Should I Visit the Field Museum with Kids? Tips & What to See
This Chicago museum has a lot to offer, but it isn’t the best option in the city with kids. That would be the Museum of Science and Industry. So if you have time for multiple attractions, should you visit the Field Museum with kids? Short answer: yes, if you have more than one day. If you’ve only got one, keep reading before you burn it on rocks and clay pots.
Should I Visit the Field Museum with Kids? Things to Consider
1. What is the Field Museum?
2. Where is Field Museum?
3. Parking is Easy
4. How Long Do You Need?
5. What is There to See?
6. There is a Free Play Area for Little Kids
7. There Are 3-D Movies at an Extra Charge
8. There Are a Couple of Dining Options
9. There Are Ways to Save
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Should I Visit the Field Museum with Kids?
Quick Verdict: Is It Worth It with Kids?
It’s worth it as a second stop, not a headliner. Roughly half the Field Museum is rocks, pottery, and scientists working behind glass — fascinating to a grad student, slightly less so to a seven-year-old. But the dinosaurs (including Sue the T. rex), the three-story Egypt section, and the shrink-yourself-to-bug-size Underground Adventure are genuinely great, and there are real ways to cut the admission price. If Chicago is a one-day trip, send the kids to the Museum of Science and Industry instead.
The Bare Facts
- Where: 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, on Chicago’s Museum Campus.
- Hours: open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last entry around 4:00 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). Confirm before you go.
- Cost: general admission starts around $30 for out-of-town guests and $21 for Chicago residents; kids under 3 get in free. Check current pricing here.
- Time needed: half a day is plenty.
- Kid highlights: Sue the T. rex, Inside Ancient Egypt, Underground Adventure, and the Pokémon Fossil Museum (an add-on exhibit running through spring 2027).
1. What is the Field Museum in Chicago?
The Field Museum is dedicated to natural history. There are exhibits featuring various indigenous peoples, extinct animals, and dinosaur bones. Some of it will hook kids; a lot of it will lose them somewhere around the third hall of pottery. Think of it as a place built for grown-ups that happens to keep a few dinosaurs around to lure in the under-ten crowd.
2. Where is the Field Museum Located?
The Field Museum is located at 1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive in downtown Chicago. It sits on the water on the Museum Campus, right next to the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. It’s a beautiful place to walk on a nice day, and the museum itself is indoors, so you can comfortably visit year-round — including the four months a year Chicago is trying to kill you with wind.
Pro tip: Strollers are allowed throughout the museum, so bring yours and let the toddler ride in style.
3. Parking is Easy
There are several places to park near the museum, including the Soldier Field garage, the East Museum lot, and the Adler Planetarium lot. Prices vary and spike on event days (a Bears game will turn a parking spot into a small mortgage), but you’ll win if you arrive early.
The earliest birds may snag street parking, and the Adler lot offers a discounted early-bird rate if you arrive before 9:30 a.m. — it was around $13 at last check, but rates change, so confirm before you bank on it.
If you don’t want to hunt for a spot, SpotHero lets you reserve and prepay, which is always an option.
4. How Much Time Should I Spend at the Field Museum?
The Field Museum is not an all-day affair. While the building itself is enormous, a lot of the exhibits will be a quick walkthrough with kids. If you want to hit the highlights and catch a movie, half a day is usually plenty. Pairing this museum with the Shedd Aquarium next door is a great way to make a full day on the Museum Campus without backtracking.
Pro tip: Arrive at opening (9:00 a.m.). The crowds build throughout the day, and the popular sections — Underground Adventure especially — get a line.
5. What Exhibits Are at the Field Museum?
The Field Museum has a lot of exhibits. A few will genuinely interest children — dinosaur bones, giant bugs, mummies. There are also lots and lots and lots of rocks and clay pots. Manage your kids’ expectations accordingly.
In addition to the permanent halls below, the main hall features several dinosaur skeletons, and there are things to see in the lower level — the highlight being the man-eating lions of Tsavo, who really did eat people and now stand in a glass case judging you.
There are free-with-admission exhibits available year-round, plus rotating special exhibitions that require a special-ticket upgrade. As of this update, the big one for kids is the Pokémon Fossil Museum, a traveling exhibit (running into spring 2027) that pairs real fossils with Pokémon “fossil” specimens — it’s an add-on ticket, but it’s a strong draw if you’ve got a kid who can name all 151 originals.
Pro tip: Check the museum map before your visit so you can beeline to the good stuff and skip the jade.
Free-with-admission exhibits (most of which are named after a rich person) include:
Abbott Hall of Conservation
The Abbott Hall of Conservation focuses on preserving natural resources. There are videos of scientists talking about their work. This is as interesting to kids as paint drying.
Africa
The Africa section is heavy on African culture and history. A lot of the information will be over the heads of young kids, but the walk through the exhibit is unique, and kids will always find something to examine.
