The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Category: Museum

In 1857, the Chicago Academy of Sciences became Chicago's first museum. In October 1999, the Museum expanded to become the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and moved to its current home in Lincoln Park on Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive. Today, the Nature Museum is the place where you'll be dazzled by beautiful wildflowers, exotic butterflies will land on your shoulder, youngsters can dress up like animals and go a little wild and your spirit will be lifted in a sun-soaked building surrounded by the trees and wildlife.

The Nature Museum helps urban dwellers to connect to the natural world through scientific learning and environmental programs. The Museum staff advances scientific understanding by bringing outreach education programs to Illinois public schools, hosting science workshops for teachers and offering lectures, field trips, weekend workshops and other special programs for children and adults.

Permanent exhibits include a 28-foot tall butterfly greenhouse, interactive water lab, animal lab, wilderness walk, a hands-on habitat for little ones under 7 years of age, and more.