Chicago Museum Campus Tickets, Tips and Treasures

Navigating the Chicago Museum Campus: Your Guide to Tickets, Tips, and Treasures

Chicago’s Museum Campus is the place of culture, science, and history, home of three world-famouse museums: the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium.

Whether you’re a dinosaur lover, an underwater explorer, or a stargazer, there’s something for everyone on this scenic lakefront Museum campus.

But with multiple admission tickets options, different hours, and a plenty of exhibits to explore, planning your visit to Chicago museum campus can be overwhelming.

Do not worry! In this comprehensive guide I will give you all details along with all the useful information that you need to make the most of your Museum Campus adventure.

Museum Campus Ticket Types and Prices:

Each museum offers different kinds of ticket options to suit different needs and budgets, ranging from basic general admission to all-access passes. Following is a breakdown:

1. The Field Museum:

• General Admission: It gives you access to all permanent exhibits, including the SUE the T. rex, the Ancient Egypt exhibit, and the Hall of Gems.
  • Adults: $30
  • Children (3-11): $21
  • Seniors (65+): $27
• Discovery Pass: This pass includes general admission plus one special exhibit or 3D movie.
  • Adults: $38
  • Children (3-11): $27
  • Seniors (65+): $34
• All-Access Pass: This pass is for those who wants the ultimate Field Museum experience, including general admission, all special exhibits, and 3D movies.
  • Adults: $48
  • Children (3-11): $33
  • Seniors (65+): $43

2. Shedd Aquarium:

• General Admission: Perfect for exploring the diverse aquatic life in the Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, and Wild Reef exhibits.
  • Adults: $39.95
  • Children (3-11): $29.95
• Total Experience Pass: This pass includes general admission plus access to the 4D Experience and aquatic presentations.
  • Adults: $49.95
  • Children (3-11): $39.95
• Animal Encounter: Do you want to get close and personal with penguins, beluga whales, or sea otters (additional fees apply), animal encounter pass is the way to go.

3. Adler Planetarium:

• General Admission: You will have great time understanding and learning about the cosmos in exhibits like the Atwood Sphere, Our Solar System, and the Grainger Sky Theater.
  • Adults: $24.95
  • Children (3-11): $19.95
• Star Pass: Includes general admission plus one sky show.
  • Adults: $34.95
  • Children (3-11): $29.95
• All-Access Pass: For those who are curious to have the ultimate space exploration experience, including general admission, all sky shows, and the historic Atwood Sphere experience.
  • Adults: $39.95
  • Children (3-11): $34.95

Pro Tip: Consider purchasing one of the Chicago attraction passes, you can save good amount of money on purchasing Chicago museum campus tickets.

Let me give you some details and tips on purchasing Chicago attraction passes. Right now there are two attraction passes are available: Go City Pass Chicago and CityPASS Chicago.

Using one of above mentioned attraction passes you can save significantly on admission to all three museums and other top Chicago attractions.

Go City Pass Chicago

Go City Pass Chicago has two options to choose from.

All Inclusive Go City Pass Chicago – Includes over 25 top attractions in Chicago. I recommend this pass to those who are planning to spend at least 4 to 5 days in Chicago exploring our city’s landmarks and attractions. This card also has options of 2 and 3 days length.

Explorer Go City Pass Chicago – This explorer Go City Pass Chicago is perfect for those who are looking to visit only few attractions of their choice. This pass is based on number of attractions you plan to visit. At this time of writing this post, explorer go city pass allows you to pick total number of attractions between 2 and 7

In my opinion, explorer go city pass Chicago is perfect for those who are only planning to visit Chicago museum campus. It will save lot of money compared to purchasing individual Chicago museum campus tickets.

You may also like my post on Go City Pass Chicago review.

CityPass Chicago

At this moment City PASS Chicago offers top 5 attraction pass. You can choose from the included attraction. For Chicago museum campus tickets, this pass is also perfect fit as it includes world famous the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium.

You may also like my post on CityPASS Chicago review.

