The Field Museum (The Field Museum)

Member Name: siantone

Product:	The Field Museum
Date:	19/05/09 (3 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: plenty to see- high quality collections and good customer care

Disadvantages: overwhelming, building not near shops and eating places

The Field Museum is one of the most outstanding museums in the world in terms of its scope, size of collections, its research and what it offers to visitors. It is a bit like the London science museum, British Museum and the London natural history museum rolled into one.

It is best to take stock when you first arrive and pick up a floor plan and if you have children, survey the many children's activities on offer. Don't miss 'Sue'- the most complete skeleton of a T-Rex found. This is a museum that does not put facsimile skeletons on display like other museums, you will always see the real thing, even if the bones are fragile.

The museum has good people stories as well as a wealth of taxidermic animals on display. For example, they have exhibits on enslaved Africans and sensitive displays about indigenous Americans.

The galleries are clearly differentiated so there will be a gallery to please everyone in your party, whether they like vibrant design and interactivity or more contemplative spaces with traditional labels and panels to read.

The basement is very good for eating- lots of healthy salads as well as carbs meals. This was especially helpful as I visited during January when it was minus 10 Celcius outside and would have been difficult to pop outside to find somewhere.

The shop is full of imaginative goods that are not too gimmicky or breakable. I bought Navajo jewellery here for a very reasonable price plus I knew it dealings with the artist had been ethical.

Summary: a must see sight in Chicago