On our recent trip to Chicago, we made sure to spend some time at one of the city’s iconic institutions, the Field Museum. From ancient Egypt to dinosaurs to rocks and gems, this natural history museum offers visitors some awe-inspiring learning opportunities that can’t be found just anywhere.
1. A T-Rex named Sue: This is the largest, most complete, and best preserved tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered. Located in the museum’s central corridor, she is impossible to miss.
2. Prehistoric animals you’ve never heard of before: The Evolving Planet exhibit will take you on a journey through the history of life on earth. My favorite was the very tall Giant Ground Sloth, which lived during the Quaternary period.
3. All that sparkles is not gold…sometimes it’s a gem: The Hall of Gems and the Hall of Jades are impressive, but it may surprise you to discover that only 3% of the museum’s geological collection is actually on display!
4. Special exhibits: From Extreme Mammals to Genghis Khan, the Field Museum offers special exhibits that appeal to a wide audience. Check out the museum’s website to find out which exhibits are appropriate for which age groups.
5. Beautiful architecture: The neo-classical Field Museum is magnificent. The museum opened to the public in its current location in 1921, after six years of construction and some discussions with the military concerning using the building as a hospital during World War I. Chicago is one of the architectural capitals of the world, so make sure you observe your surroundings both at the Field Museum and elsewhere in Chicago. To read more about the Field Museum from an architectural perspective, click here.
Have another reason why the Field Museum is worth a visit? Tell us about it in the comments section.
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