Visiting Sue
 

If you have visited Sue at her new home in Chicago, at the Field Museum, please tell me about it. Large crowds? What is the name of a convenient place to stay overnight, something less costly than the Palmer House? <BR>

You mean the T-Rex skeleton??

Went to see "Sue" lat Friday (June 16th) <BR>Advise getting there as doors open or at noon- we had no wait at all !! They do have one weekday either free or reduced rates but probably lots of people. . We Stayed at Days Inn LakeShore at $ 139 for 2 people(had reservations weeks in advance with AAA discount.) It is across from Navy Pier where got "water taxi" directly to Fields and Shedd Aquarium. Chicago Trolly also goes there and does pick up from downtown locations.Great exhibit-includes walk through explanation of how they reconstructed Sue. <BR>I know you will enjoy the exhibit. <BR>P.S. we also stayed at Days Inn Gold Coast-$109 (weekday) which is across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo --free. Bus #151 goes directly downtown where you can transfere to get to Fields.

Thanks. That is the info I was looking for. I took the web visit, but there is no substitute for seeing "Sue" in the no flesh. I understand that the skull is separate because of the weight, and that what is actually mounted is a replia made from lighter weight material.

We just saw Sue on Saturday. We arrived at the museum about 10 a.m. and had only a short wait in line for tickets (10 minutes). By noon, the line was very long. Probably a good 45 minute wait. You are right that the mounted head is a replica. The real head is displayed on the second floor, and was most interesting to me. Again we had next to no wait to see the head, but by noon the line was forming, and they were only letting in a group at a time to the "head display" because the room is not that large. With all of the interactive displays, videos, paleontologists working behind glass, you could spend much of a day just looking at Sue and her related exhibits. I'm not that interested in this type of thing, but have to admit that this was impressive. And what a deal. $8 for adults for museum admission. Have a great time.

We just got back from a weekend in Chicago and are definitely going to see Sue on our next visit (which hopefully is very soon!) The Field Museum looks absolutely beautiful from the outside. From what I saw, the Chicago Hilton was very, very convenient to the museum...however, if your plans are firm I'd recommend trying Priceline...we stayed in a 4 star Michigan Ave. area property (Hyatt Regency) for $100 a night. And I've heard that you can get it for even less. Have a great time, this weekend was my first time in Chicago and I have to say, it's a fabulous city!

Bob, <BR>Sue is incredible. It has really become a "must-see" for people visiting Chicago. The lines have tended to be longer to get into the museum, but there is no line, per se, to see Sue. She is located on the first floor rotunda area. People tend to crowd around her and then move on. There are docents stationed near her to give visitors more information. Wednesday is the musuem's free admissions day. I would suggest that you get there early. Or better yet, when you get there, go upstairs to see the real head first (you're correct that the real head was too heavy to mount on the skeleton and is encased in glass on the second floor). You get a great perspective of Sue from the higher angle and you avoid all the people crowding around her. I hope you enjoy it.

Can anyone clearify for me if this Sue is a permanant exhibit in Chicago? I just got a notice from the Boston Museum of Science saying they're having a special Sue exhibit starting at the end of July. Does Sue travel, or is this one (in Boston) a copy? I'd like to know so I don't waste my time in Chicago when I'm a Boston MOS member! Thanks.