Terms & Conditions

COVID-19

Please click here to view our complete list of COVID-19 FAQs, safety precautions, and protocols.

Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public space where people are present. The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (the “Museum”) has implemented enhanced health and safety measures, but we cannot guarantee that a visitor will not contract COVID-19 while on Museum premises. You should evaluate your risk in determining whether to visit the Museum. By entering the Museum you are voluntarily agreeing to assume all risks related to COVID-19 exposure and to follow any Museum policies and protocols while in the Museum, as well as any local and CDC-recommended quarantine guidelines and requirements. Please help us keep everyone safe. You may be asked to leave the Museum with no refund if you do not follow the Museum’s policies and protocols.

Events

Ticket purchases for special events and programs are final sale and are not eligible for refund. Please reach out to programs@naturemuseum.org with any questions.

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. Click here for information about available accommodations, general resources, and more information on making a request.

Conduct

Please refrain from running, screaming, or generally disruptive behavior. We ask you to respect our exhibits and facilities as well as the experience of other guests. Courteous, respectful behavior is expected of all guests to ensure an informative and meaningful experience at the Museum. Please follow all posted signage and the instructions of Nature Museum staff and contractors. You may be asked to leave the Museum with no refund if you do not follow the Museum’s policies and protocols.

Prohibited behavior

Engaging in the following behaviors may result in your removal from the Museum with no refund. Violations perceived as criminal will be reported to local authorities.

• Offensive, abusive or threatening language or behavior towards other guests and/or Museum staff, interns, volunteers, or contractors
• Fighting, provoking a fight, or engaging in disorderly conduct
• Tampering with, defacing, damaging, destroying and/or removing any Museum property including exhibits and collections items
• Wearing or otherwise displaying profane, obscene or injurious language, texts or graphics on clothing or elsewhere on the person
• Repeated removal of or refusal to wear required face coverings or to follow other COVID-19 related safety measures
• Unauthorized distribution of pamphlets or any other literature as well as any other kinds of solicitation
• Intentionally interfering with or preventing the execution of duties by Museum staff, interns, volunteers or contractors
• Loitering, gambling, selling or campaigning
• Possession, use and/or selling of illegal drugs
• Possession of alcoholic beverages not sold on our premises
• Indecent exposure, sexual acts or behavior
• Smoking (including e-cigarettes) inside the Museum and within 15 feet of the entrances
• Eating and/or drinking in exhibits and other designated prohibited areas
• Bringing any prohibited items into the Museum (listed below)
• Unscheduled birthday parties; to host a birthday party at the Museum, you must schedule it with our private events team by clicking here
• Any other behavior determined by Museum staff to threaten the safety of Museum guests, staff, interns, volunteers, contractors and/or its property

Prohibited items

• Firearms (law enforcement and on-duty security personnel excepted)
• Weapons, including knives, pepper spray and stun guns/tasers
• Hazardous materials of any kind
• Explosives, including fireworks
• Any other items deemed by Museum staff or contractors to be dangerous or inappropriate in a public setting

Adult supervision

Minor children should not be left unattended. All guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while visiting the Museum, without exception, and will not be admitted without adult accompaniment.

Attire

Shoes and shirts are required for all guests visiting the Museum. Individuals must remain fully clothed for the remainder of their visit.

Photography and video

Photography is allowed for personal, non-commercial use, but keep an eye out for signage indicating specific objects or areas that cannot be photographed. Look for selfie stands and prompts throughout the Museum, but please be courteous to other visitors. Show us your best pictures by tagging @NatureMuseum on Instagram.

Museum photographers may be on site to capture special events, daily programming, and more. Please be aware that by entering the Museum you consent to your voice, name and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in any and all media, and you release the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum from any liability whatsoever of any nature. If you do not wish to be subject to the foregoing, please notify the front desk as you check in.

Assumption of risk, waiver & limitation of liability

By entering the Museum, you agree, on behalf of yourself and any minor children accompanying you, to voluntarily assume all risk, including, without limitation, the risk of personal injury (including death) or illness, the risk of exposure to communicable diseases including COVID-19, or the risk of lost, stolen or damaged property, arising from or related to your entry into the Museum and participation in any activities on Museum property. In addition, you agree that the Museum and its members, officers, directors, sponsors, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, “Releasees”) shall not be responsible or liable for any claim, loss, damage or injury (“Claims”), regardless of whether caused by the negligence or other fault of Releasees or any third party. You forever release, waive, discharge and agree not to sue the Releasees for any Claim. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws, none of the Releasees are or will be responsible or liable to you or to any third party for, and you expressly waive all rights to seek, any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or other damages under any theory of liability, arising out of or relating in any way to your visit to the Museum.

Additional policies

The Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum reserves the right to add, withdraw or otherwise modify these terms and other policies as it deems in its best interests to do so.