The Africa Fashion exhibit was everything. The colors, the fabrics, the way each piece told a story it gave me chills. Seeing over 20 countries represented in one space felt powerful and inspiring, and honestly it made me look at fashion in a whole new way. This is one of those shows you have to catch while it's here. It's not just fashion, it's history, culture, and art all in one. You can check out my full review and everything I did on Instagram and TikTok: @travelnistaonthemove read more

An institution here in Chicago. I went over the weekend with my husband and toddler and we had a great time! The parking situation (which with a toddler can sometimes make or break an outing) was honestly super easy which made the entire experience that much more smooth. There is a dinosaur exhibit happening here now which was really our main pull. This exhibit was AWESOME! It goes on to show what happened after an asteroid ended the dinosaurs' reign and what happened between then and the world we know now. It was done really thoughtfully and was my favorite of the day. My son was gobsmacked -- especially at the dinosaur fossils! His favorites were the Spinosaurus and Apatosaurus. He also really enjoyed the mummies, which surprised me because it was a little scary. We were in and out in about 2 hours which ended up being the perfect about of time for us with a kid. We will continue to come back over the years! read more

See all

Awesome museum if you like natural history- culture, artifacts, fossils, and most recently Pokémon! I've been a fan of Pokémon for many years, so I really wanted to see the fossil Pokémon exhibit at the Field! Came here a few days ago with one of my friends - who is also a fan of Pokémon. Tickets are 48$ for adults. Since the Pokémon exhibit requires times entry, it means you'll have to usually buy your tix ahead of time online. This means you'll also have to pay online fees for tix, and you'll have to forgo any discounts such as student discounts if you qualify. Student discounts require that you purchase tix in person, as you can't buy a Pokémon tix separately online without the entry tix to the Field. Now onto the good stuff... the exhibits! I shall discuss the Pokémon museum first. I knew for a long time that many of the fossil type Pokémon were based on true animals from the past. The exhibit did a good job bringing the magic of Pokémon and tying it in with real life. So while the exhibit was very cute, it was also informative. Great for young kids and Pokémon adults (like myself)! Pokémon featured included Kabuto, Omanyte, Pikachu (of course!), Aerodactyl, Tyrunt, etc. At the end of the exhibit you get a voucher for purchasing items at the popup store. They had most things in stock- so I was able to buy a hat, a t shirt and an excavator Pikachu plush. There is a 5 item max including 1 max Pikachu plush. They had a really cute hoodie, but sadly they didn't have any in S or M size. They had plenty of clothes for larger sizes L and up. I spent about an hour in the Pokémon exhibit and another 20 minutes or so in the popup store. Afterwards, I spent the next couple of hours perusing the other exhibits - including stones/gems, prehistory (dinos and big mammals), Tibet, China, plants and modern day animals (taxidermy). There was a lot to see, but after a while things started to look the same. For those thinking about doing the Pokémon exhibit- if you're not that into Pokémon, it might not be worth it. But if you're a Pokémon fan, I think it's worth it, especially if you want the event exclusive merch! read more

See all

This was the reason for our Chicago visit! We love Pokemon and History so the two together is a win win for us. We all loved the dinosaur exhibit, the nature walk and the Pokemon portion! Definitely make this a to do on your next family visit! read more

See all

I was REALLY looking forward to this place and it did not disappoint. I was there for the animals and dinosaurs... I really don't care about a lot of other items but it still had a great display for what I was interested in. I did buy tickets on Groupon. I think I saved about $30ish dollars in total doing that so I highly recommend checking there before buying on their website. I could be wrong on the amount but definitely saved a good amount of money. I also bought the tickets ahead of time which is HIGHLY recommended. This place was packed. The Pokemon exhibit was sold out which is fine with me - I was not interested but definitely drew a bigger crowd. In regards to dinosaurs, Sue the Tyrannosaurus is the best part. You cannot go there without seeing Sue. The museum has a huge gift shop which is great but the 'Sue' items were not great from the gift shop. I didn't buy anything which was very surprising. There were the taxidermy animals too which were nice to see how many different species of animals there are in the world. I definitely enjoyed my time here and highly recommend. I love the History Museum in NYC, Washington DC and London and this is right up with those! read more

