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Field MuseumvsBrookfield Zoo
Both are recommended by reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, The Field Museum scores significantly higher than Brookfield Zoo. The Field Museum ranks #6 in Chicago with positive reviews from 10 reviews including Travel + Leisure, Time Out and Travel + Leisure.
Field Museum
Fodor's
Concierge
Frommer's
Not For Tourists
Travel + Leisure
Michelin Guide
Where
Time Out Travel + Leisure
Condé Nast Traveler Show All Reviews
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605-2496
From $0/night
Fodor's "More than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space fill this gigantic museum, which explores cultures and environments from around the world." Full review
Concierge "Lions and tigers and bears are the main attraction at this huge natural history museum, filled with interactive exhibits about planet Earth."
Frommer's "Is it any wonder that Steven Spielberg thought the Field Museum of Natural History was a suitable home turf for the intrepid archaeologist and adventurer hero of his Indiana Jones movies?" Full review
Not For Tourists "Go to see Sue, world's largest known T. Rex; stay for the jam-packed halls of vaguely macabre taxidermy."
Travel + Leisure "For orinthology enthusiasts or would-be archeologists, you’ll find your thrills at the massive Field Museum." Full review
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"This world-class natural history institution occupies a suitably grand place at the south end of Grant Park." Full review
i
Dinosaur bones, artifacts from cultures around the world and animal taxidermy have all been incorporated into fun, modern exhibits; don't miss the glittering specimens in the newly opened Grainger Hall of Gems, and be sure to make time for a 3-D movie in the giant-screen theater.
Where "The Field Museum focuses on science, environment and culture and is famously home to Sue, the restored and mounted skeleton of the largest and most complete T. rex ever found." Full review
Time Out "The Chicago Brewseum presents its first exhibition at the Field Museum, exploring the long history of beer in Chicago." Full review
Travel + Leisure "An award-winning museum of natural history, The Field was first built for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago." Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "The Field is a grand shrine to the natural wonders of the world, from dinosaur skeletons to priceless gems.
" Full review
Brookfield Zoo Fodor's Time Out Not For Tourists Michelin Guide
National Geographic Where Travel + Leisure Frommer's
8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
From $0/night
Fodor's "Spend the day among more than 2,000 animals at this gigantic zoo." Full review
i
Be sure to watch the polar bears from the popular underwater viewing area.
Time Out "Set on 216 acres, Brookfield is home to nearly 6,000 animals, including 3,000 invertebrates, representing 436 species." Full review
Not For Tourists "216 acres of creepy critters make for a memorable day trip."
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The zoo's exhibit highlights include Seven Seas with its dolphin presentation, Tropic World's primates, The Fragile Kingdom's African desert and Asian rain forest habitat...and more." Full review
National Geographic "Offering up-close encounters with iconic North American wildlife, including polar bears, Mexican gray wolves, and bald eagles." Full review
i
Tip: Keep your eyes open for 38 poems artistically installed around the exhibit through a variety of media—carved into wood, sandblasted into rock, and even digitally printed on translucent Plexiglas.
Where "This animal kingdom located about 15 miles west of Chicago has a wild array of wonderful creatures." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Animals from all over the world — including wallabies, lions, and dolphins — make their home just west of Chicago at the Brookfield Zoo"
14 of the Best Zoos in the U.S.
April 8, 2022
Frommer's "Brookfield, located in the western suburbs, is enormous, spreading out over 216 acres and housing thousands of animals...indoor and outdoor settings, filled with activities to keep kids interested." Full review
