Field Museum Chicago: SUE T. Rex & Egyptian Mummies Tickets

40 Million Artifacts Under One Roof—Including a T. Rex That Still Stops You Cold

You get admission to all permanent exhibitions—SUE, the Egyptian mummies, the Gem Hall, Dinosaur Hall, and the Ancient Americas—plus access to free daily docent-led tours. The museum spans nearly half a million square feet of gallery space, is fully wheelchair accessible, and opens at 9am daily. Arrive early to avoid crowds and secure a spot in the 3D theater if that interests you.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Visit SUE, the complete T. rex
• Discover Inside Ancient Egypt mummies
• Experience Underground Adventure exhibit
• Explore the Hall of Gems
• See the Hall of Jades collection
• Journey through Ancient Americas history
• Visit the Dinosaur Hall - Evolving Planet
• Enjoy dining and 3D theaters
• View Lake Michigan and Chicago skyline

The Experience

The moment you walk into the main hall and SUE appears—a skeleton so complete and so massive it seems to occupy the entire space—you understand why people come back. SUE is the world's largest, most complete T. rex ever found, and no photo prepares you for the actual scale of it. The Field Museum holds over 40 million artifacts total, but SUE is the one that makes you stop walking and just stare. After that, the rest of the day unfolds in a kind of controlled chaos: you could spend three hours here or eight, depending on how deep you want to go.

The Egyptian wing is where families tend to linger longest. Inside Ancient Egypt recreates a tomb with 23 mummified remains and 5,000-year-old hieroglyphics on the walls—it's dim, detailed, and genuinely absorbing without being morbid. Then there's Underground Adventure, where the whole room shrinks you down to 1/100th your natural size so you're moving through a subterranean world at insect scale. The Hall of Gems is newer and dazzling in the way gem collections are—you'll see one of the largest Chinese jade collections in North America in the Hall of Jades right next to it. The Dinosaur Hall (called Evolving Planet) mixes giant sloths, woolly mammoths, and dinosaurs together, and Maximo, the museum's newest titanosaur, towers over two stories tall. The Ancient Americas section spans 13,000 years from Ice Age hunters to Aztec temples.

Arrive between 9am and noon if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds and have time to actually move through the galleries without feeling rushed. The museum stays open until 5pm, but last general admission is 4pm, so plan accordingly. The building sits on Chicago's Museum Campus with views of Lake Michigan and the downtown skyline from outside, and there are dining spots inside if you need a break. Free docent-led tours happen daily—they're worth catching if you want context on what you're looking at, though the museum maps come in ten languages so you can navigate solo if you prefer. The 3D theaters are an extra charge and need to be reserved early.

What’s included

• Your admission includes entry to all permanent exhibitions at the Field Museum of Natural History—SUE the T. rex, Inside Ancient Egypt with 23 mummies, the Hall of Gems, Hall of Jades, Dinosaur Hall (Evolving Planet), the Ancient Americas section spanning 13,000 years, and Underground Adventure.
• Free daily docent-led tours are included.
• The museum provides maps in ten languages, operates from 9am to 5pm daily, and offers dining facilities and two 3D theaters (3D movies are an additional charge).
• All galleries and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and service animals are welcome.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Field Museum - Chicago

Is this one for you?Right for anyone visiting Chicago who wants to see major natural history collections in one place without planning multiple stops—the Field Museum's scale and range mean you get everything from dinosaurs to mummies to gems under one roof, and the free tours help you understand what you're looking at if you want that context.

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Top questions

What time should I arrive at the Field Museum?

Arriving between 9am and noon is recommended to avoid crowds and have time to explore. The museum opens at 9am and closes at 5pm; last general admission is 4pm.

Is SUE the T. rex really worth seeing in person?

SUE is the world's largest and most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered. Most visitors find the actual scale and detail striking compared to photos.

Are the docent-led tours included with admission?

Yes, free daily docent-led tours are included with your ticket. No reservation needed, though arrival early in the day increases your chances of catching one.

Can I bring children and strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The museum is suitable for all ages and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Is the 3D movie included in admission?

No, the 3D theaters charge an extra fee and operate subject to availability. It's recommended to reserve early if you want to see one.

How long should I plan to spend at the Field Museum?

Most visitors spend 3 to 8 hours depending on their interests. With 40 million artifacts and multiple major exhibitions, you can go deep or hit the highlights.

Is the Field Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed.

What languages are the museum maps available in?

Maps are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Polish, and Portuguese.

Is there food inside the museum?

Yes, the museum has dining facilities on-site. You can take a break without leaving the building.

How do I get to the Field Museum?

The museum is located on Chicago's Museum Campus. Public transportation options are available nearby.