See all

The Field Museum is an iconic Chicago landmark. And we were excited to get to bring our kids here for the first time -- especially since the big exhibit was the Pokemon Fossil Museum. My kids are nuts for Pokemon! We ordered tickets ahead of time -- a must if you want to see the Pokemon exhibit. The admission was a little steep IMO at roughly $50 per person ($13-$18 just for the Pokemon exhibit). But visiting the Field is not something you do often, so we went with it. I love walking up to the Field. The view and taking in the lake is quintessentially Chicago. Before getting to the Pokemon, we took in a few of the exhibits. We had to see Sue and the fossils, as well as some of the older gems and other exhibits along the hallways upstairs. And I appreciate what they are trying to do with the Pokemon exhibit. It mixes the Pokemon my kids love with education on fossils and archeology. We even learned about a real-life fossil we have at home. Plus we all got a special Pokemon card when we entered. (My husband looked up the card afterward, and it sells for $70 online.) Then, when we were done, we made our way to the special Pokemon gift shop. You have to have a ticket to the exhibit even to enter, and there is a strict limit on how many items you can purchase, as well as a limit of one "Archeologist Pikachu" per person. The items were pretty expensive. I would like to take our kids back one day when we can spend more time at the exhibits. It just felt great to take this in and appreciate what an institution it is. read more

See all

I've been coming here for years. I do think the main exhibit with dinosaurs is the best one, and since they moved Sue (trex) to her own room and did some digital things, it's better. The VR experience right outside is not worth the price. $12 per person and it's a 5-6 minute ride. But it's very bumpy, the headsets are for 4 people but one wasn't working. When I put mine on, the vision was blurry in one side, and then the bumpy nature of the movement caused me to get motion sickness. My teens said it wasn't worth it. We did see younger kids enjoy it though. The special exhibit was sold out for several days, so we didn't get to see the Pokémon. I do think though that most of the regular exhibits need to be updated. It's pretty old and worn down. Also, not sure who wants to tour plant varieties and old jewelry. Sure it's okay to see because everyone is curious about expensive stones and cool designs, but for teens and kids nothing interactive. read more

See all

5 stars for the Pokemon exhibit event we went to this time. We got the excavator pikachu at the end, 30 bucks each. We got a free archeops pokemon card. We visited the regular exhibits a long time ago. read more

See all

We visited the Field Museum primarily for the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit. Admission for our family of five was $206, which felt pretty expensive. The exhibit itself was smaller than I expected, but it was unique, well done, and my kids absolutely loved it. We also appreciated receiving a special Pokémon promo card with admission, and the Pokémon gift shop had a great selection of merchandise that was hard to resist. We spent about 2 1/2 hours at the museum and didn't even see everything. The Field Museum is unlike any museum I've been to before, which made it a fun and interesting experience. Everything was clean and well maintained. While I'm not convinced the Pokémon exhibit alone was worth the admission price, I'm still glad we went because it was such a unique experience. If you have Pokémon fans in your family, I'd definitely recommend it. Just go in knowing the exhibit isn't huge, and be sure to leave time to explore some of the rest of the museum as well. read more

See all

Came here for the pokemon exhibit and nothing else. Absolutely incredible! I'm 28 and had chills the whole time. I loved seeing how they compare pokemon to real world fossil extraction. I am so glad I got the opportunity to come here! read more

See all

We came to check out the Pokemon Fossil exhibit, as several people I know are crazy for Pokemon and one of my young cousins loves it a lot. You will definitely want to buy the ticket a week in advance as they sell out quickly. The exhibit itself is composed of fossils they made of Pokemon, paired with actual fossils, which is intended to elicit interest from children in archaeology. It didn't appeal as much to me (a fossil enthusiast, but not a Pokemon enthusiast). The ticket allows you to enter the gift shop which you can buy some pokemon merch, and you get a pokemon card when you enter the exhibit as well. The rest of the museum was also great, and I don't think I had enough time to see everything! I especially liked the sue exhibit and the sue store. The gem stones and taxidermy exhibits were also quite nice! I would definitely return again, but this museum will definitely need at least a whole day to explore! read more

