Local's Guide To The Field Museum
Looking to refresh your knowledge on what you learned in history class? Or maybe it's time to give your kids a real life perspective on how large dinosaurs really were. Head on over to the Field Museum where you can view Sue who is 67 million years old and the largest and most complete T-Rex ever found. Or you can you learn about ancient Egyptians, natural disasters, fossils and the evolution of our planet Earth.
Quick Facts
Address:
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: 312-922-9410
Website: www.fieldmuseum.org
Hours:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Last admission at 4 p.m.
Open every day except Dec 25.
Check the website for their extended hours and early closings on certain days.
Tickets
The museum offers three different admission packages.
For Basic Admission:
Adults: $15
Children (3-11): $10
Students (with ID): $12
Seniors (65+): $12
Chicago Resident Basic Admission:
Adult: $13
Children (3-11): $8
Students (with ID): $10
Seniors (65+): $10
For all other admission packages please visit their ticket website.
Where to Stay
Palmer House Hilton
17 E. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-726-7500
Fax: 312-917-1707
Stay at this world-class downtown hotel and opt for the Field Museum package and receive overnight accommodations and adult VIP tickets to the museum. The Palmer House is also in walking distance of many other famous Chicago locations like the Art Institute and Millennium Park.
Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel
1 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-372-7200 or 800-468-3571
Fax: 312-372-0093
Stay at a great hotel along the Chicago River and choose the Field Museum Chicago All Access Package. You'll receive overnight accommodations and two VIP All Access passes. If you're looking for a good place to eat in the hotel try the Great Street Restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Best Western Grant Park Hotel
1100 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: 866-516-3164
Fax: 312-922-0134
E-mail: booking@bwgrantparkhotel.com
Looking for a more family-friendly hotel downtown at a more reasonable rate? This may be one of your better bets. Located on South Michigan Avenue, the hotel is close to the museum and Grant Park.
Where to Grab a Snack
The Field Museum offers you two choices if you get hungry. You can either grab some fast food at McDonald's or you can have more of a meal at Corner Bakery. They also offer picnic seating if you have brought your own snack and are just looking for a place to sit.
How to Get to Sue
Driving
From Lake Shore Drive, exit at 18th Street. Take Museum Campus Drive around Solider Field. There will be signs for visitor parking. Another option is to take McFetridge Drive from Lake Shore Drive and this will link you to the street meter parking by the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and the Alder Planetarium.
For more details on directions and where to park visit: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/plan_visit/get_here.htm
Public Transportation
If you're staying downtown, this is the best option to get to the museum and also the cheapest. The CTA #146 bus runs all year around and until 10:30 p.m. The bus runs along State Street downtown and North Michigan Avenue.
Or you can take the CTA Orange, Red or Green line trains and exit at the Roosevelt stop. From there, you can jump on the #146 bus on Roosevelt Road and continue on to the museum.
Water Taxi
This option is only during the warmer months, but the Shoreline Water Taxi service operates between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus. This can be can be another reasonably priced and scenic option between May and September.
Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago's northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.
