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Field Museum

Posted March 24, 2008 by Realty.com Editor

People of all ages can enjoy visiting the Field Museum in Chicago.

Located on picturesque Lake Shore Drive, the Field Museum is widely acknowledged as being one of the best natural history museums in the world. Despite its sizable permanent collections in the areas of natural science, archaeology, art, and history, it manages to stay delightfully hip, fun, and fresh with displayed item rotations and ever-changing new special exhibits. The museum’s proud exterior visage is reminiscent of a Greco-Roman palace or temple as wide steps lead up to its central main entrance located behind several colossal Roman columns.

As visitors enter the central grand hallway with its vaulted ceilings, they can glimpse Sue standing off in the distance, the Field Museum’s beloved celebrity resident. As the world’s largest, most complete, and most famous Tyrannosaurus Rex, Sue is an imposing and impressive sight. It’s a great place to spend a leisurely day, just learning about nature and culture, escaping to a world of exotic times and places.

Gallery exhibits have something for everyone, from fantastic gemstones to dinosaur fossils, stuffed animals, archaeological replicas and cultural artifacts from ancient civilizations. Families with children are commonly seen inside. Students and couples of all ages can also be seen checking out the various exhibits. The gift shops are fun and the café is decent, if rather pricey.

Although parking can be limited and expensive, visitors can take a free trolley to and from various downtown locations and train stations. The museum is open year-round every day except Christmas. Weekdays are generally least crowded and alternating Mondays are often free for general admission. Weekends when the Chicago Bears are playing at nearby Soldier Field are generally the most crowded and should be avoided if possible.

Realty.com Editor
Realty.com