One of my main reasons for this trip was the visit the Pokemon fossil exhibit. Not sure why there are not more reviews about it yet! Anyways, it's an additional add on to your base ticket pricing to go inside during a timed entry. Arrived at 9:15am like many other enthusiasts but I absolutely loved it. Once you walk in there's an Aerodactyl and excavator pikachu figure that is a great photo op. The exhibition itself walks you through the history of Pokemon and the different types of fossils that can be compared in the real world. This was so exciting to see and to go through. The life sized fossils were amazing to stand against and compare. Another photo op the end and that's where you get a voucher to purchase up to 5 items in the store with a limit 1 of excavator pikachu plush. After the Pokemon exhibit, there's a ton to see and do. My next favorite was the sue T REX exhibit and the dinosaur fossils too. There were the taxidermy animals too which were nice to see how many different species of animals there are in the world. The field museum is so big that you could literally spend the whole day here. So much to look at and see. Probably the best museum I've been to! Definitely worth checking out. read more

See all

My experience here at the Field Museum was fantastic, online purchase of tickets was seamless and easy. My only recommendation/critique is the affordability of the tickets for admission to the museum. I feel as though the ticket for admission should be bundled with the Pokemon Fossil museum admission as a package. Not sold separately. Museum was organized with a clear layout, with a map to navigate. The museum staff were very helpful and welcoming. The Pokemon Fossil museum section of the museum was amazing! I was very impressed with the thorough displays, and all the detail put into it. I all decked the organization that went into the Pokemon fossil museum shop as well. My only complaint about this was the cost/affordability of the items in the shop. Items were very costly. On average depending on the size of your party. To fully explore the museum and see all displays I would say it took 3-4 hours. read more

See all

We orignally entered from the East entrance onto the bottom floor, and thought at first there was not going to be very much. We went through the Egyption exhibit there which was impressive then headed upstairs. I was wrong, the place is huge and really well laid out. You can enter one end of the building and wander through the rooms which are each themed. I found it interesting that the animals were grouped by relation (all cat related, then all dog related, etc). There are also so many birds! We spent about 2-3 hours here. read more

See all

Came to the Field Museum to visit the Pokémon Fossil Museum, I had bought my tickets a month in advance and of course we missed our train so we arrived 10 minutes after our entry time. However they didn't give us any problem about going in, which I appreciated. The exhibit itself was very cute and great for pokemon fans. Also nice that they mixed in real fossils to make it more educational. Upon exciting the exhibit they give you passes for the store and there are limits to the number of items you can buy. The shirts were selling out so fast so if you see one your want grab it right away! My teenage kids enjoyed it so it was a win! read more

See all

We took our boys here and they loved it! There is a ton different exhibits to check out, so make sure give yourself plenty of time. They also have food onsite and it good as well! read more

Field Museum - Cheese fries - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I took my four year old here. We spent about 3 hours looking at the exhibits. He really enjoyed it! The closest lot fills up immediately so we had to park in a lot about 10 minutes away. I believe it was around $30. We paid extra to see the 3d movie. I believe we saw the trex movie. My son wasn't that impressed. I could skip it. I liked seeing the dinosaurs, like Sue. Another favorite was the taxidermy. There's also a children's area which he enjoyed! read more

Field Museum - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

Came here for a visit. Museum is huge with many interesting things to see. There's a eating area, you can bring your own food which is good. My family and I had a great time. read more

See all

I'm giving 4 starts because MANY of the displays were "gone for study". There were specific things that I wanted to see during this trip and couldn't because they were closed. However, we did still enjoy ourselves and was able to take excellent pictures. read more

