British Museum London

The British Museum in London is a favourite place for many. The lines can be long during holidays and when special exhibits are featured. It's also a favourite place for school children on a mission to complete their lessons. However, I have always enjoyed my visits and found myself unable to see it all in one day.

The collections are organised in a few ways as you will see on the floor plan available on the website. Because there is so much to see, it is best to plan a visit. The exhibits are organised by parts of the world and by time period. Examples include The Americas, Africa, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, and Europe. There are also themed collections such as Enlightenment and Living and Dying.

Exhibits from the ancient world are incredible.

Jehu pays tribute

Rosetta Stone

The Sutton Hoo Treasure is an amazing find ( I suppose I'm not related).

Travel notes

Location: Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG

Transportation: Several underground stations are nearby e.g., Russell Square and Holborn. Many busses stop nearby.

Security: There is a bag search and large luggage is not permitted- storage is available at nearby stations like Euston and Kings Cross

Food: There is food service in the Museum

Admission: Free general admission. Some exhibitions must be booked in advance-see the website

Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.

Mind the Gap on AMAZON  and  GOOGLE

Field Museum Chicago Illinois

The Field Museum in Chicago has a fantastic collection of artifacts and specimens from all over the world. Most on display focus on natural history and include those massive dinosaurs that capture so much attention. They have a fine collection of contemporary animals, plants, and geological specimens as well. Standard and special exhibits help us explore other cultures.

Sue, the T-Rex is clearly a main attraction and comes with an interesting story of discovery. There's also a multisensory film, which I enjoyed.

Although there is a fine museum (Wonders of the Wildlife) in my hometown, the animal collection at the Field Museum is brilliant.

I was a bit disappointed in the limited displays portraying human origins. I think the Smithsonian is much better.

Location: The Field Museum is located near Lake Michigan on the Museum Campus. I stayed at a hotel on Michigan avenue within walking distance. Look for the Dino outside.

Admission: It's expensive for those of us from out-of-state. I bought a City Pass to save on costs at five attractions. Some exhibits or events cost extra. Check the website for details.

Crowds: It did not take long after opening for lots of groups of children to arrive. They did take up most places in the lunch rooms at midday. They seemed mostly happy and although noisy, they were not unruly. On the day I was there, many of them seemed to leave by early afternoon. They also seemed to focus on the popular exhibits like the dinosaurs.

Hours: Open daily 9-5 except Christmas, but check the website for the latest.

Food: I was allowed to bring my own lunch and eat in designated areas downstairs. There are places to purchase lunches and snacks.

Friendliness: All the staff I spoke to were friendly.

Maps: A map of the museum is online and paper copies are available to visitors. I still needed directions to the 3D movie, which was off in a distant part of the museum.

Accessibility: See the website for details.

Website: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/visit

A couple more photos.

St Louis Art Museum

St Louis Art Museum Photo Geoff W Sutton 8 July 2016

The St Louis Art Museum is worth a visit if you have even a few extra hours in St Louis. It is conveniently located in Forest Park nearby other places of interest. I would rate this 9 of 10 stars for a pleasant, educational, affordable art Museum experience.

 Admission is free. Check for the most recent hours. Recently, hours were limited to 10-5 most days, later on Friday and closed Mondays. Parking is free in some lots and at a cost in the garage.

The collection includes more than 30,000 works. You can see a few thousand online (www.slam.org).

There are works and activities of interest for children on up. The Museum shops contain some inexpensive , some unique, and of course some expensive items. As with most places I found the cost of dining rather expensive compared to what is available in the community. But you can take a lunch. There are plenty of picnic tables outside.

The museum hosts special events and you can arrange group tours. As with most places, check online for the latest information.

You will find a diverse collection of objects from many parts of the world as well as local works.

The collection includes examples of art spanning thousands of years.

Bull's Head 2600-2450 BCE, Sumerian Photo by Geoff W. Sutton

Acts of  Nebuchadnezzar II, 604-562 BCE

Roman cremation urn c 1st-2nd Century

English, View in Suffolk, Gainsborough, c1755

European Paintings & Sculpture

Italian, Interior St Peter's, Panini, 1731

French, St. John the Baptist, Rodin, 1878

There are several dioramas including rooms in Early American homes, 

which include furniture, fabrics and paintings.

Native American





The African collection includes objects from various parts of the continent.

Birthing Couple, Mali

My ratings 1-10 and 10 is the best.

Overall = 9
Parking = 8 (free nearby; $$ onsite)
Admission fee = 10 (free!)
Appearance =  9
Grounds = 7 (nice, not exceptional)
Friendliness of staff = 9
Cleanliness of toilets = 9
Cost of dining = 7

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