully preserved Gebelein Man, the oldest mummy in the world. You can also explore the intricately decorated coffins, sarcophagi, and temple reliefs, gaining a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian culture and funerary practices.

Sue the Dinosaur Rex: Meet Sue, the largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever found! This majestic creature dominates the Stanley Field Hall, its 40.5-foot-long skeleton a testament to the power and ferocity of the "King of the Tyrants." You can even get up close and personal with Sue's skull, which is displayed separately.

Blood Sucker: The "Blood Sucker" exhibit is a fascinating exploration of leeches, ticks, and other blood-feeding creatures. You'll learn about their importance in medicine, their unique biology, and even get to see live specimens up close (if you dare!).

Additional Highlights:

Ancient Egyptian Temple: A recreated temple from the 13th century BCE, complete with intricate carvings and hieroglyphics. Dinosaur Fossil Prep Lab: Watch as paleontologists work on uncovering new dinosaur discoveries. Hall of Jade: A stunning collection of jade artifacts from ancient China. Ancient Americas: Explore the cultures and artifacts of the Aztecs, Mayans, and other ancient American civilizations.

Tips and Recommendations:

Plan to spend at least 4-5 hours exploring the museum, as there's so much to see and do. Take a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of the exhibits and collections. Don't miss the temporary exhibitions, which offer fresh perspectives and insights. Visit the Field Museum's online collections to explore even more specimens and artifacts.

In conclusion, the Field Museum Chicago is a world-class institution that exceeded my expectations. With its vast collections, interactive exhibits, and stunning displays, it's an unforgettable adventure for anyone curious about the natural world, ancient cultures, and the...