Accessibility
At the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, we believe that nature and science should be available to everyone. 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.
Plan Your Visit
Parking and Transportation
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. The Nature Museum is also located near several CTA stops. More information can be found on the Directions page.
Entry
All guests should enter through the front entrance located on Cannon Drive. The entrance is wheelchair accessible and is equipped with activation push buttons.
Personal Care Partners
Visitors with severe disabilities may be accompanied by paid personal care partners at no additional cost during their visit to the Nature Museum. This applies to all ticketed events, admission, and special events that the visitor is attending. This also applies to membership, complimentary admission, and group sales.
General Resources
American Sign Language Interpreters
American Sign Language interpreters can be arranged at no additional charge for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. We request two weeks’ notice to make arrangements. To request this service, please contact us by emailing access@naturemuseum.org.
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices may be arranged at no additional charge for guests who are hard of hearing. We request two weeks’ notice to make arrangements. To request this service, please contact us by emailing access@naturemuseum.org.
Accessible 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 levels one and two. There is also a single-occupancy family restroom located on level one in the Nature’s PlaySpace exhibit.
All-gender restrooms are available for anyone who prefers a single-occupancy restroom including individuals, guardians and children, and guests that require assistance from a personal care partner.
Wheelchairs
If a guest would like to request a wheelchair, a limited number of wheelchairs are available to rent for no charge. We simply ask that a photo ID be left at the front desk upon rental.
Service Animals
Service animals—animals who have been individually trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities—are always welcome at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Nature Museum is home to many animals. We also bring in guest animals for special events and programming. For the health and safety of your animal and ours, service animals may be restricted from certain areas of the Museum.
For the health and safety of your animal and ours, emotional support/comfort/therapy animals and pets are not permitted within the Nature Museum.
Sensory Friendly Nature Museum App
You can also download our Sensory Friendly Nature Museum app to use before, during, or after your visit. This app has social guides for all exhibits, a customizable schedule, communication icons, a sensory map, and tips for your visit. You can download the app for Android and Apple devices.
Social Guides
Designed for visitors on the Autism Spectrum and with sensory processing disorders, our Social Guides are appropriate resources for visitors of all ages who are curious about what to expect from a typical visit to the Nature Museum. Choose from the Social Guides below to find the best fit for your needs.
Sensory Kits
Sensory Kits are available for check out at coat check. Guests may rent them for no charge during their visit. They contain a variety of items to assist guests with sensory processing challenges. We ask that a photo ID be left at the front desk upon rental.
Outdoor Maps
Our outdoor Deb Lahey Nature Trails are open year-round. An accessible map of the outdoor grounds may be downloaded from here, or checked out from the front desk.
Amenities
Elevators/Stairs
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.
Quiet/Lactation Room
The Quiet/Lactation Room is located on level two and is available for anyone in the Museum. This room is intended to be used for nursing, pumping, first aid, or as a quiet, calming space for someone to reduce sensory overload. To use this space simply ask a Guest Experience staff member at the front desk.
Experience nature and science up close with a trip to the Nature Museum.