Top Things to do in Illinois
Top Hotels in Illinois
The 10 Best Natural History Museums in Illinois, United States
Discover the best top things to do in Illinois, United States including Macktown Living History Museum, Fryxell Geology Museum, Field Museum, The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop, Midwest Museum of Natural History, Bess Bower Dunn Museum, Isle a la Cache Museum, The Flood Museum.
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1. Macktown Living History Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Fryxell Geology Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
3. Field Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,689 reviews
The Field Museum fuels a journey of discovery across time to enable solutions for a brighter future rich in nature and culture. With almost 40 million specimens and artifacts in our collections—including SUE, the world's most complete Tyrannosaurus rex—there's something for everyone. Start planning your visit at fieldmuseum.org.
Reviewed By TracyWfromWA - Arlington, United States
Rivaling the Museum of Natural History in New York, this museum is replete with towering dinosaur skeletons, fossils, ancient artifacts from early humankind, all under a magnificently designed Romanesque-style building. It is an expansive space. The atrium soars up to a grid-work of square windows that let natural light into the space. Tickets are on the pricey side, but it is well worth the experience. You could spend hours wandering the many themed exhibits once inside. The crown jewel of the exhibit, a T. Rex named Sue, is breathtaking in its scope. This is something you wouldn't want to miss on your trip to Chicago.
4. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
There's always something new to explore at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Bask in the warmth of our Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, home to more than 1,000 butterflies. Touch a live snake. Meet gorgeous exotic birds. See scientists engaged in real conservation and more. With over 15 exhibits to discover, the Nature Museum is the ideal family getaway, right in Chicago!
Reviewed By bfindysz - Jerusalem District, Israel
Went with a couple of small children and their parents. Midweek on a cold, snowy but sunny day,the museum was almost empty. All the better to appreciate its offerings: a new, temporary exhibit on birds of paradise which even preschoolers can enjoy as well as the permanent exhibits which are hands-on for all ages, especially a room full of models with running water to dam up, send rubber boats through locks, etc. The most wonderful exhibit is the museum's pride as well: a butterfly haven with butterflies from Australia and other faraway places which arrive at the museum while still in cocoons, hatch in a special place and are freed into the haven. In the haven, there are also some small birds for pest control and a turtle which climbs out of her pool to seek winter sunshine.
5. Burpee Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By juliegU5013ID - Chicago, United States
Wow! Great museum on the river in Rockford. We loved all the exhibits and videos. Very informative, hands on and fun for kids and adults. Big rooms with beautiful dino collections, fish, bats, and reptiles. Many coloring stations and activities for kids. The live reptile and amphibian area is very clean and well cared for. Also a good bug and insect area. And even a nice couple rooms, devoted to Native Americans. They have a gift shop and meeting rooms- even rent out for weddings and events.
6. Dave's Down to Earth Rock Shop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Since 1970, Dave's has been providing "Art Created by Mother Nature", to both novice and professional collectors of unique fossils, mineral specimens, Native American Artistry and semi-precious stones, set in fine sterling silver. At Dave's, you'll never be a a loss when looking for that unique gift item for yourself or another. Come on in and check out our "Free Prehistoric Life Museum"!!! It's the largest private collection on display to the general public, and totally free. See you soon!!!
Reviewed By Willwerks - Chicago, United States
Dave's has been around for awhile; I first visited before my oldest was born, now I take her kids there. Just a great place, full of wonderful finds at all price levels. My grandsons have bought many small treasure there, and I have picked up some neat items over the years, too. This is as much a natural history museum as a store, and its staff is always welcoming and ready to answer a kid's question. A must place to visit in Evanston!
7. Midwest Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Opened in 2004 after renovating the old Sycamore Community Center, the Midwest Museum of Natural History began with a donation of animal displays & grew rapidly from there. Today the museum seeks to inspire an appreciation for the great diversity of the natural environment & human culture through education & recreation. Please visit our website for scheduled events-- there's something every week!
Reviewed By Pathfinder30812
This museum has an extraordinary variety of preserved wildlife in natural settings. On par with the Museum of Natural History in Chicago, in quality if not the quantity of animals. Some interactive and hands-on displays for younger visitors. Its a walk through a land of wildlife that is hard to beat.
8. Bess Bower Dunn Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By 506stank - Mundelein, United States
You can do a self guided tour or they have tours throughout the week. I preferred the old Museum because of it's natural surroundings. I liked the Civil war exhibit
9. Isle a la Cache Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Peter-DG - Chicago, United States
This is a great nature museum highlighting local area wildlife and the history of the fur trade by the French "voyageurs" and the local native peoples. It sits on an island in the Des Plaines River. There are a few interesting walking paths and an "in the round" amphitheater with some outdoor displays. Drinking water and indoor bath rooms are available. A paved path connects to the 12 mile long Centennial Trail along the Des Plaines.
10. The Flood Museum
The global flood really happened, the Bible confirms it, the rocks confirm it, and we believe it! The Flood Museum brings it all alive. Join us and experience the global flood, just as the Bible described it.
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