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Published: March 4, 2021

Make the Most of Your Museum Visit

Our insider’s guide to making the most of your visit with ideas for your group, interests, and budget.

With more than 4.5+ billion years of history—and tens of millions of specimens and objects under one roof—deciding where to start your visit can be tough. We recommend reserving at least four hours to ensure you hit the highlights. Visitors that arrive early usually enjoy a better experience. They can explore in the morning, gauge energy levels over lunch, then move to another Museum Campus attraction or enjoy the rest of the day at the Field. Read on for suggestions on what to see based on your group, cost-cutting tips, travel options, and more.

What to see

Best places for young ones

All ages are welcome to explore the Field, but some exhibitions are a better match for little ones than others. Visit these spaces for more interactive or multimedia experiences.

  • Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet: This is where you’ll find most of our dinosaurs, including SUE, the world’s best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex. Be sure to pick up a free copy of the Dinosaur Highlights Guide from the info desk to embark on your own self-guided paleontological adventure.
  • Máximo the Titanosaur: You can’t miss him! This dinosaur cast, which kids are welcome to touch, will greet you when you walk into our main Stanley Field Hall. Try texting Máximo at 1 (844) 994-3466 to learn more about him and have a delightful conversation about dinosaurs.
  • 3D movies: Movies last about 20 minutes and are a great opportunity to sit down and take a break.
  • Nature Walk: Stroll the boardwalk through some of our classic diorama scenes and see how many creatures you can find.

Best photo spots

Snap away! There’s no shortage of selfie opportunities at the Field. Don’t forget to tag your images with @FieldMuseum and #FieldMuseumFun when you share them on social media.

  • Quetzalcoatlus: Imagine you’re getting a hug from the giraffe-sized pterosaur sitting outside the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet.
  • SUE the T. rex: Find SUE’s gallery inside Evolving Planet. Wait a few minutes for the lighting to change colors and capture your favorite SUE look.
  • Photo murals in Abbot Hall of Conservation: Restoring Earth: Every great profile picture needs a great backdrop. These large-scale photos of iridescent beetle wings and snakeskin provide the perfect spot to pose.
  • Get eye level with Máximo on the second-floor balcony to capture his permanent prehistoric smile.

Best spots to hide from the crowds

Need some quiet time? Step into these serene spaces for a change of pace.

  • Plants of the World: Rows of displays showcase hundreds of realistic, handmade plant models. The low lighting and long halls make for a meditative respite and a new appreciation for nature.
  • Sue Ling Gin Garden: Enter this contemplative space after making your way through the Cyrus Tang Hall of China. Inspired by classical Chinese gardens, this indoor space includes sculptures, seating, and natural light. You can also reach it from Plants of the World or the dinosaur hall in Evolving Planet.
  • Ronald and Christina Gidwitz Hall of Birds: Wander the rows of winged specimens, then take a rest in the Artists’ Corner as you sit and admire bird-inspired art.
  • Rice Native Gardens:  Make your way through the paths in the gardens on the north side of the museum. You'll find benches nestled among native plants like milkweed, coneflower, and blazing star.

See more for less

Traveling can get expensive, but a trip to Field doesn’t have to be. We offer admission options for all groups and budgets.  

In-State Visitors: Keep an eye out for upcoming Free Admission Days for Illinois residents. You’ll enjoy Basic admission, which includes hits like SUE the T. rex, the Tsavo lions, the Fighting African Elephants, mummies, meteorites, and more. We also offer discounts for Chicago residents and Illinois teachers.

Out-of-State Visitors: If you’re coming from out of state and want to see all the Chicago sights, consider a CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on more attractions. Check out all these details and more as you plan your visit.

All Visitors: We offer discounts for active military personnel. As part of Museums for All, we offer low-cost admission for families with EBT or WIC cards from any state.

And for frequent guests, a Field Museum membership is a great way to save. Members enjoy unlimited Basic admission throughout the year, as well as early access to special exhibitions and many other perks.

You’re welcome to pack lunch or a snack to enjoy in one of our picnic eating areas on the ground level. And of course, you need a souvenir to remember your visit. Find one (or all!) of the Mold-A-Rama machines around the building to a) watch in wonder as your new dino or elephant is made before your eyes, and b) bring home a memory that’s worth way more than the $3 it costs.

Getting here

Take public transit

For a convenient and environment-friendly mode of transportation, take CTA Red, Orange, or Green lines to the Roosevelt stop. From there, you can either take the #146 bus right to our front door or walk about 15 minutes from the L stop to the Field. Once you cross Columbus Drive, you'll enter Grant Park. Follow the path through an underpass, then turn right and up a slight hill to the museum's north entrance. Several north-south CTA bus lines also drop off at Columbus, where it’s just a short stroll through the park to the museum.

Hop on a bike

Take advantage of the (short-lived) Chicago summer weather by grabbing a bike and making your way to the museum from the Lakefront Trail. Park your own bike at the racks by our building’s north and east entrances, or drop off a Divvy bike at the station on McFetridge Drive near the south entrance to the museum.

Drive

The closest parking garage to the Field is at Soldier Field. All parking options on Museum Campus are owned by the Chicago Park District, and rates are subject to change.

If you’re planning to drive, be sure to check for events happening at Soldier Field, on Museum Campus, or in downtown Chicago (concerts, festivals, races, etc.) that may affect your route. 

To snag a deal on parking, check out the SpotHero app for nearby Field Museum parking spots. New app users get 5% off by using promo code FIELDCHI.

Find more details on directions and parking, including accessibility.

Can’t visit in person?

We know the days can fill up quickly. Sometimes a visit to your favorite natural history museum just isn’t in the cards. You can still keep up with science and discovery.

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