Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

"Brought my 3 1/2 year old. Wanting to come for a time now but been going instead to the Lincoln zoo or other Nature centers. We loved the water play and the Playground for toddlers/babies the most. The butterfly area was also great but by the thought of reading the website I mistakenly assumed it to be a huge conservatory filled with butterflies. It is somewhat small especially when there are crowds . 4 stars bec 1. Parking like most of Chicago museums is challenging, most street parking are almost non existent especially when your close to 10-11ish time. We had opportunity to park at the Lincoln zoo barn area but it will be a walk especially when weather is not good,. I am aware there are 2-3 pay parking lots close to the museum. 2. There were 2 events that occupied the possible eating areas inside the museum ( we were there from 10:30- 12:30 ) and the only areas available to sit and eat was at the lobby where there were like 8-10 tables or less . And with a crowd of families with kids who wants to eat/snack where will all they sit? so despite the rules posted that food and drinks are not allowed in certain areas, we had to sit on one of them and feed our son a snack, we just made sure we didn't make a mess. I wish when the museum have functions that occupy the lunch rooms/eating areas they will provide more chairs/tables at the lobby at a weekend wherein crowds of families are visiting. Overall it was a good visit. Paid $38 for 2 adults and 1 child"

"Peggy Notebeart Nature museum, Chicago is interactive exhibits and focus on local ecosystems. Live bufferflies are really attaction for kids. They provide session for kids where kids can observe and learn about insects and small animals that interactive session is really good. Kids also enjoy playing in water here as they have miniature of river where kids can experiment learn how bridges control the water flow in rivers."

"The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a great place for babies, toddlers, and older children. They have interactive areas, a reptile section with turtles, snakes,and even Madagascar hissing cockroaches on the first floor! An interactive water works area, a play area for both babies and toddlers , areas for snacks, and lunch. They have an elevator and entrance that's wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly. The museum has a nature art painting exhibit on the second floor, a second play area, the butterfly exhibit which is fantastic, and a preserved animal section. The entrance fee is normally $16.00 per person excluding infants, although every Thursday the entrance is free for Illinois residents with zip code information. I will say that the busiest days tend to be weekends and Thursdays. I love that it's walking distance from the Lincoln Park zoo, the lakefront and it's accessible by public transportation from all directions with the #76 Diversey bus leaving you in front of the museum and the #151 Sheridan bus just a block away from the museum."

"We loved our time at the museum with my 3 year old and 3 week old! It's easy to maneuver around with a stroller and my daughter loved all the butterflies and play areas. I can't wait to go back! We also got to make a day of it and go to the zoo afterwards!"

"The Judy Istock butterfly haven was beautiful! Other exhibits were interesting, but not as interactive and entertaining. It looks as if they're adding a few new exhibits but there it seems more of a fun place for kids to play and learn (very kid-friendly, with several play areas). Also the air must have been struggling today, because it was kind of sweaty in there. Mike McDonald photography feature was also beautiful."