Field Museum of Natural History Chicago Tickets: how to buy and prices

Visit Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History and discover how we have evolved through the ages. Enjoy the various anthropological, zoological, botanical, and geological exhibits.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Field Museum of Natural History Chicago Tickets: how to buy and prices

Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago | ©Lisa Andres

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world. This is due to the fact that its halls house important natural and historical finds. It has a collection of more than 40 million objects from different periods and civilisations.

With tickets to this research museum you will enjoy a unique experience, which will allow you to find out what life was like millions of years ago on planet Earth. This is one of the things to see and do in Chicago during your stay, whether you are travelling alone or with the little ones at home.

The best option

Chicago Field Museum of Natural History Tickets

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago: tickets to see different exhibits

You can choose from three types of entrance tickets, so you can visit the rooms that interest you most at your own pace. You can also plan a group visit and make the most of the experience with the guide's commentary.

Recommended if... you want to see what life was like hundreds of millions of years ago.

At the Field Museum of Natural History you'll learn about the different periods and civilisations that have existed, see impressive displays of animals, fossils and plants. You'll see ancient jewellery, mummies and countless historical artefacts. Plus, thanks to the power of technology, you'll have the opportunity to watch a 3D film showing the gentle behaviour of the titanosaurus and scenes of tyrannosaurus rex predation.

You can also enjoy a delicious meal in the Field Bistro restaurant, located on the ground floor of the building. And if you want to bring your own snacks, head to the museum's seating area, which is made up of a series of tables and comfortable chairs. Afterwards, you can stop by the souvenir shop to buy a book, postcard or any other product.

How much do tickets to Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History cost?

Inside the Field Museum| ©Steve Lamb
Inside the Field Museum| ©Steve Lamb

Basic admission to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago costs an average of £29 per person and gives you access to the general exhibits. These include the Griffin Hall, Hall of the Ancient Americas and Inside Ancient Egypt.

There is also the discovery pass, which costs €36 and the all access pass, for which you pay €42.

In addition to buying any of these tickets, consider the possibility of free access to the aforementioned rooms. To do so, you will need to meet some verifiable requirements.

  • Have a membership in a museum or science centre that is affiliated with the ASTC admission programme.
  • Be active military.
  • Children under 3 years of age.

Reserve tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History

What types of tickets are available? Are there skip-the-line tickets to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago?

Field Museum Experience| ©Sachin VI
Field Museum Experience| ©Sachin VI

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago has three types of tickets: the all access pass, the discovery pass and the basic ticket. Each of them gives you different options regarding the exhibits you will be able to visit:

  • Basic ticket: you will have the opportunity to see the open exhibits, i.e. the Griffin Hall, including "Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex" and "Maximus the Titanosaurus," as well as the Hall of the Ancient Americas and Inside Ancient Egypt.
  • Discovery Pass: you'll enjoy the benefits of basic admission, plus one of four exhibits (Cyrus Tang Hall of China, Wild Colour, Underground Adventure Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep). Plus, you'll see a 3D film.
  • Theall access pass offers you general admission, the 3D film and the four exhibitions.

On the subject of queuing, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago does not have a special ticket that guarantees you queue-free entry. However, if you use a tourist pass, you will be able to enter directly.

Book tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History

Are tickets to the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History included in a Chicago Sightseeing Pass?

Arriving at the Field Museum| ©Andrea Contratto
Arriving at the Field Museum| ©Andrea Contratto

Yes, tickets to the Field Museum of Natural History are included in some Chicago sightseeing passes and attraction tickets.

Such is the case with the City Pass, which includes the all access pass and the Chicago Explorer Pass, with the discovery pass.

Whichever sightseeing pass you use, you will save up to 55%. Plus, you'll avoid wasting time queuing, as you can simply go straight to the ticket office, scan the QR code on your mobile phone screen and enter the galleries.

Book tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History

Are there tickets that include a guided tour of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, and is it worth it?

Tour Guide| ©Ben Grey
Tour Guide| ©Ben Grey

Yes, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago offers guided tours that are worthwhile, as they incorporate a tour guide, who will accompany you on the tour to tell you the history of the exhibits.

These guided tours are aimed at groups of tourists, locals and students. Prices are usually staggered, according to the selection of exhibits you wish to see.

In any case, to opt for this type of tour you must go to the museum's official website, fill in and send a booking form.

In it, you will specify the number of people who are going to participate in the tour, the type of tickets you want, the day and time of the visit.

In addition, for detailed information on prices and general planning, please click here.

Are there discounted tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago?

Touring the Museum| ©Jess
Touring the Museum| ©Jess

Yes, the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History offers discounted admission for seniors, students and children between the ages of 3 and 11.

However, to take advantage of this special price you will need to present your ID at the entrance of the building. In addition, you will have to make the purchase directly at the ticket office, as the reduced price does not apply online.

Among the special discounts is one for families of up to six people who present an EBT card, obtaining a reduced price of €3 on the basic ticket.

Similarly, city residents pay a price of €24, saving €5 on the general cost.

Are there special tickets for children?

At the Museum with Children| ©tagbuzzard
At the Museum with Children| ©tagbuzzard

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago does not directly offer special admission for children. However, children under the age of 3 can enter for free and those aged 3 to 11 get a reduced price that can vary from 11 to 22€, depending on where they live (Chicago, Illinois or out of state).

Likewise, this visit should be a must if you are travelling with your children, as they will gain incalculable knowledge. It's definitely one of the things to see and do in Chicago with kids.

