Field Museum
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Sue, Chicago's most famous dino and the most complete T. Rex skeleton ever discovered.
[Photo by Liz Hoffman]
A pair of elephants greets visitors to Lord Stanley Hall
[Photo by Liz Hoffman]
Bushman, a longtime resident of the Lincoln Park Zoo, now resides on the lower level of the Field Museum.
[Photo by Liz Hoffman]Related:
Chicago, Ill. 60605
(312) 922-9410
Cost: $10-$30; visit website for pricing structure. Discounts available to Chicago residents
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Last admission at 4 p.m. Closed Christmas day.
Exhibits related to science, environment and culture can be explored. From ancient mummies to endangered plants to a complete T. rex, the museum boasts a treasury of 24 million specimens. The Crown Family PlayLab has six themed play areas and is perfect for younger kids. Kids can dig up dinosaur bones, grind corn in a pueblo and put on an animal costume. The PlayLab offers family bathrooms, stroller parking, infant zones and a staffed reception desk. Many other areas of the museum also offer interactive elements for children, who can find out what their name looks like in Egyptian hieroglyphs, put together a huge floor map of Africa, or dissect an owl pellet to find out what the bird ate. Check out the Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lasxaux and Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence exhibits. Before your visit, download one of the Family Adventure Tours or pick one up at the museum's Information desks to help children make the most of the exhibitions. Food is available in the museum at several restaurants, or pack a lunch to eat in the cafeteria. Public parking lots are nearby or the museum is easily accessible by public transportation.
