Plan Your Visit

Groups of 10 or more people receive discounted admission to the museum when registering at least two weeks in advance. Click here to register your group or learn more about group visits here. If you’re interested in hosting your child’s birthday party at the museum, please click here for more information. Please note, unscheduled birthday parties are prohibited.

We are pleased to offer weekly Free Days—every Thursday the museum is open—for Illinois residents. Illinois residents can enjoy free admission during these Illinois Resident Days, or support us with a $10 suggested household donation at the time of admission. Illinois residents can reserve their free tickets online or in person.

Free Illinois Resident Day tickets apply to individual tickets only, and are not available for group visit registrations. Please click here for more information about group visits.

We are also happy to offer discounted admission to Illinois teachers, active military members, and more. Please note, some of these may not currently be available via our online ticketing system, but can still be redeemed in person at the admissions desk at the time of check in. Read on for details.

• Illinois Teachers: Illinois teachers who display their school ID during check-in will receive free admission for themselves. Teachers visiting as part of a field trip are charged a group rate or admitted for free based on the attendance policies of their registered trip.
• Blue Star Families: Active-duty service members with ID and their families can enjoy free admission year-round. Click here for additional details. Veterans and retired service members with ID can also enjoy free admission year-round.
• Museums for All: We are pleased to offer a discounted admission fee of $1 to individuals and families presenting an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card, WIC Card, or other government assisted food program card. Museum visitors who display their card and a valid form of identification will receive a discounted admission rate of $1 per person, for up to six people in their party. Infants 12 months and under are free. This admission rate is available during all normal operating hours.
• ASTC Passport Program: If you are a member of a science center or museum participating in the ASTC Passport Program, you are eligible for benefits such as free general admission when you travel outside of your local area. Click here for a full list of details, participating institutions, and restrictions.
• Regional Museum Reciprocal Admission: We’ve partnered with local and regional institutions to offer free or discounted admission to their members. Reach out for details.
• Explore More Illinois/Chicago Public Library Digital Pass: In collaboration with Reaching Across Illinois Library System/Explore More Illinois and the Chicago Public Library, library cardholders may access a virtual pass good for free on-site admission for two people. Please note, guests may only use this pass up to four times per year. For more information, please visit the Explore More Illinois website or the Chicago Public Library website.
• Group Visits: Groups of 10 or more people receive discounted admission to the museum when registering at least two weeks in advance. Click here to register your group.

COAT CHECK

Coat check is available for $1 per item. Guests may also check a stroller in coat check.

NURSING

Mothers are welcome to nurse wherever they are comfortable within the building. Our private Quiet/Lactation Room is also available upon request.

STAIRS/ELEVATORS

All exhibits and levels are accessible to wheelchair-users and visitors who need to avoid stairs. Our passenger elevator is wheelchair, walker, and stroller accessible.

STROLLERS

A limited number of strollers are available for $4 upon request with a picture ID. Strollers are allowed everywhere in the Museum except for the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Stroller parking is available near the Butterfly Haven entrance.

RESTROOMS

All restrooms on all levels are stroller and wheelchair accessible. Restrooms equipped with child changing tables are located on all three levels. All-gender, single-occupancy restrooms are located on all three levels. Gendered, multi-stall restrooms are located on the first and second level.

We strive to provide an accessible museum experience for all guests. Read on for information about available accommodations, general resources, and more information on making a request.

ACCESSIBILITY

We encourage guests to take photos during their visit for personal, private use. Please note, animals in the living collections, as well as objects from the preserved collections and archives, are sensitive to light. Flash photography and photography equipment is prohibited. 

Visitors are welcome to take professional photos (i.e. weddings, graduations, family photos) on Museum premises with a permit fee of $150. General admission must also be purchased for the day. Tripods and other pieces of large photography equipment are not permitted in exhibit spaces. Guests who have private room rentals may take professional photos at no extra charge. 

Click the button below to learn more.

FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY

The Museum Store is open 10am-4pm every day the Nature Museum building is open. In addition to gifts, apparel, and books. Limited snack options are also available for purchase.

Guests can also shop our online store and choose to have their purchases shipped to them or available for pick up at the Nature Museum from 10am to 3pm. Click here to browse our online store.

Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is located just off Fullerton Parkway on Cannon Drive, and is accessible via several public transit routes as well as biking and walking paths.

DIRECTIONS VIA GOOGLE MAPS

Parking

The Nature Museum does not have a dedicated parking lot; however, limited free street parking is available on Cannon and Stockton Drive. A flat-rate lot maintained by the Chicago Park District is located at 2431 N. Cannon Drive. To learn more about lot rates, please click here.

A limited number of wheelchair accessible parking spots are located near the front entrance on Cannon Drive. If you are driving and would like to drop off a passenger, you may use the bus turnaround near our front entrance.

CTA

The Nature Museum is accessible by CTA bus routes #76, #151, and #156.

Divvy Bike Program

Divvy is Chicago’s bike sharing system with thousands of bikes and hundreds of stations across the city. Intended to provide Chicagoans and visitors with an additional transportation option for getting around the city. The closest Divvy Bike station is located in front of the Nature Museum on Cannon Drive just north of Fullerton Parkway. For more information and pricing, please visit www.divvybikes.com.

Don't forget, coat check is located in the lobby and is available for $1 per item. Guests may check strollers, bags, coats, and other items that they don't want to carry during their museum visit.