See all

A visit to the Field Museum is truly a journey through time and the natural world. From the moment you step beneath its grand neoclassical columns, you're immersed in a space where science, history, and discovery come vividly to life. The museum's origins trace back to the World's Columbian Exposition, where thousands of artifacts were first displayed in the famed "White City." Thanks to a generous donation from Marshall Field, many of those items found a permanent home when the museum opened in 1894. The current building, which debuted in 1921, now houses an astonishing collection of over 40 million artifacts and specimens. Even today, more than 150 scientists and researchers continue to expand that collection through expeditions around the globe. The museum's scale and architectural beauty are breathtaking, and its exhibits are thoughtfully curated to guide visitors through time, culture, and scientific discovery. One of the most unforgettable highlights is "Sue," the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. Standing before Sue is both humbling and awe-inspiring--it's a moment that truly brings the prehistoric world into focus. Beyond the dinosaur halls, the museum offers a rich variety of exhibits. The ancient Egyptian collection is especially captivating, exploring the world of pharaohs through mummies, artifacts, and interactive displays. Other galleries span ancient civilizations, global cultures, gemstones and minerals, plant life, and the evolving story of science and biomechanics. One aspect I found more difficult to fully enjoy was the extensive taxidermy collection. While historically significant--and even containing species that are now extinct--it's a reminder of a time when animal welfare was not prioritized the way it is today. That said, these displays still offer valuable insight into biodiversity and the history of scientific study. The Field Museum also hosts rotating temporary exhibitions, which keep each visit fresh and engaging. These often highlight current scientific topics or rare collections, adding a dynamic layer to the experience. What truly sets the museum apart is its dedication to education and accessibility. Interactive exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities make it engaging for visitors of all ages. It also serves as a vibrant community hub, offering lectures, events, and programs that connect people more deeply with science and culture. A visit to the Field Museum sparks curiosity, fuels the imagination, and deepens appreciation for the world around us. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a science lover, or simply looking for an enriching day in Chicago, this museum is an absolute must-see--one that will leave you both inspired and in awe. read more

See all

Always enjoy my visits to the field museum. Hadn't been in like 7 years so I was excited to bring my two year old! It was a free day which was nice. Lots too see and my son was excited about the dinosaur bones. Cool experience to learn something new. Parking garage is not close so that's a downside but overall really great experience here and helpful staff. read more

Field Museum - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The pokemon fossil museum and the wait times are well organized and the wait to go in was definitely not that bad. The fossil exhibit was well laid out and the staff was super helpful in crowd management. The only sad part was a lot of the exclusive merch from the museum was sold out. read more

See all

Pokemon museum... 10/10!! Surprisingly amazing time. Healed a hole in my heart. Everyone gets a card and chance to buy the excavator Pikachu. Scalpers pretty much bought out everything else. Your inner child will thank you! Book in advance!! read more

See all

The Field Museum was a bucket list item for us while visiting Chicago. Mostly we wanted to see the famed lions of Tsavo. If you've seen The Ghost and thr Darkness with Val Kilmer, you'll understand why we wanted to see them. The staff is super friendly, and very informative. When asking for directions, they gave us additional information that was super helpful. There is too much to see in one day for a normal person, especially if you want to read any of the information. Quite a few restrooms were available and lots of places to and rest. The work on the animals was incredible. I enjoyed the presentations and it was a well spent wonderful family day. Highly recommend! read more

See all

I always want to like The Field Museum... but was disappointed for a plethora of reasons this visit. The staff were friendly and nice, but Chicago just kinda sucks. The museum feels old and none of the exhibits were new or exciting. The Egyptian wing was under construction and the basement had an odd smell. My son liked Sue the Dinosaur exhibit and The Americas. It has a lot of "stuff" to look at and exhibits tailored to learn about the natural world. I did like seeing how many young students were involved when coming over the weekend. This Saturday we witnessed a high school orchestra, many volunteers from local high schools with "Ask Me" signs (though they didn't have many answers to my questions unfortunately.) I also want to state I was treated with at least respect and professionalism by all paid staff and many were kind. However, the dioramas seemed soooo old. Not interesting in their set up. Almost exhausting to get through by the end. Not many exhibits had audience interaction or experiential learning, something I found quite disappointing. Sue the T-Rex exhibit was "good", but that should be expected since it's the flagship of the museum. The China exhibit puppet show was interesting, I enjoyed the life size emotional regulation room from New Zeeland, and found the sculptures of different indigenous people interesting. I dislike Chicago for a myriad of reasons. Aside from the urban, rushed atmosphere... they seem to want to charge you for EVERYTHING- sometimes deceptively or with hidden charges. It's more than a ripoff. It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. For example, if I get a hamburger, fries and a salad. It should not cost $50 (no drink included)... Period. If I buy some overpriced gift for my child from the gift shop, they should provide a bag, not charge an additional $5.00 for said bag. If I pay top dollar for entrance, the place should feel clean, vibrant and engaging. Not cold, aging infrastructure and no new exhibits. I think I'm good for about 20 years. Maybe by then they will change their tune? Let's hope so. For now, definitely not worth the drive from Michigan for this destination. Maybe worth it if you buy the city pass? You can decide. **Edit** It was also infinitely frustrating to buy the reciprocal passport as a Christmas gift to my son specifically to enter the Field Museum for free and they DROPPED their membership without warning in 2026. So much for the $100 dropped on this Christmas gift. I spent well over $200 on a mediocre experience (in addition to $100 invested into apparently a bogus reciprocal passport, totaling over $300!). It's really not worth the investment and I'm annoyed that they didn't warn patrons making this investment that they would not be participating. Management must do better. read more