Planning Your Visit: Timing is Everything in Chicago

To maximize your Chicago Museum Campus experience, consider following factors when planning your visit:

• Time of Year: In Chicago, Summer is peak season, so expect larger crowds and long lines during summer season. Spring and fall seasons offer pleasant weather and fewer visitors compared to summer months in Chicago.
• Day of the Week: As in general, weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.
• Time of Day: Arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak hours.
• Chicago Museum Hours:
  • Field Museum: Open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Shedd Aquarium: Open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (extended hours during peak season)
  • Adler Planetarium: Open daily 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Pro Tip: I would recommend you to give good amount of time for each museum. I would say if you are planning to explore each museum then you need at least 3 to 4 hours.

Getting There & Navigating the Museum Campus

The Museum Campus is easily accessible by public transportation, car, or bike:

• Public Transportation: You can take the CTA Red, Green, or Orange Line to Roosevelt Station. From there, it’s a short walk to the campus. Nothing to worry, several bus routes also serve the area.
• Car: Parking is available in the Museum Campus lot, but it can be expensive. Consider parking in nearby parking lots or using a ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft.
• Bike: The Lakefront Trail offers a scenic bike route to the Museum Campus. Bike racks are available near each museum entrance.

Pro Tip: If you are planning to drive car then I would recommend you to download the SpotHero app to find and reserve parking in advance.

Exploring the Campus: Beyond the Museums

The Museum Campus offers more than just museums. I must say that exploring Chicago museums can be exhausting, so I recommend to plan on taking a break from exhibits and enjoy these outdoor attractions:

• Northerly Island: This 120-acre peninsula features walking trails, a nature preserve, and stunning views of the city skyline.
• Soldier Field: Catch a Chicago Bears game or a concert at this iconic stadium.
• Lakefront Trail: Walk, jog, or bike along this scenic path that stretches for miles along Lake Michigan.

Pro Tip: Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it on the grassy areas surrounding the museums.

Enhancing Your Experience: My Insider Tips

• Free Admission Days: Check each museum’s website for free admission days offered throughout the year. It will help you save money on admission tickets.
• Guided Tours: If you are really into knowing every details of the exhibits, then go with a guided tour led by knowledgeable museum staff.
• Special Events: From after-hours events to family festivals, the Museum Campus hosts a variety of special events throughout the year.
• Dining Options: Each museum has a café offering snacks and meals. For more dining options, you can explore the nearby South Loop neighborhood. I would say perfect for relaxing dinner.
• Accessibility: The Museum Campus and its museums are wheelchair accessible.

Pro Tip: If you want to explore museum without guide then I recommend to download the museum apps for interactive maps, exhibit information, and audio guides.

Museum Highlights: A Sneak Peek

I insist and recommend tourists to cover some must-see exhibits at each museum:

The Field Museum:

• SUE the T. rex: At Field Museum you will have great time exploring one of the largest, most complete, and best-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever discovered.
• Inside Ancient Egypt: You will step back in time and explore the fascinating world of ancient Egypt, including mummies, sarcophagi, and hieroglyphics.
• The Hall of Gems: And of course you will be amazed by a stunning collection of gems, minerals, and meteorites.

Shedd Aquarium:

• Amazon Rising: Time to immerse yourself in the vibrant ecosystem of the Amazon rainforest, encountering piranhas, anacondas, and giant river turtles.
• Caribbean Reef: Enjoy the scenic exhibit to feel the colorful coral reef teeming with tropical fish, sharks, and sea turtles.
• Wild Reef: Experience the thrill of encountering sharks, rays, and other marine predators in a realistic underwater environment.

Adler Planetarium:

• Atwood Sphere: Step inside this historic sphere and experience the night sky as it appeared in 1913.
• Our Solar System: Embark on a journey through our solar system, learning about planets, moons, and asteroids.
• Grainger Sky Theater: Immerse yourself in the wonders of the universe with breathtaking shows projected on a dome ceiling.

Creating Fun Memories on Chicago Museum Campus

Overall, the Chicago Museum Campus offers a unique blend of education, entertainment, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Especially family can easily spend 3 days in Chicago with kids by including these museums on itinerary.

By following this guide, I hope you’ll be able to plan a trip efficiently and be able to save on Chicago museum campus tickets.

Whether you are Chicago local or tourist who has never explore our world famous museum campus, it’s time to pack your curiosity, grab your tickets, and get ready for unforgettable journey through the worlds of science, history, and the cosmos!