Why is it worth buying tickets online instead of at the box office?

Book Online| ©Porapak Apichodilok
Book Online| ©Porapak Apichodilok

Buying tickets online is worth it because it allows you to select the exact day you want to visit. This way, when you arrive at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, you can be sure that you will be able to enter the museum without any inconvenience.

On the other hand, if you buy your tickets at the box office on the day of your visit without even having booked, you will probably have to wait in a long que ue until there is availability to enter.

Without a doubt, the online ticketing system is quite advantageous. You will have more time in your itinerary to do other activities before or after visiting the museum. Such as touring the city on foot, taking one of Chicago's best sightseeing buses or joining a Segway tour of the main streets.

Book tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History

Chicago Field Museum of Natural History Opening Hours

Museum Skeleton| ©tagbuzzard
Museum Skeleton| ©tagbuzzard

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, please note that the last admission is 60 minutes before closing time, i.e. 4pm.

It is important to take into consideration when planning your visit that the museum is closed annually on Christmas Day (25 December) and Thanksgiving Day (24 November).

How much time do you need to visit the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago?

Museum Works| ©Kiersten Meybaum
Museum Works| ©Kiersten Meybaum

The time taken to tour the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago can range from 1 to 6 hours. It all depends on the type of ticket you purchase (full, discovery or basic), as each ticket offers access to a different number of rooms and therefore will require more or less time.

This is certainly not a visit you can take lightly. You will need to have enough time to observe each of the artefacts and natural species on display. That is why the museum allows you to use the same ticket twice during the day.

This way, you can start your tour in the morning and take a break to leave the museum for another activity on your itinerary.

For example, a quick cruise on Chicago's Lake Michigan, as these tranquil waters are just minutes away from the building. Afterwards, you can return to the museum by 4pm to continue exploring.

Best time to visit the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago

Aboriginal Museum| ©Oscar Shen
Aboriginal Museum| ©Oscar Shen

Off-peak days or times tend to be the best time to visit the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. This allows you to walk the halls more freely, stop in front of the exhibits to admire them, study them and understand the history.

The Chicago Field Museum of Natural History generally sees a low number of visitors daily between 9:00 and 10: 00 am. The same happens one hour before closing time, i.e. at 16:00.

The hours between 13:00 and 14:00, on the other hand, stand out as the busiest and, therefore, the time you should definitely avoid.

How to get to the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago?

Chicago Subway| ©hotvianska_girl
Chicago Subway| ©hotvianska_girl

The Chicago Field Museum of Natural History is located at 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, right on the shores of the famous Lake Michigan. This location is quite accessible by bus, train or underground. Therefore, any locals or tourists in the city centre can easily get there.

There are several bus, train and underground lines, which stop just minutes away from the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History. For example:

  • Bus: bus line 146 is available.
  • Train: you can take the UP-NW, UP-N, ME or MD-N train line.
  • Underground or Chicago "L": in this case you can use the Red Line, Orange Line or Green Line route.

In fact, you can download a public transport app to your mobile phone, which allows you to check timetables and fares for all lines and routes.

Book tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History

What you can't miss at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History

Cyrus Tang Hall of China| ©Morgan A
Cyrus Tang Hall of China| ©Morgan A

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago has about 30 permanent exhibits, consisting of a large collection of more than 40 million artifacts and natural species.

Inside you will be able to see different exhibits that show what life was like in its beginnings: animal and plant diversity, human evolution and the internal and external composition of the earth.

This building founded in 1893 is one of the best museums in Chicago. In fact, it is world-renowned for providing great research work and preserving valuable natural finds of humanity.

Among the main exhibits offered by the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, the following stand out:

  • Griffin Halls: shows the evolution of the earth over 4.5 billion years. You will see approximately 12 amazing dinosaurs, including "Sue". This is the skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, 4 metres tall and 12.3 metres long, which lived in the Cretaceous period.
  • Hall of Jades: it houses more than 450 jades, belonging to different Chinese dynasties.
  • Hall of Gems: offers hundreds of precious stones and jewels found all over the world.
  • Cyrus Tang Hall of China: the history of China is present in this collection with an 8.2 metre long scroll and huge spiritual stones. In total, 350 objects make up this exhibition.
  • The Titanosaurus Maximus: a specimen with a history of more than 100 million years, considered the largest herbivorous dinosaur.
  • Inside Ancient Egypt: it shows you the millenary Egyptian culture through an exhibition of 50 mummies and some tomb replicas.

The museum also has other rooms dedicated to the discovery of DNA, basketry, wild nature, the desert, plants of the world, the Jurassic Ocean, among others.

Tips for visiting Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History

Museum's Amphibian Collection| ©Jay Cross
Museum's Amphibian Collection| ©Jay Cross

To visit the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago it is important that you put into practice some basic tips. This way, you will avoid inconveniences and enjoy the tour to the fullest.

  • Buy your tickets online and save time at the ticket office.
  • Do not take large bags or suitcases with you, as access with this type of object is forbidden.
  • If you need a wheelchair, don't worry. You can borrow one at the east or south entrance to the museum.
  • You can hire a push chair at any of the entrances to the museum, so you can take the tour more comfortably without having to carry your child in your arms.
  • You can bring food and drink with you, but you must not consume them inside the galleries. You will get a designated area on the ground floor to enjoy your snacks.

Book tickets for the Field Museum of Natural History