Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Today we visited the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park. This was a new experience for all four of us and it was definitely worth the trip. The Nature Museum is located across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo so I had seen it several times and had always wanted to go. The first section we walked through housed all sorts of amphibians and reptiles that are native to the Midwest including snakes, toads, frogs and turtles. They also have a River Works area that describes locks, canals and details about the Chicago River. Here you can put your boat in the water and watch it sail "downstream" or try to make a river into a lake by building your own dam. In addition to the live animals on the first floor, there were many preserved animals that are also native to the Midwest and could be seen on mini "nature walks" displayed as savannahs, prairies and forests. The second floor included the Extreme Green House which is set up like a real house with interactive displays and facts about being environmentally friendly in your own home. The Hands-On-Habitat is for children seven and under and had both Lilia and Franky running into the mock beaver dam, playing on a boat, climbing up a spider web and coming right back down on a slide. I would say our favorite part of the museum was the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. I've been in butterfly sanctuaries before and while they are all nice, this one has the others beat. At one point, other than employees, we were alone to view the butterflies galore, beautiful flowers, birds and a koi pond with turtles and a waterfall. I could have spent all day in there, but it was time to move outdoors to to see the ducks, geese, more turtles and the daffodils in bloom. The museum also has a rooftop garden, but it being the end of April, there wasn't an abundance of green plants or blooming flowers. I'm actually looking forward to going back this summer to check out new exhibits and to see how lush everything will be. Lilia just asked me if we could go back next weekend. In my family if the kids are already asking to go back, you know it was a hit.