Author: Carrie Williams & Manasa Reddy

Peggy Notebaert Exhibits

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, located just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo, connects visitors to science and the nature world through a variety of permanent exhibitions there, many interactive and experiential, all educational. Below are just some of the things you can do at the nature museum.

Save the World

Its largest exhibit, the Greening Project, boasts an eco-friendly environment and shows visitors how they too can live “green” lives and help save the planet. The exhibit is outdoors which is perfect for a summer visit!

Explore Nature

The Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is one of the Notebaert's most popular exhibitions. Within, you'll find over a thousand butterflies from all over the world, as well as tropical birds, flowers, and even a waterfall. The Birds of Chicago sanctuary houses nearly 100 species of birds native to the area, ranging in size and shape from the blue jay to the turkey. You'll even be able to see some of the rare, endangered species that the museum is working to preserve.

You can explore the prairie, dune, and savannah right here in the Midwest in the Wilderness Walk. The three environments have been recreated right in the museum, with the animals, plants, and even sounds you'd find there.

Bring the kids in to the Hands-on Habitat where they can climb a tree house, soar down the wiggly worm slide and look at life through the eyes of a bug by using the museum's bug goggles!

Go Behind the Scenes

The Notebaert is involved with research and working to preserve endangered species. You can watch its scientists and volunteers at work through windows in the Istock Family Look-in Animal Lab. See water snake and praying mantis feedings, as well as animal breeding and collection.

and More

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Notebaert holds temporary exhibitions focused on nature, its preservation, and appreciation. Some past exhibits have focused on sculpture depicting the underground life cycles of trees, amphibians, and the relation between man and the machine. You can view the temporary shows currently on exhibit here.

The Notebaert's Programs and Community Partnerships

True to the museum's educational roots, the Notebaert works with local schools and the Chicago Park District, welcoming more than 65,000 students per year. However, you don't have to be a student to find something to do here.

Family, Teen, and Early Childhood Programs

Workshops and information are also provided for individuals and families all over who want to be more eco-friendly. Examples include instructions on how to start your own composting bin and pointers on green cleaning. The museum also organizes regular play groups, early childhood classes, teen camps, and internship programs.

Special Events

Visitors are also invited to join the museum for such events as daily animal feedings, the release of butterflies for the first flight, and more. You can find the schedule of weekly events here. The museum also hosts talks, discussions, and workshops on important environmental issues. Check out the calendar of special events here.

Dining Options

In the Museum

Stop by Notebaert's new Butterfly Café located in the lobby next to the gift shop. The café offers Intelligentsia coffee and healthy goodies from the Sunday Dinner Chicago Catering Company and is open from 9 am-5pm Monday through Friday and 10am- 5pm on weekends.

Vending machines are also available and located in the School Group Lunchroom on Level 2 across from The Extreme Green House exhibit.

Also in the Area

In the mood for something else? Lincoln Park has a wide array of restaurants close to the museum. Take the kids over to Bacino's Pizza for a Chicago staple that is sure to satisfy the taste buds.

Or for a fast paced interactive meal, head to the Flat Top Grill where you can choose from over 80 possible stir-fry selections. You then choose from various colored flags that represent additional ingredients to be added during the cooking process. You choose what you want to eat, and the chefs cook it up exactly the way you want it. What could be better?

Shopping at Notebaert

Visit Notebaert's Nature Museum Shop and check out all kinds of nature-type gifts from plant and garden guide books, living “green” tutorial videos and kids puzzles to butterfly décor for your home or office, as well as exhibit-related products like the Water Saving Garden guide book (Greening Project) or a BusyBugz Pop-Up Book (Hands-on Habitat) for the kids.

General Info

Getting There

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is located at 2430 N. Cannon Drive just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Free street parking is available on both sides of Cannon Drive (check signs for restrictions). A public parking lot is located on Stockton Drive next to the Conservatory.

On the El

Take the Orange line CTA train towards the Loop and exit at Clark & Lake Streets and walk northwest to LaSalle Street to take the #156 CTA bus.

By Bus

The Notebaert Museum is also served by CTA buses #151 and #156 that stop at the southeast corner of Fullerton Parkway and Stockton Drive. Walk north across Fullerton , then east to the main entrance of the Museum on Cannon. The #77 (Belmont) bus stops in front of the Museum during Museum hours, and a free trolley service runs from area CTA stations and parking garages to the museum every Sat.-Sun. and holidays all summer through Labor Day from 10 am-6 pm.

Hours & Admission

Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat & Sun 10am-5pm 

For admission prices and more information, click here.