# Field Museum

> The Field Museum grew out of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and opened in 1894 as the Columbian Museum of Chicago.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/field-museum/

A large natural history museum on Chicago's lakefront, known for its dinosaur skeleton and wide-ranging collections. Plan a half day, arrive at opening and combine it with a walk along the nearby museum campus.

The Field Museum grew out of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and opened in 1894 as the Columbian Museum of Chicago. The current Classical-style building opened on May 2, 1921, and stands on the lakefront Museum Campus, together with the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975. According to the museum, it holds nearly 40 million objects and specimens covering biodiversity, fossils, meteorites, gems and anthropology.

The museum is known for "Sue," a T. rex about 40 feet (12.3 m) long and 13 feet (4 m) tall at the hip, which according to Wikipedia died at age 28. With over a million visitors in 2022, the museum is busy. Arrive early in the morning and plan on half a day. Afterward you can explore the Museum Campus along the water. Downtown Chicago is not suitable for RVs.

- **Nearest town:** Chicago, IL
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 41.8663, -87.6170

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Museum History – Field Museum](https://www.fieldmuseum.org/museum-history)
- [Field Museum of Natural History – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Museum_of_Natural_History)

## Nearby

- [Route 66 Begin Sign](https://camping-spirit.com/places/r66-begin/) – 1 mi
- [Millennium Park and Cloud Gate](https://camping-spirit.com/places/cloud-gate-millennium-park/) – 1 mi
- [Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio](https://camping-spirit.com/places/frank-lloyd-wright-home-studio/) – 9 mi
- [West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b10-west-beach/) – 27 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Field Museum?

Field Museum is in Chicago, IL, at GPS 41.8663, -87.6170. It is about 39 mi from Michigan City.

### Can you camp near Field Museum?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground, about 18 mi away; within 25 mi there are 4 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Field Museum?

Places worth a stop nearby: Route 66 Begin Sign (1 mi), Millennium Park and Cloud Gate (1 mi), Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (9 mi) and West Beach, Indiana Dunes National Park (27 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Field Museum?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)