The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is an environmental and natural history museum located in Chicago‘s Lincoln Park. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in March 2026 to reflect the latest pricing structure, noting the recent introduction of a separate $5 add-on ticket for non-members wishing to enter the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven.
Quick facts about the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
| Quick facts | Details |
| Opening hours | Monday to Sunday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm |
| Ticket prices | Adults $15–$17, Children (1–12) $8–$10 (plus $5 Butterfly Haven add-on) |
| Address | 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Chicago Park District lot at 2431 North Cannon Drive; CTA Bus 151 |
| Typical time needed to visit | 2 hours |
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum opening hours
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is open seven days a week from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm throughout the year. Museum members receive early access starting at 9:00 am on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Seasonal variations to these core hours are minimal, but the building closes entirely on 1 May, 26 November, and 25 December.
Five great things to do in Chicago
- 🏙️ Marvel at the skyscrapers – on a Chicago River architecture cruise.
- 🖼️ Take an interiors architecture tour – to see stunning glass art and mosaics.
- 🍕 Taste Chicago’s favourite dishes – on a city favourites food tour.
- 🌆 Visit the Willis Tower observation deck – and see the city from above.
- 🕵️ Discover Chicago’s gangster heritage – on a crime and mob tour.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum ticket prices
Basic admission costs $15 for Illinois resident adults ($17 for out-of-state), $10 for resident seniors and students ($12 out-of-state), and $8 for resident children aged 1 to 12 ($10 out-of-state). Infants aged under 12 months enter for free. As of February 2026, access to the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven requires an additional $5 add-on ticket for all non-members. All admission transactions are subject to an additional 10% service fee.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is not included in any city pass scheme (such as Go City or CityPass). If you are using multi-attraction passes for other regional highlights like the Field Museum, Skydeck Chicago, or the Shedd Aquarium, you will need to purchase a separate admission ticket for this museum.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
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- ⛴️ Architecture River Cruise: Experience Chicago’s world-renowned skyline from the water on a Shoreline Sightseeing cruise, one of the city’s most popular activities.
- 🦕 World-Class Museums: Choose from premier institutions like the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Adler Planetarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
- 💰 Save up to 40%: Pay one flat price for your choice of 2 to 7 attractions and enjoy significant savings compared to purchasing individual tickets at each gate.
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How to get to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The museum is located in the heart of Lincoln Park, situated just north of Fullerton Parkway. For public transport users, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates bus routes 76, 151, and 156, which all stop within a short walk of the main entrance.
Visitors utilizing the city’s Divvy bike-sharing network will find a docking station conveniently located directly in front of the building on Cannon Drive.
Why book the Big Bus Chicago Hop-On Hop-Off Tour?
- 🚌 Unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off: Explore the Windy City at your own pace with a pass that allows you to join and rejoin the tour at any of the 11+ strategically located stops.
- 🏙️ Iconic Chicago Sightseeing: See the city’s most famous landmarks, including the Navy Pier, Skydeck Chicago (Willis Tower), the Magnificent Mile, and Millennium Park.
- 🎧 Informative Audio Commentary: Learn about Chicago’s rich history, world-class architecture, and vibrant culture through entertaining narration available in multiple languages.
- 📸 Unobstructed Top-Deck Views: Ride on an open-top, double-decker bus to capture perfect photos of the city’s towering skyscrapers and the beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline.
- ⏱️ Flexible Ticket Options: Choose a 24, 48, or 72-hour pass to perfectly fit your travel itinerary, with the freedom to spend as much time as you like at each attraction.
Parking at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The museum does not own a dedicated parking lot, but limited free street parking is available along Cannon Drive and Stockton Drive.
For guaranteed parking, a flat-rate paid surface lot maintained by the Chicago Park District is located directly across the street at 2431 North Cannon Drive. A limited number of accessible parking bays are available near the museum’s front entrance, which also features a convenient bus and passenger drop-off turnaround.
How long to spend at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Most visitors require approximately two hours to fully explore the attraction. This provides sufficient time to walk through the indoor exhibits, experience the live butterfly greenhouse, and explore the outdoor nature trails.
Accessibility at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The facility is fully wheelchair accessible, with a public passenger lift connecting all exhibition levels. All restrooms are wheelchair and pushchair accessible, and a private quiet room is available upon request for nursing mothers or those needing sensory relief.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs and pushchairs are available to rent for $4 at the front desk, requiring a photo ID deposit. Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility can utilize the accessible drop-off zone directly outside the main entrance on Cannon Drive.
Inside / what to see at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Judy Istock Butterfly Haven is the museum’s signature attraction, featuring a 2,700-square-foot tropical greenhouse. Visitors can walk among more than 1,000 free-flying butterflies and several bird species in a climate-controlled environment.
The Hawver and Lacy Families Nature’s PlaySpace offers an interactive area specifically designed for toddlers and younger children. This zone connects early learners to environmental concepts through hands-on water and building activities.
RiverWorks allows visitors to splash and experiment with water flow, demonstrating the complexities of natural and manmade river systems. Meanwhile, the Mysteries of the Marsh exhibit highlights the ecological importance of regional wetlands and the endangered species that inhabit them.
Outdoors, the Deb Lahey Nature Trails provide a one-third-mile walking route through restored native Illinois habitats. The adjacent Micole Birdwalk offers an elevated vantage point overlooking North Pond and the downtown Chicago skyline.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive at 10:00 am to enjoy the Butterfly Haven before the peak afternoon crowds accumulate. |
| Crowds | Weekday mornings frequently host large school groups, so independent visitors may prefer weekday afternoons. |
| Layout | The facility includes both indoor galleries and outdoor trails, so dress appropriately for the weather. |
| Entry process | Admission can be purchased at the front desk, but booking online in advance saves time on arrival. |
| On-site logistics | Pushchairs are permitted throughout most of the museum but are strictly prohibited inside the Butterfly Haven greenhouse. |
Frequently asked questions about the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum suitable for children? | Yes, the museum is highly family-focused and features dedicated early-learning areas like Nature’s PlaySpace. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum? | Advance booking is not mandatory; visitors can purchase general admission tickets in person at the front desk. |
| Is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the standard Sunday opening hours are from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. |
| Are bags allowed at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum? | Standard bags are allowed, and a cloakroom is available in the lobby to store heavy coats and luggage for $1 per item. |
Things to do near Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Lincoln Park Zoo: A historic, free-admission wildlife park located just south of the museum.
- Lincoln Park Conservatory: A Victorian-era glasshouse displaying tropical palms, ferns, and seasonal flowers.
- Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool: A hidden, landscaped water garden designed in the Prairie School architectural style.
- Chicago History Museum: An institution detailing the cultural and economic development of the city and region.
- North Avenue Beach: A popular stretch of sandy shoreline along Lake Michigan, accessible via the Lakefront Trail.
More Chicago travel
Other Chicago travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Experiencing different pizza styles in Chicago’s West Loop.
- A guide to Chicago’s best neighbourhoods for visitors.
- What to expect when visiting the Chicago Architecture Center.
- Practical guide to visiting the Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier.
- Meet the room service robots at Hotel EMC2 in Chicago.