See all

Attended a private event at the Field Museum, and it was an unforgettable setting for an evening gathering. Having access after hours made the experience feel extra special -- wandering through the exhibits without the daytime crowds really highlights how incredible this space is. The museum itself is, of course, stunning. From the grand main hall to the iconic exhibits, everything feels immersive and well maintained. The layout works surprisingly well for events, with plenty of room to mingle, explore, and take in the atmosphere without feeling cramped. Food and drinks were solid for an event of this size, though the real star here is the venue itself. Staff were professional and helpful, keeping things running smoothly throughout the night without being intrusive. Overall, the Field Museum is a fantastic choice for a private event -- memorable, elegant, and uniquely Chicago. Even if you've been before as a regular visitor, seeing it transformed for an evening event is a completely different experience. Highly recommended. read more

Field Museum - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of the best museums I have ever been to (and I've been to a LOT). They have great exhibits, and I always go look at the Plants of the World area when I go. My only complaint is the hours--there are simply not enough hours in one business day to see everything. They should do multiple day passes! read more

Nice place for the family trip. Kids enjoyed it. Staff is helpful. Not very busy and well kept by staff

The Field Museum is incredible. It's a research institution, and so there are tons of actual scientists working in the building. The museum is huge, and has so many things to see. The dinosaur exhibit, especially the hall with SUE is amazing. We love coming here. read more

I'm sorry for being such a Debby downer, but the Field Museum hits differently as an adult. The contrasts from the alive, vibrance of the aquarium to the dead, dusty replicas of the field museum are stark. Walking through halls of posed and taxidermied animals was sad. While they have the r-rex's bones on display, much of the museum was replicas or casts. The museum is laid out strangely, with sections tucked into corners without signage. Oddly, some had too little signage, while other exhibits were all signs. read more

After the Dinosaurs special exhibit is so good. Well worth the $8pp add on. We spent an hour in there and never got bored. Great da to go while everyone is at the football game and it's 8 degrees outside. Cant get enough dinosaurs!! read more

See all

The Field Museum is easily one of my favorite natural history museums. The museum covers an enormous range of history and culture, making it an attraction that can fill an entire day. We spent several hours exploring, and even then we did not make it through all of the exhibits. Their most famous exhibit featuring Sue the T.rex was truly larger than life. Walking through the various eras and stages of the planet's evolution felt surreal. The exhibit ended with a sizable collection of recreated dinosaurs. The fossil preparation lab was also fascinating, showing multiple works in progress, including a few flying species. The geology section had an equally extensive collection and I loved the way the colorful stones were displayed. Native Truths featured a wide array of tribes and cultural histories. I loved moving through time with different groups of people. Each room highlighted a different aspect of life, including clothing, furniture, food, and significant events. The bird and mammal habitats were beautifully arranged and created a sense of immersion in each environment. The glass was well maintained and everything was clear and easy to observe. The lowest floor housed more taxidermy and an extension of the Ancient Egypt exhibit. The foot traffic was much lighter here, which allowed me to spend more time observing the tombs and animals. The sea mammal and insect collections were smaller, but still interesting. This level also had a large dining area where families could use the restrooms and enjoy their snacks and meals. The temporary exhibits were surprisingly detailed. I would actually consider an annual membership given the steady rotation of displays. The attention to detail and the respect shown in each exhibit were truly impressive. Everything was polished and well maintained despite the high volume of visitors. There were not many employees walking around, but I liked having the space to move freely. I would absolutely set aside plenty of time for this attraction and would happily return again. read more