Chicago’s Legacy Hula
Chicago’s Legacy Hula features Hawaiian culture. Even if your kid isn’t into dancing, there’s a beach scene he or she will likely find entertaining.
Cyrus Tang Hall of China
The Hall of China has artwork, statues, historical pieces, and a weird video of a shadow puppet performance. Some of this may interest kids, but there are a whole bunch of artifacts in this section.
DNA Discovery Center
At the DNA Discovery Center, you can watch actual scientists do their jobs through glass, the same way you watch the lady make the fudge in every touristy town you’ve ever visited.
Elizabeth Hubert Malott Hall of Jades
This section has a bunch of jades from China. The end.
Grainger Hall of Gems
The Hall of Gems has hundreds of gems behind glass. Sparkly, sure. Again, the end.
Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet
If you only visit one exhibit at the museum, this should be it. Here you’ll find dinosaur bones, including the most famous resident at the museum, Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex — one of the largest and most complete T. rex skeletons ever found. Do not miss this section.
Inside Ancient Egypt
Inside Ancient Egypt is another section worth a visit with kids. This three-story exhibit features replicas of a tomb and an ancient marketplace, plus a 4,000-year-old royal boat. Mummies abound, and they aren’t all former adults.
Note: This section may be scary for young kids. It is not well-lit and covers some dark topics (i.e., dead kids). There’s a screen that shows a picture of a child’s skeleton with his toys. My nine-year-old was sufficiently freaked out by the time we exited.
Looking at Ourselves
Looking at Ourselves features sculptures that explore the concept of race.
Maori Meeting House
The Maori Meeting House is a sacred structure from New Zealand built in the 1800s. You can step inside after removing your shoes — a small ritual that makes it land differently than the average roped-off display.
McDonald’s Fossil Preparation Lab
McDonald’s Fossil Preparation Lab is another area where you can watch scientists work from behind glass — this time, painstakingly chipping rock off of actual fossils.
Native Truths
Native Truths teaches you about Native American history through a large collection of artifacts, co-created with Native advisors and artists.
Nature Walks
Nature Walks has a lot of stuffed animals behind glass. It feels a little icky if I’m being honest, but it’ll be a hit with kids. The dioramas include both currently living and extinct species.
Pawnee Earth Lodge
The Pawnee Earth Lodge is a full-sized replica of an earth lodge used by Pawnee people that you can actually walk into.
Plants of the World
The Plants of the World section is a lot of plants behind glass. You can breeze right past this one with kids.
Regenstein Halls of the Pacific
The Halls of the Pacific feature artifacts from across the Pacific Islands.
Robert R. McCormick Halls of the Ancient Americas
The Halls of the Ancient Americas feature tools and other artifacts that trace human ingenuity across thousands of years.
Ronald and Christina Gidwitz Hall of Birds
The Hall of Birds is like Nature Walks, except with birds.
The Machine Inside: Biomechanics
The Machine Inside is probably the most interactive exhibit for kids in the museum. There are lots of places to wave your hands, push, pull, and jump around. The area covers biomechanics, teaching kids how animals move. Don’t skip this one.
Underground Adventure
Underground Adventure is another must-do with kids. You shrink to the size of a bug and walk through an exhibit of animatronic creatures that very much want to eat you. It’s still open and still excellent — and it picks up a spooky “Underground MISadventure” Halloween overlay in the fall if you visit around then.
Pro tip: This area is best enjoyed without a crowd. Go here first, right at opening.
What is an Animal?
This section features life-sized sea creatures and tackles the surprisingly slippery question of what actually counts as an animal.
6. There is a Free Play Area for Little Kids
The Crown Family PlayLab is a play area for kids roughly ages two through six. It offers programs featuring music, art, and — naturally — dinosaurs. You can drop in or register for a program.
Pro tip: The PlayLab is not open all day and isn’t open every day. Check the hours before you promise the toddler anything.
7. There Are 3-D Movies at an Extra Charge
You can buy a ticket to a 3-D movie as an add-on. The current feature is a film about Sue the T. rex, which pairs nicely with seeing the real skeleton in person. Offerings rotate, so check what’s showing at the time of your visit.
8. There Are a Couple of Dining Options
There are a couple of dining options at the museum, but you can do better elsewhere. The museum lets you come and go, so you’re not trapped. Hit a restaurant near the Field Museum for a better meal at a better price.
Pro tip: Outside food is allowed. Pack a lunch, save $50, and eat it at a table by the lake.
If you’d rather eat on-site, the options are usually:
Explorer Cafe
The Explorer Cafe is typically open for lunch with pizza, sandwiches, chicken tenders, and salads. Gluten-free buns have been available. Menus and hours shift seasonally, so confirm on the day.
Field Bistro
The Field Bistro is a quick-service spot that has served breakfast and lunch. Along with a full bar (for the parents who’ve earned it), it offers things like burgers, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and tacos, with gluten-free buns available. As with the cafe, double-check current hours when you arrive.
