Museum closed today due to inclement weather 

Due to extreme weather, the Museum is closed today. We plan to reopen to the public on Saturday, January 24th.

Museum closed tomorrow due to inclement weather

Due to the forecast of extreme cold, the Museum will be closed on Friday, January 23rd. We plan to reopen to the public on Saturday, January 24th.

Bears Game 1/18/26

Directions & Parking

Soldier Field is hosting a Chicago Bears game on Sunday, January 18 at 5:30pm. Parking on the Museum campus will not be available to Museum visitors. Public transportation is highly recommended. Parking is available off Museum Campus at McCormick Place or Millennium Park garages.

Christmas closure 2025

The Museum will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Thursday, December 25. We will re-open Friday, December 26 at 9am.

Mammals Visits

Mammals

Due to heightened risks of losing specimens/shipments due to increased holiday shipping volume and the need to provide a break to staff to focus on internal priorities before the start of the new year, the FMNH Mammal Collection will not be sending or receiving loans through January 9, 2026 or hosting visitors December 15 - January 9.

Amphs & Repts

Amphibians & Reptiles - Loans and Collection Visits

Amphibians and Reptiles Collections have a loan moratorium until January 2026. Please contact us again on/after February 1, 2026.

Thanksgiving closure 2025

The Museum will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 27. We will re-open Friday, November 28 at 9am.

Explore cultures present and past, find the latest scientific discoveries, and travel the world right here in Chicago.

Tadarida

Common Name: Free-tailed Bat [English]