Museum Spotlight: The Field Museum

Chicago’s Museum Campus is home to some of the city’s best, family-friendly museums. Located along the lake, The Field Museum provides visitors with rooms of dinosaur bones, ancient fossils, and a large dose of natural history. 

History

The Field Museum began with the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Exposition included 65,000 exhibits filled with ancient artifacts and natural wonders which needed a permanent home after the Exposition ended. 

Marshall Field donated $1 million to construct a museum for the artifacts. In 1921, the Field Museum opened its doors to the public in its large structure along Chicago’s iconic Lake Michigan shoreline. 

In 1999, The Field Museum created a replica Brachiosaurus skeleton that resides on the west terrace of the museum. The Brachiosaurus proudly wears the jersey of whichever Chicago sports team is competing that season and has become an iconic park of Chicago’s Lakeshore Drive. 

Today

Today, the Field Museum continues to research the objects in its collection making it both a public museum and active site of scientific inquiry and conservation.

The Field Museum stays true to its mission of fueling discovery across time and enabling solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture.

The Field Museum is known for its massive Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named “Sue” after explorer and fossil collector, Sue Hendrickson, on view in its Stanley Field Hall. Sue terrifies and delights children and adults alike. 

Visit

Chicago’s Museum campus is easily accessible by Lakeshore Drive and provides extensive parking. The lakefront trail runs through the campus, as well, and bike parking is available. 

The Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium are within close proximity of the Field Museum for those interested in making a day out of scientific discovery.

Take a walk along the lake for unbeatable views of the skyline. Food offerings are limited on the Museum Campus, but the Field Bistro located on the main level is open from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm and offers quick grab-and-go service to visitors. Tables are open to visitors bringing their own snacks on the ground level in the Siragusa Center near the Sea Mammals.