We want everyone to have a great time at the museum, so we strive to make our programs, exhibitions, and facilities accessible for everyone by removing barriers, delivering a welcoming and relevant experience, and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Health and Safety
In accordance with the City of Chicago’s updated guidelines, the Field Museum no longer requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or masks for museum visitors. However, we strongly encourage all of our guests to wear masks while in the building.
Some exceptions may apply for museum events. If you have registered for an event, your event organizer will communicate any specific requirements.
Learn more about health and safety at the Field.
Tickets
To ensure you can visit at your desired date and time, we recommend purchasing tickets online in advance. Please arrive at the entry time indicated on your ticket. Tickets are also available for purchase onsite until we reach our daily capacity.
Find additional information about tickets and other tips to for visiting.
Mobility
Field Museum protection services officers and visitor services associates are here to help when you arrive and throughout your visit. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance during your time at the museum.
Getting to the Field
Parking
Accessible paid parking is available in the adjacent East Museum Lot on a first-come, first-served basis. If this lot is full, additional accessible parking spots may be available in the Soldier Field Parking garage.
Public transit
Pace Suburban Bus may offer prearranged paratransit services in your area. Visit Pace’s Chicago ADA Service website for more information.
Drop-off area
There is a passenger drop-off area on the East side of the museum. Enter the road near the East parking lot entrance booth.
Wheelchairs
We do have wheelchairs available for use at either of our entrance doors (our South entrance on the main level which faces Soldier Field and our East entrance on the ground level which faces Shedd Aquarium, this is our accessible entrance).
All wheelchairs are thoroughly sanitized between uses.
Strollers
If you’re visiting with a stroller, we suggest arriving at our accessible East Entrance.
Strollers are allowed everywhere except ticketed special exhibitions, where stroller parking is available near the exhibition entrance. This requirement is not applicable for accessibility instances.
Elevators
There are two elevators that access all three public levels of the museum, located on the east and west sides of the main hall. When you enter through the East entrance, proceed down the hall to find an elevator on the left near the entrance to Underground Adventure.
Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are available on every level, as well as an all-gender, single-stall restroom on the ground level near the West entrance. The restroom at the East entrance has a family restroom with an adult changing table.
There is also a first aid room on the ground level available for private use. Please see a security officer for access to the first aid room.
Tours
Guided tours are available daily, and at no extra cost. Visit the information desk for details. Schedule is subject to change based on volunteer availability.
Sensory friendly
Field for All app
Our free mobile app helps families and groups—including visitors with autism and disabilities—plan their visit with resources like exhibition previews, customizable schedules, and a sensory-friendly museum map.
Download the iOS or Android app for free.
Sensory Bags
We understand that the Museum can be overwhelming for some and if your visit would be better accommodated with the use of a sensory bag, feel free to visit our Visitor Center on the ground floor. These include various fidgets, sunglasses, headphones, and emotion cards we hope may better the Museum experience.
Additional assistance
Personal care assistants
A paid personal care assistant (PCA) accompanying a visitor with a severe disability receives free admission. Upon request at the ticket counter, the PCA receives the same admission pass that the visitor purchases. If the visitor is a member, the PCA receives free admission but does not count as one of the member’s guests.
Service animals
We allow trained service animals in all public areas of the museum. For more information, please read our Service Animals Policy.
Other accommodations
We have an Auditory and Tactile guide available in our Visitor Center on the ground level of the Museum to show what touch, sound, and smell interactive we have throughout the museum, attached is a digital file of this guide. Please note that the Museum is constantly attempting to better itself therefore some objects may be unavailable due to construction.
We are dedicated to working to accommodate all visitors with disabilities and provide the best possible museum experience. At times, certain alterations may not be possible. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not require the museum to take any action that fundamentally alters the nature of our programs or services, or imposes undue financial or administrative burden.
If you need an aide, extra service, or a modification to museum policies or procedures, please contact the museum at least 48 hours before your visit.
Grievance procedure
Our staff receive ongoing training and information about interacting with visitors with disabilities, and we strive to create the best possible experience for all visitors.
To address concerns about your museum experience, please follow the ADA grievance procedure. This information is also available in Chinese, French, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Additionally, we strive to make our services, programs, and activities accessible to visitors with limited English proficiency (LEP). To address concerns related to language assistance, please follow the LEP grievance procedure. This information is also available in Chinese, French, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.