Any dino lover worth their bones knows that the Field Museum is one of the best places to see dinosaur fossils and exhibits in Chicago. Following their “Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep” exhibit, The Field Museum has welcomed a new semi-aquatic dinosaur to its collection, Spinosaurus.
Spinosaurus was a fish-eating dino from the Cretaceous Period. Around 95 million years ago, this dinosaur used its crocodile-shaped body to swim through the river of North Africa. Now, its fossil is mounted in a swimming pose stretching 46 feet long — even longer than SUE, the museum’s beloved Tyrannosaurus rex!
Scientists studied modern animals to learn more about Spinosaurus’s past. Visitors can expect to learn more about the scientists’ discovery, along with how one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever discovered hunted and swam through the water.
After visiting Spinosaurus, you won’t want to miss the other great dinosaurs that live at The Field Museum. “Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet” is a 27,000-square-foot exhibit that holds 4.5 billion years of evolutionary history. From there, visitors will be led to the “Elizabeth Morse Genius Hall of Dinosaurs” where they can meet more than a dozen dinos, including the world famous SUE the T.rex.
Also housed at The Field Museum is Máximo the Titanosaur, the biggest dinosaur that scientists have discovered to date. See the 122-foot-long fossil in the museum’s Main Hall, then end the day with one of the Field’s ticketed 3D movies. Dino films include “Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D,” “Titanosaur 3D: The Story of Máximo” and “Waking the T.rex 3D: The Story of SUE.”
Before you head to Museum Campus, be sure to read our suggestions for other fun things to do with kids near The Field Museum.
Quick details about The Field Museum
- Address: 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Cost: General admission is $30/out-of-state adult, $23/out-of-state child; $27/Illinois resident adult, $21/Illinois resident child; $18/Chicago resident adult, $14/Chicago resident child.
- Getting there: Take the red, green or orange line CTA trains to the Roosevelt station. From there, visitors may walk or take the 130 or 146 Museum Campus buses.
- Parking: There are many downtown parking lots near Museum Campus. The Soldier Field North Garage charges $25 for up to 4 hours and $30 for up to 12 hours. The East Museum lot charges $30 for up to 12 hours. Drivers looking to score a deal on parking can try using the SpotHero app to find nearby Field Museum parking spots. New app users can use promo code FIELDCHI to get 5 percent off their first parking spot.
Other things to do with kids near The Field Museum
- The Field Museum is located on the Museum Campus, just south of the heart of downtown Chicago. Inspire some civic pride in your young Chicagoan by showing them the must-see sights of downtown.
- Walk the Lakefront Trail and explore the city’s scenic parks, beaches and seasonal attractions with your kids.
- Play at Maggie Daley Park. The massive city park has roller skating, (ice skating during the winter months), a climbing wall, mini golf and the popular Play Garden, an imaginative 3-acre playground with slides, swings, water and spray features, bridges, climbing structures and more.
- Check Navy Pier off your bucket list. Take a ride on the Centennial Wheel and enjoy the many kid-friendly restaurants, shops and treats that this popular tourist destination has to offer. Check out our family guide to Navy Pier for our best tips for visiting the attraction with kids.
- Already seen the tourist hot spots? Explore the nearby South Loop neighborhood and find the best places to eat, shop and play with kids in our South Loop family guide.
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