Field Museum of Natural History
Twenty-four million specimens under one roof — a collection that began with a world's fair held here in 1893.
Coming soon on iOS — be first to walk Chicago offline.
The collection was born from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and named for department-store magnate Marshall Field, its first major benefactor. Today it spans fossils, gemstones, meteorites, and cultural artifacts from every continent — one of the largest natural history collections on earth, drawing up to 2 million visitors a year.
What to look for
- Fossil exhibitions — a permanent feature of the collection, not a rotating loan
- Gemstones and meteorites drawn from the 24-million-object specimen holdings
- Interactive conservation displays framed around present-day environmental urgency
A private nonprofit that charges admission; expect significant crowds given 2 million annual visitors — weekday mornings are your best bet.
Field Museum of Natural History is one of 37 sights worth the detour in Chicago, all bundled offline in Voyage GO — download the Chicago pack and it sits on your map with no signal, filling your travel passport the moment you walk past.
More to see in Chicago
- Willis TowerIt held the world's tallest title for nearly 25 years after opening in 1973 — and the Skydeck is still the highest observation deck in the United States.
- Art Institute of ChicagoFour paintings you've seen your whole life — Nighthawks, La Grande Jatte, The Old Guitarist, American Gothic — hang in the same building.
- John Hancock Center (875 N Michigan Ave)A moving platform pivots you 30 degrees outward over the Magnificent Mile — 1,128 feet of nothing beneath your feet.
- Aon CenterWhen it opened in 1973 as "Big Stan," this 83-floor tower was the fourth-tallest building on Earth — and clad entirely in marble.
- United CenterThe Bulls hardwood floor is literally assembled over the Blackhawks ice and taken apart game by game — two teams, one frozen surface, shared by puzzle.
- Soldier FieldThe NFL's oldest stadium lost its National Historic Landmark status because of the renovation meant to save it.