I had the privilege of enjoying Father’s Day at the Field Museum in Chicago. This was our first visit to the historic museum and we look forward to returning soon. We managed to walkthrough half of the permanent exhibits in the four hours we spent at the museum. This is definitely a place where you need to plan multiple visits or one day open to close to enjoy everything the museum has to offer.
Our favorite exhibit of the day was Evolving World. This immersive, meandering and above all engaging display captured our attention and our imagination. We were shocked to learn among things that there have been five mass extinction events on earth so far and that we are currently experiencing a six. The current extinction event is the first mass extinction caused by living creatures (humans) rather than by natural or cosmic events, such as climate change or shifting tectonic plates.
Our toddler handled most of the visit quite well without incident. However, we all could have benefited from more interactive opportunities beyond the occasional “push this button to start video.” She was also startled by a simulated volcanic eruption. Beyond that, there was little to worry about at her age. Older children would likely glean more from the whole experience, and would also look to you frequently for explanations. While displays are certainly not grotesque and are tame compared to most blockbuster films, they do depict the brutal reality that death is part of life scientifically and graphically.
Overall, this museum.is highly recommended for families and includes several amenities which set it apart from other attractions. At the top of the list are delicious dining options and toilet facilities tailored to families. We dined at the Bistro which provides a la carte options including made to order stir fry and salads as well as made from scratch soups. The ground floor restrooms are well appointed with private nursing room in the women’s side and changing tables, toddler stalls and toddler sinks in both men’s and women’s sides.
During our next trip we will be sure to visit the other half of the permanent exhibits. The temporary exhibits and 3D movie are probably a year two down the road. In any case we will definitely be coming back to discover and rediscover all over again.