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2013 Guide To The Field Museum

Field Museum
Field Museum photographed by John Weinstein (Credit: The Field Museum's facebook)

By Rachel Azark

The Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.

Chicago, IL 60605
312-922-9410
www.fieldmuseum.org
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Last admission at 4 p.m.

Open every day except Dec 25.


Adult: $15
Child (3-11): $10

Student (with ID): $12

Senior (65+): $12
More ticket options

The Field Museum is all about history, so here's a little history about the Field Museum. The museum was first incorporated into the State of Illinois on September 16, 1893 as part of an outgrowth of the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. The purpose of the museum was to be "the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge, and the preservation and exhibition of objects illustrating art, archaeology, science and history." Today the museum is part of Museum Campus on Chicago's beautiful lakefront. And shares the space with the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium – these three institutions are regarded as among some of the finest museums in the world.

this is actually a little frightening sue field museum
Sue, the lovely T-Rex. (Credit: Jasmyn Martin)

Exhibits

Sue the T. Rex: The Field Museum is known for their beloved Sue. She is the largest, best-preserved and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever found. She is 42 feet long from snout to tail and is 13 feet tall at the hip. Her original skull weighs 600 pounds. You can also follow her on Twitter @SUEtheTrex.

Inside Ancient Egypt: This is one of the only places in the country where you can explore an ancient Egyptian tomb. The museum has recreated a three-story mastaba that features two authentic rooms from the 5,000-year-old tomb of pharoah's son Unis-Ankh. View one of the largest collections of mummies found in any U.S. museum.

Pawnee Earth Lodge: Visit a full-size replica of a Pawnee earth lodge, a dwelling that used to dot the plains of what is now Nebraska. This structure is 38 feet in diameter and the circular, dome shape symbolizes the Pawnee view of the universe.

CTA Train, Pace Bus, Metra Train, Expressway Traffic
(Credit: Getty/AP/CBS)

How To Get There

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.

Click here for more details on directions and where to park.

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 round 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 another reasonably priced and scenic option between May and September.

Where to Stay

Several hotels are offering Field Museum VIP packages if you stay with them. They have many hotels for a range of budgets. Visit their hotel page to look at a list of hotels offering packages.

Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago's northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.

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