Chicago: Museums

[hffmnheidi]

I am taking my nephew who's 8 on a Peoria Charter Coach Bus Trip next weekend, July 30th. We can choose either the Science and Industry or the Field Museum. It's costing me 90 for the bus transportation(which is okay because I refuse to drive to Chicago because it makes me crazy) and I don't have to worry about traffic, gas, or getting lost. The bus is going to drop us off and pick us up right at the doors.

The admission is the same at each museum so cost isn't a factor in choosing. I just wonder where he would have the best time. I know the Science Museum has a Coal Mine that would appeal to him, but I'm just not sure.

What are your opinions on the museums? Thanks so much.

 

[VAN]

Both are definitely worth seeing. My personal favorite is the Field Museum for a variety of reasons. I really appreciate the history of the place ... it's just awesome!!

One thing to note, is that Shedd Aquarium is within a short walk of the Field Museum (part of the "Museum Campus"), so you could always do a 1/2 day at each if you wish.

Both are wonderful museums and you wouldn't be sorry regardless of which you chose!

 

[lovesmurfs]

I am taking my nephew who's 8 on a Peoria Charter Coach Bus Trip next weekend, July 30th. We can choose either the Science and Industry or the Field Museum. It's costing me 90 for the bus transportation(which is okay because I refuse to drive to Chicago because it makes me crazy) and I don't have to worry about traffic, gas, or getting lost. The bus is going to drop us off and pick us up right at the doors.

The admission is the same at each museum so cost isn't a factor in choosing. I just wonder where he would have the best time. I know the Science Museum has a Coal Mine that would appeal to him, but I'm just not sure.

What are your opinions on the museums? Thanks so much.

They're both great -- I would think about your DN's interests. Personally, my DS enjoyed the Museum of Science and Industry more than the Field Museum, because he really enjoyed the U-505 sub and the tech stuff. DD likes the Field Museum better, because of the hands-on cultural and rocks / fossils, etc. stuff.

 

[akcire]

I am taking my nephew who's 8 on a Peoria Charter Coach Bus Trip next weekend, July 30th. We can choose either the Science and Industry or the Field Museum. It's costing me 90 for the bus transportation(which is okay because I refuse to drive to Chicago because it makes me crazy) and I don't have to worry about traffic, gas, or getting lost. The bus is going to drop us off and pick us up right at the doors.

The admission is the same at each museum so cost isn't a factor in choosing. I just wonder where he would have the best time. I know the Science Museum has a Coal Mine that would appeal to him, but I'm just not sure.

What are your opinions on the museums? Thanks so much.

If they drop you off at the Field Museum you have more options. Since the Field is right next to the Aquarium and the Planetarium. It is also right on the lakefront and has a cool view of the downtown skyline. The Field is in a heavily used tourist area and very safe.

The Museum of Science and Industy is cool--and full of stuff 8 year old boys would like, cars, trains, a submarine, etc. If you plan to go to the science museum I would plan to spend all of your time in the building. The neighborhood is less desirable, and you can walk to the lake; but it is not a tourist area.

If you know you will only visit the one museum Field or MSI--either is fine and you will be safe inside the buildings. If you think you may wish to venture out a little bit, I would pick the Field.

 

[dislvr74]

I would choose Science and Industry. It is bigger and slightly more interactive. The Field museum is cool if you have a kid that is really into dinosaurs and mummies, but you'll find more variety at Science and Industry. We never see everything at Science and Industry, but can easily do the Field museum in one day.

In addition to the coal mine, Science and Industry has a cool electric train exhibit, a 747, a submarine, some space stuff, an IMAX, and more. Some of the exhibits have an extra admission charge. http://www.msichicago.org/visit-the-museum/museum-info/admission/

 

[FINFAN]

heads up for the Coal Mine, usually a long wait, so get there early, do that first...hmmm, both are cool, you are right along the lake for the Feld, MSI is also across the street from lake but sort of on it's own furhter South, not right "in" the Loop area or on Museum Campus. I think both have the same hours, but man so I wish they stayed open until at least 7 pm...so hard to see everything. I guess I would go with the MSI by a pinch tho, a larger variety of things to see...but not taking anything away from the Field!

