Plan Your Visit to Field Museum: Timings and Directions

To enrich the educational experience for families, the museum provides special programs like PlayLab PlayDates and Meet a Scientist sessions, allowing children to engage with natural history topics in a fun and interactive setting while interacting with museum experts and educators.

Children can also benefit from audio guides and kid-focused materials available at the museum, crafted to suit various age ranges and designed to support independent exploration and learning, though specific age recommendations can be obtained directly from museum information desk or website.

Families with young children will find the museum navigable and stroller-friendly, with accessible pathways throughout the galleries ensuring ease of movement; while the museum does not explicitly state stroller policies, the facility’s layout supports family visits with convenient amenities to accommodate visitors with small children.

Photography is generally permitted; however, flash photography is strictly prohibited to protect delicate artifacts and specimens from potential damage.

To preserve the cleanliness and integrity of exhibits, consumption of food and beverages is not allowed inside the museum galleries.

All visitors and their belongings are subject to security screening upon entry to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Only service animals are permitted within the museum; pets and other animals are not allowed to accompany guests inside the facility.

Shedd Aquarium
An esteemed aquatic institution showcasing a vast array of marine life, from colorful tropical fish to majestic marine mammals. It offers immersive exhibits and educational programs, providing a comprehensive glimpse into aquatic ecosystems. Located adjacent to The Field Museum, it is easily accessible on Chicago’s Museum Campus.

Adler Planetarium
America’s first planetarium, Adler Planetarium offers engaging astronomy exhibits, immersive sky shows, and interactive displays about space exploration and celestial phenomena. Situated next to The Field Museum, it forms part of the Museum Campus and is within a short walking distance.

Museum Campus
A scenic lakeside park connecting The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, offering picturesque views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The Campus provides walking paths, green spaces, and picnic spots, ideal for visitors looking to enjoy outdoor activities between museum visits.

Grant Park
A large urban park in downtown Chicago renowned for its gardens, art installations, and festivals. It is a short distance from The Field Museum, offering visitors additional opportunities for leisure, outdoor concerts, and cultural events.

Northerly Island
An urban nature preserve on Lake Michigan featuring walking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and lakefront views. Located a brief distance east of The Field Museum, it is perfect for visitors seeking natural surroundings and recreational activities near the city center.

Museum of Science and Industry
One of the largest science museums in the world, housed in the historic Palace of Fine Arts from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. While a bit farther from The Field Museum, around a 10-minute drive, it offers extensive hands-on exhibits and educational attractions suitable for all ages.

The Field Museum is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming environment for all visitors, including those with physical disabilities. To accommodate guests who require mobility assistance, the museum offers wheelchairs free of charge. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be requested at the main information desk upon arrival.

Throughout the museum, exhibit spaces, public areas, and restrooms are designed to be fully accessible to wheelchair users. The facility features smooth, wide pathways and ramps where necessary to ensure comfortable navigation across all galleries and display areas. Elevators are strategically located to provide convenient access between the museum’s multiple floors, maintaining barrier-free movement for visitors with mobility challenges.

In addition to physical access, the Field Museum provides accessible seating in all auditoriums, theaters, and similar event spaces to accommodate guests using wheelchairs or those requiring additional support. Staff members are trained to assist and ensure that visitors with physical disabilities have a safe and enjoyable experience during presentations and programs.

Overall, the Field Museum’s accessibility measures reflect its dedication to inclusivity, ensuring that every guest can fully engage with its educational and cultural offerings.

The Field Museum is dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible experience for all visitors, including those with hearing impairments. To support guests with hearing challenges, the museum offers complimentary audio guides that feature T-coil compatible hearing loops, allowing for seamless use with compatible hearing aids. These assistive technologies ensure that visitors can clearly hear narrated content throughout the museum.

In addition, transcripts for audio exhibits and films are available upon request, enabling visitors to engage fully with the information presented in a written format. This resource allows guests to experience the museum’s educational content at their own pace and comfort.

For those joining guided tours, assistive listening devices are provided to guarantee that all participants can follow and enjoy the commentary without missing important details. These accommodations reflect The Field Museum’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that every visitor can experience the depth and richness of natural history on offer.

The Field Museum is deeply committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors, including those with visual impairments. To support a rich and engaging experience, the museum offers a variety of accommodations tailored to meet the needs of visually impaired guests.

Tactile exhibits and braille guides are thoughtfully integrated into key displays, allowing visitors to explore important artifacts and specimens through touch. These resources provide valuable information and enable a more interactive connection to the museum’s collections.

Additionally, the museum’s audio guide system features detailed audio descriptions that bring exhibits to life through vivid narration. This service helps visually impaired guests gain a fuller understanding of the exhibits’ content and context as they tour the galleries.

Service animals are welcomed throughout the entire venue, in accordance with the museum’s accessibility policies. This ensures that visitors who rely on service animals can navigate and enjoy the museum comfortably and independently.

The Field Museum staff receive specialized training to assist visitors with visual impairments. Team members are readily available to provide guidance, answer questions, and offer support whenever needed, ensuring every guest has the opportunity to fully appreciate the museum’s offerings in an accessible manner.

Through these thoughtful accommodations and dedicated staff support, The Field Museum strives to make natural history accessible and engaging for all members of the community.