9. There Are Ways to Save
If your child is under 3, he or she gets in free. The rest of you do not. General admission starts around $30 for out-of-town guests and $21 for Chicago residents, and the museum isn’t cheap once you add a few of those. But there are real ways to save, so don’t pay full price.
Know the Ticket Tiers Before You Buy
The museum sells admission in tiers, and buying more than you’ll use is the easiest way to overspend:
- Basic / General Admission — all the permanent halls (dinosaurs, Egypt, the lions, and so on). For most families, this is enough.
- Discovery Pass — Basic plus one special exhibition or one 3-D movie.
- All-Access Pass — Basic plus all special exhibitions and one 3-D movie. Worth it only if you genuinely plan to see the add-ons.
Pick the tier that matches your actual plan, not your optimism. Confirm current prices here before you check out.
Illinois Residents Can Visit Free on Select Wednesdays
Illinois residents can get free general admission on Illinois Free Wednesdays, which in recent years has run as a summer-season program (roughly June through early September) rather than scattered dates. Free admission covers the permanent halls but typically excludes 3-D movies and special ticketed exhibits. Dates change yearly, so check the official free days page before you plan around it.
Pro tip: If you can afford to pay, avoid the free days. They are noticeably more crowded.
Visit During the Week
Ticket prices can vary by day, and weekdays generally beat weekends on both price and crowds. If you can swing a Tuesday or Thursday, you’ll likely save a little money and a lot of sanity.
There Are Passes with Access to Multiple Attractions
If you’re visiting multiple Chicago attractions, do the math to see whether CityPASS or Go City saves you money. They pay off when you’re cramming several big-ticket stops into a couple of days, and they don’t when you aren’t.
Consider a Membership
Visiting more than once? A membership that comes with perks (like restaurant and gift shop savings) can pay for itself in about two visits.
Teachers and Military Get Free Admission
Several groups get in free, including Illinois pre-K–12 teachers and active-duty military, veterans, and Gold Star ID cardholders. Bring valid ID. Students and seniors with ID have also gotten a small discount — verify current terms on the tickets page.
Kids Museum Passport Holders Get in Free
Chicago Public Library cardholders can check out a Kids Museum Passport, which has offered free admission to the Field Museum along with spots like the Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, and the Art Institute. Terms can change, so confirm with your library branch.
Book a Hotel Package
A hotel package through a partner hotel is unlikely to be your best deal. Using points for a free stay or booking independently will usually beat it. But if you’re coming to Chicago mainly for the museum and want maximum ease, check out the museum’s partner hotels. If you’d rather earn the stay, our guides to points and miles for beginners and the best beginner travel credit cards can help.
Groupon
Periodically, you can find a deal on Groupon.
Free Admission for Members of ASTC Institutions
Members of institutions in the Association of Science and Technology Centers reciprocal network may get free admission. If you hold a membership to a science museum back home, check whether it qualifies before you buy a ticket.
Field Museum with Kids: FAQ
How much does the Field Museum cost?
General admission starts around $30 for out-of-town guests and $21 for Chicago residents, with kids under 3 free. Add-on tiers (Discovery and All-Access) cost more and bundle in special exhibitions or a 3-D movie. Always check current pricing, since rates change.
How long do you need at the Field Museum with kids?
About half a day. Hit the dinosaurs, Egypt, Underground Adventure, and The Machine Inside, skip most of the pottery and gem halls, and you’ll be done before the kids melt down. That leaves time to pair it with the Shedd Aquarium next door.
Is the Field Museum or the Museum of Science and Industry better for kids?
For kids, the Museum of Science and Industry wins. It’s more hands-on and holds younger kids’ attention better. Choose the Field Museum if your child is dinosaur- or mummy-obsessed, or if you have time for both.
Is the Field Museum too scary for young kids?
Most of it is fine, but Inside Ancient Egypt is dimly lit and deals with death, including a screen showing a child’s skeleton. Sensitive little ones may want to skip that section. The man-eating lions and animatronic bugs in Underground Adventure are more thrilling than truly frightening.
Can you bring your own food into the Field Museum?
Yes. Outside food is allowed, and since you can come and go, packing a lunch is the cheapest move. The on-site cafe and bistro work in a pinch, but you’ll eat better — and cheaper — almost anywhere else.
Final Thoughts – Should I Visit the Field Museum with Kids?
Should you visit the Field Museum with kids? Sure — if you have more than one day downtown. The dinosaurs are genuinely cool, Egypt and Underground Adventure are highlights, and there are several solid ways to save on admission.
If you only have one day, the Field Museum should not be your priority. Over half the exhibits will mean nothing to a kid. Head to the Museum of Science and Industry instead — it has so much more to offer. And before you go, run through our Chicago with kids packing list so you’re not buying $9 ponchos by the lake.
Visit Chicago. You will not regret it.
