Chicago Field Museum: Admission Ticket & Docent Tours

Summary

See SUE the T. rex, ancient mummies, and rare gems in Chicago

You’ll step into Chicago’s Field Museum with admission included—meet SUE the T. rex up close, wander an ancient Egyptian tomb filled with real mummies, and get lost among sparkling gems or towering fossils. Docent-led tours run daily so you can ask questions or just listen in as locals share stories that make history feel alive.

What’s the experience like?

We walked into the Field Museum just after 10am—already a low hum of families and school groups echoing off those tall marble halls. Our local guide, Sam (he’s been here since the ‘90s), waved us over by the giant titanosaur. Maximo’s neck stretched up so far I had to lean back and nearly lost my balance. Sam grinned and said, “He’s new—don’t worry, he doesn’t bite.” The air had that faint museum smell—old paper, polished stone, something I can’t quite name but always makes me think of childhood field trips.

I’ll be honest: I came for SUE the T. rex. Standing there under her massive skull (her teeth are bigger than my hand), I got this weird mix of awe and giddiness—like you’re meeting a celebrity but also realizing how tiny you really are. There were kids pressing their faces to the glass; one little girl asked her dad if dinosaurs liked pizza. That made me laugh out loud—Sam just winked at her and said “Only on Fridays.”

The Ancient Egypt exhibit was darker and quieter, almost hushed compared to the dinosaur hall. We ducked into a recreated tomb where you could smell cool stone and old dust (or maybe that was my imagination). Twenty-three mummies lined up in glass cases—I tried to read some hieroglyphics but gave up after two symbols. My friend tried to pronounce one of the pharaoh names; Li laughed when she butchered it (I didn’t do much better). Later we wandered through Gem Hall—the light bouncing off all those crystals made everything feel slightly unreal.

There’s too much to see in one go—Chinese jade carvings, mammoth skeletons, Aztec artifacts that look like they belong in an adventure movie. We grabbed coffee by a window facing Lake Michigan; even on a gray day that skyline is something else. If you’re even a little curious about history or dinosaurs (or just want to feel small in the best way), this place sticks with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Field Museum exhibits and galleries

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

Top questions

Is Field Museum admission included with this ticket?

Yes, your ticket includes general admission to the Field Museum of Natural History.

Are docent-led tours available every day?

Yes, free daily docent-led tours are included with your admission.

Does this ticket include access to special exhibits?

Your ticket includes entry to ticketed exhibits unless otherwise specified; 3D movies require an extra charge.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces at the Field Museum are wheelchair accessible.

Are strollers or prams allowed inside?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the museum.

What time should I arrive for best access?

Arriving between 9am-12pm is recommended for reserving time slots for special exhibitions or 3D movies.

Are museum maps available in different languages?

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

What are the museum opening hours?

The Field Museum is open from 9am-5pm; last general admission is at 4pm.

What’s included

Your day includes full admission to Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History with access to daily docent-led tours and entry to special ticketed exhibits; all main galleries are wheelchair accessible and strollers are welcome throughout your visit.