Children's Museums
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
📍 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614🕐 Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–4 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–4 PM |
About Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Environment-focused kid-friendly museum. Environmental museum with outdoor walkways for observing local wildlife & kid-friendly exhibits. The museum features a butterfly sanctuary with a separate admission fee that visitors consistently highlight as a major attraction, with daily butterfly releases at 2pm. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,253 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Best For
- All ages
- History
- Over 167 years of connecting people to nature and science
- Highlights
- Live animals, immersive exhibits, conservation research
- Hours
- 10am-4pm
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum features a butterfly sanctuary with a separate admission fee that visitors consistently highlight as a major attraction, with daily butterfly releases at 2pm
- The museum has interactive water play areas including an ecosystem/irrigation exhibit and a floodplain/dam/city interactive water play installation that are particularly popular with young visitors
- The museum features a digital art-tech hybrid interactive exhibit where visitors can color butterflies on paper, digitally scan their artwork, and see their butterflies come to life on a wall display
- The museum operates a rotating gallery on the 2nd floor that changes every few months with varying themes including play-oriented exhibits, live animal exhibitions, and art galleries
💬 What Visitors Say
- Don't miss the butterfly sanctuary on level 2 - it's the museum's standout exhibit with multiple species and even birds. Note there's a separate admission fee beyond general museum admission.
- Visit during winter months to fully appreciate the butterfly garden, as it provides a warm, outdoor-like experience when weather is cold outside.
- Plan 2-3 hours minimum to experience all three levels including interactive water play areas, reptile exhibits, rotating gallery shows, and the butterfly sanctuary. The museum is compact but densely packed with exhibits.
- Family membership pays for itself quickly if visiting monthly - multiple reviews from regular visitors confirm it's worthwhile for families with young children who want to return frequently.
- Arrive around 2pm to catch the daily butterfly releases in the sanctuary, a highlight experience that creates memorable moments for kids.
Other Children's Museums in Chicago
More Family Fun Nearby
Other venues within driving distance:
Own this venue? Stand out from the competition.
Children's Museums listings that are Featured get seen first by thousands of families every month.
- Priority placement in search
- Photo gallery showcase
- Insider tips from visitors
- Highlighted in dedicated featured section