Field Museum

About

Chicago's Field Museum stands as one of the premier natural history museums in the world, housing over 40 million artifacts and specimens across its massive lakefront building. From the moment you walk in, the scale is impressive - SUE, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever found, greets visitors in a dedicated gallery that brings the Cretaceous period to life.

The museum's permanent collections span an extraordinary range. Inside Ancient Egypt takes you through a real ancient tomb replica across three levels. The Evolving Planet exhibit traces 4 billion years of life on Earth through fossils, interactive displays, and immersive environments. The Halls of Gems and Jades showcase dazzling mineral specimens, while the recently reimagined galleries on Native American cultures offer thoughtful, community-informed perspectives on Indigenous history.

Families will find plenty to keep younger visitors engaged. The Crown Family PlayLab gives kids hands-on experiences with real specimens and nature-based activities. Temporary exhibitions rotate throughout the year, covering everything from ancient civilizations to cutting-edge science, so there's always something new even for repeat visitors.

The Field Museum sits on Chicago's Museum Campus along Lake Michigan, sharing green space with the Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. It's an easy spot to build a full day of exploration. The surrounding parkland offers great views of the city skyline and lakefront.

Practical tips: the museum is large, so comfortable shoes are a must. Plan at least three to four hours for a solid visit, though you could easily spend a full day. Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded. Check the museum's website before your visit for current hours, ticket prices, and any special exhibition details. A cafe and additional dining options are available inside.

Accessibility

The Field Museum offers strong accessibility features throughout the building. The East entrance is wheelchair-accessible and serves as the primary accessible entry point. The main South entrance is also available to visitors.

Wheelchairs are provided at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis at both the East and South entrances. These cannot be reserved in advance, so arriving early is recommended if you'll need one.

Parking is available in the East Museum Lot on Museum Campus Drive, which offers wheelchair-accessible paid parking spots on a first-come, first-served basis. An ADA placard or license plate is required for accessible parking spaces.

For visitors arriving by public transit, Pace's Chicago ADA paratransit service provides transportation to the museum. A passenger drop-off area is located on the East side of the building near the East parking lot entrance.

The museum provides sensory accommodations including sensory bags for visitors with sensory sensitivities. Auditory and tactile guides are also available to support visitors who are blind or have low vision.

The building's interior is generally accessible, with elevators connecting multiple levels of exhibit space. Contact the Field Museum directly at 312-922-9410 for the most current details on specific exhibit accessibility, assistive listening devices, service animal policies, and accessible restroom locations throughout the building.

More accessible places in Illinois

• Adler Planetarium (Chicago)
• National Museum of Mexican Art (Chicago)
• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
• DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center (Chicago)
• Garfield Park Conservatory (Chicago)
• Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (Chicago)