See all

5 stars for the Field Museum. Very fun and educational place to go to and see, especially if you like ancient history! There are a ton of old culture exhibits here, like Native American ones, old China, and Ancient Egypt - you can even see mummies in the Egypt exhibit! The other highlight of this museum would definitely be the dinosaur fossils - they have so many different kinds it's crazy - their most famous being "Sue" - their T-Rex! If you want a great historical museum to visit, I definitely recommend the Field Museum. read more

See all

As part of my CityPASS, I decided to visit the Field Museum. A friend had actually suggested that I skip it, but I'm so glad I didn't listen! It ended up being one of my favorite museums in Chicago. The museum is huge, with lower, main, and upper levels, and you could easily spend 5-6 hours here. I actually wish I had planned more time because there was so much I didn't get to see. My CityPASS included one 3D movie and another special exhibit. I chose the Rex 3D movie over the penguin one, and I'm really glad I did. It was fascinating to learn the story of how Sue, the famous TREX, was discovered. For the second attraction, the Pokémon exhibit was already sold out (and honestly, I wasn't too interested in it anyway), so I chose the dinosaur experience instead. It started with a short film, and one of my favorite little details was that the seats vibrated when the asteroid hit, it made the whole experience much more immersive. I really enjoyed my visit and only wish I'd had more time to explore. If you enjoy natural history, dinosaurs, or museums in general, I'd definitely recommend making time for the Field Museum. read more

See all

We spent several hours exploring the Field Museum and it was excellent! I was especially excited to see Sue after reading about her in a fiction book where the wizard Harry Dresden animated her and rode her through the streets of Chicago. I'll admit that I was pretty exhausted after walking through all the exhibits, but I'm so glad I visited. read more

This is a fantastic museum! They house the largest, most complete T Rex skeleton ever found. Sue is quite impressive and there is a very interesting exhibit dedicated to her and the life it is believed she lived. There are halls of animals, an ancient Egypt exhibit, an underground creepy crawly exhibit, a Native American exhibit, and lots more. Don't skip it. read more

The Field Museum is amazing -- engaging, beautifully curated, and full of fascinating exhibits. From iconic dinosaurs to cultural displays from around the world, it's both educational and fun, and you can easily spend hours exploring without getting bored. They have a small cafe which is mediocre. I'd say the sandwiches are good. Ut the pretzel tastes like it was frozen. read more

See all

Great museum where you can spend days learning about sciences, histories, cultures, and just about everything in the world! Now, everyone here says their "crown jewel" exhibit is the largest T-Rex in the world, SUE. While Sue is indeed humongous and extremely formidable looking, my Canadian friends alleged that SCOTTY, discovered one year after SUE and now lives in the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, is verified to be the largest. Nevertheless, SUE is very impressive! And to me what's more impressive is the work the museum staff did around SUE - the exhibition is exceptionally well done! Full of interesting knowledge and designed to guide the audience through the earth's evolution history! My hat off and k deepest respect to whoever designed and implemented this exhibit. The museum also houses many other interesting exhibits. One can easily spend a whole day here. Now, a major piece of feedback if anyone from the museum is reading : a bottle of coffee beverage that cost $3 was close to $9 here! WHY gouge your visitors like this?? They come to enjoy what you present but the high prices are like a punishment! If you want to improve the visitor experience, stop overcharged might be an easy way. read more

See all

I came to the Field Museum strictly to see Sue and fully planned to skip the rest of the museum... but this place is AWESOME. The animal exhibits were some of the best I've ever seen. The Egyptian, Chinese, and Tahitian artifacts were super cool too. We also got to watch museum staff actively studying and conserving a mummy and coffin in one of the labs, which was incredibly fascinating to see in real time. Fair warning: this place is HUGE. We were there for two hours and barely scratched the surface. 10/10! read more

See all

What a great museum! Great attraction for the kiddos. Military discount was great! Must see ! read more

Field Museum - Museums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois