One of the greatest historical museums in the World, the Field Museum is a must for any tourist to pass through Chicago. It houses several galleries of exhibits, some limited exclusives. Millions of authentic and original artifacts you may see here within this Greco-Roman style museum. There is something for everyone, from rooms filled with priceless gems and precious stones set on black velvet to adventures through Egypt, complete with real cased mummies and carefully preserved papyrus. It will take weeks to make a thorough tour.
What struck me on first entering was the peculiar smell. This enormous building, because it has held so many artifacts from the past, has taken on an ancient aroma to add to its beautiful atmosphere. There was never a moment when this place didn't surprise me in its authenticity.
The exclusives in 2002 were exhibits on the history of pearls and chocolate. Millions of pearls, from a queen's crown and scepter to the crude, unprocessed thing itself lined the walls. Going back to Moctezuma's Mexico to experience the chocolate of then was fascinating. I remember a model cacao tree inside, this being my chief interest as a chocoholic.
Because I am an artist, I particularly loved the stuffed animal gallery, the "Nature Walk". This is a HUGE gallery filled with exotics around the world. Everything to an artists and animal lovers heart is in here.
Exhibits on culture, science, history can all be found in the Field.