 

[ZeroMyHero]

There are more hands-on exhibits at MSI than there are at the Field. Both are fantastic, but I think that MSI is more kid-friendly. As PPs have said, MSI is south on the lake and off by itself, so once you're there you're stuck. At the Field you have the option to walk along the lakeshore, to Buckingham Fountain and even to Millennium Park if you get tired of being indoors.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We love the museum of S & I it has so many hands on activities. Shedd aquarium is in walking distance from either but personally Shedd is so small that it takes only 3 hours to go through the entire thing and M of S & I we have yet to make it through in a single day. Time just goes so fast when we are there...Have fun whatever you decide to do~!

 

[princess momma]

My kids prefer The Field Museum, but they love Sue the dinosaur.

Museum Campus (where The Field Museum is located) is also much more scenic and a great place for a walk.

 

[gregokdisney]

We were just there, and my kids ages 11 and 8 definitely preferred the Field Museum. The Museum of Sci & Ind is okay, but we spent a lot longer at the Field Museum and could have spent even longer. My kids are both obsessed with Ancient Egyptian culture and the Field Museum had a great display, but they also loved Sue, the dinosaur gallery, the gem gallery, and the exhibit about life under the soil.

 

[aladams2]

We were just there as well. Hands down Museum of Science and Industry!! My kids did not want to leave and neither did we. There are so many hands on activities that it occupied them greatly. The Field Museum is OK. The kids just looked at the stuff and kept walking. there were a few exhibits that we (parents) would have loved to take longer reading up on, but they just wanted to keep going. They loved the MSI the absolute best out of all the museums!! And we agree. My kids are 6 and 8.

 

[Anne34]

We were just there as well. Hands down Museum of Science and Industry!! My kids did not want to leave and neither did we. There are so many hands on activities that it occupied them greatly. The Field Museum is OK. The kids just looked at the stuff and kept walking. there were a few exhibits that we (parents) would have loved to take longer reading up on, but they just wanted to keep going. They loved the MSI the absolute best out of all the museums!! And we agree. My kids are 6 and 8.

I agree with this -- my kids love MSI much more than the Field museum. They are just ok with that -- but then again all 3 of mine love the science and hands on stuff with the MSI!!

 

[erincon23]

We love the museum of S & I it has so many hands on activities. Shedd aquarium is in walking distance from either but personally Shedd is so small that it takes only 3 hours to go through the entire thing and M of S & I we have yet to make it through in a single day. Time just goes so fast when we are there...Have fun whatever you decide to do~!

The Shedd is NOT within walking distance of the MSI. Not even close. Just so you're not confused...

If I were you, I'd show your nephew the websites for both and let him pick... They're very different. I was just at the MSI with DS18 and two nieces, 18 and 15, and I think your nephew might be just on the young side at 8 for MSI -- there are a lot of hands-on things, but a lot of stuff to read, a lot of explanation. Where as at the Field, there's more -- OOOH, look at that! And there's a McDonalds. They have a neat exhibit (well, neat the first time you go) where you "shrink" to the size of an earthworm and see what's underground -- that's less lecture-y and more look-at. Does that make sense? Personally, I like the MSI more, but I like to read all the signs, try all the experiments, etc., but I remember my younger kids liking the Field better at that age. And if he gets tired of the museum, like other posters have mentioned, you can walk over to the lake, the aquarium, or the Adler Planetarium.

 

[budbeerlady]

Since this is the budge board here is a coupon link for science and industry: http://www.chicagoofficeoftourism.org/chicagocoupons/museums/museums4.html#msi

We were at science and industry last winter. Very cool! We plan to go back and take Dh for the day. The girls had a great time making their own top and trying to "Drive" the submarine. We only had 3 hours to spend there and didnt see even half of it.

Its been a while since I was at the field museum. I had heard they have a robot dino Sue roaming around but I am not sure if that is all the time or not. The field is nice because you can pop over to Shedd like people have said. (Shedd was about 3 1/2 hours for our visit last month. The 3-d movie was so cute!) You can walk the lake front and do more stuff in the area. There isnt much to do over by Science and Industry besides the museum.

 

[fireworks fan]

Another vote for the Museum of Science and Industry. We just took our kids-7 and 4, last weekend, and had to drag them out of there because the grandparents were ready to go. Its full of interactive exhibits, although there are lots of additional costs to general admission. I highly recommend the submarine tour (extra cost). Both of my kids were very interested in the exhibit, and we spent a lot of time there. The new science storms exhibit was fun too. We could easily have spent the entire day there, and still not see everything. Have fun with whichever you choose!

 

[jacksmomma]

We prefer MSI; as others have said, much more kid friendly and interactive.

That being said, I would go to the Field just to see Sue. (However the room with cases and cases or preserved animals creeps me out! lol)