30+ Nature Centers in the Chicagoland Suburbs

FREE indoor and outdoor educational nature centers that are sure to entertain kids of all ages.

Nature centers are probably the most underrated forms of family-friendly entertainment and activities. Educational exhibits, hands-on interactive learning, indoor and outdoor programs… and all for FREE — what’s not to love about it!

Ranging all over the Chicagoland area, from the North, West and South suburbs, read on to find the best nature centers near you.

Near North and Northwest Suburbs

Photo of The Grove Interpretive Center via bluestoneinc.com

The Grove

1421 Milwaukee Ave
Glenview IL 60025

Maintained by the Glenview Park District, The Grove has historic outdoor attractions and interactive indoor exhibits, which include the Kennicott House and Archives, the Interpretive Center, the Blacksmith Shop and so much more. Don’t forget to also venture onto the outdoor trails and take in all the beautiful nature around you.

Other nature centers in the near North and Northwest suburbs.

Evanston Ecology Center
2024 McCormick Blvd
Evanston IL 60201
Closed for renovations until Oct 2024

Emily Oaks Nature Center
4650 Brummel St
Skokie IL 60076

Wildwood Nature Center
531 Forestview Ave
Park Ridge IL 60068

River Trail Nature Center
3120 Milwaukee Ave
Northbrook IL 60062

Heller Nature Center
2821 Ridge Rd
Highland Park IL 60035

---

Northwest Suburbs

Photo of Vera Meineke Nature Center via chicagotribune.com

Vera Meineke Nature Center

1111 E Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg IL 60194

Located at Spring Valley, the Vera Meineke Nature Center is a natural history museum that has interactive exhibits, a children’s play area, a living turtle pond display and a library. Nearby the center, there is also a learning garden, wildlife display and a new monarch rearing station that has daily butterfly releases. Also in Spring Valley, is the 1880s living history Heritage Farm and Bison’s Bluff Nature Playground.

Other nature centers in the Northwest suburbs.

Springbrook Nature Center
130 Forest Ave
Itasca IL 60143

Bartlett Nature Center
2054 W Stearns Rd
Bartlett IL 60103

Hawthorne Hill Nature Center
28 Brookside Dr
Elgin IL 60123

Crabtree Nature Center
3 Stover Rd
Barrington IL 60010

Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center
330 N Main St
Crystal Lake IL 60014
Temporarily closed for new construction, as of April 2024

---

Far North Suburbs

Photo of Prairie Grass Nature Museum via familiohq.com

Prairie Grass Nature Museum

860 Hart Rd
Round Lake IL 60073

An indoor nature museum with lifelike displays that give guests the illusion of being outdoors. In addition to nature programs and monthly crafts & activities, the Prairie Grass Nature Museum also provides a Nature Discovery Pack, free of charge, that includes everything you need for your next nature walk, such as a magnifying glass, compass, binoculars, plant and wildlife guides and more.

Other nature centers in the far North suburbs.

Volo Bog Visitor Center
28478 Brandenburg Rd
Ingleside IL 60041

Lost Valley Visitor Center
Glacial Park
6705 State Rte 31
Ringwood IL 60072

---

West Suburbs

Photo of Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum via Benedictine University website

Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum

Benedictine University
5700 College Rd
Lisle IL 60532

The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum is a natural history museum at Benedictine University, that offers hands-on learning and interactive exhibits with collections in oology, paleontology and herbarium. As part of the Discovery Box Loan Program, visitors can reserve a free educational kit that includes different specimens, education materials and activities.

Other nature centers in the West suburbs.

Trailside Museum of Natural History
738 Thatcher Ave
River Forest IL 60305

Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
3609 Spring Rd
Oak Brook IL 60523

Lake View Nature Center
17W063 Hodges Rd
Oakbrook Terrace IL 60181

Lyman Woods Nature Center
901 31st St
Downers Grove IL 60515

Red Oak Nature Center
930 N River Rd
North Aurora IL 60542

Peck Farm Park
4038 Kaneville Rd
Geneva IL 60134

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center
3795 Campton Hills Rd
St Charles IL 60175

Creek Bend Nature Center
37 W 700 Dean St
St Charles IL 60175

---

South Suburbs

Photo of Sagawau Environmental Learning Center via Forest Preserves of Cook County website

Sagawau Environmental Learning Center

12545 W 111th St
Lemont IL 60439

The Sagawau Environmental Learning Center includes exhibits on geology, human & natural history and habitat management. Other educational programs offered are interpretive hikes and walking trails, field trips and outdoor hybrid learning, and the Sagawau Canyon Nature Preserve.

Other nature centers in the South suburbs.

Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens
7402 W Lake Katherine Dr
Palos Heights IL 60463

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
9800 Willow Springs Rd
Willow Springs IL 60480

Hidden Oaks Nature Center
419 Trout Farm Rd
Bolingbrook IL 60440

Knoch Knolls Nature Center
320 Knoch Knolls Rd
Naperville IL 60565

Pilcher Park Nature Center
2501 Highland Park Dr
Joliet IL 60432

Isle a la Cache Museum
501 E Romeo Rd
Romeoville IL 60446

Sand Ridge Nature Center
15891 Paxton Ave
South Holland IL 60473

Plum Creek Nature Center
27064 Dutton Rd
Beecher IL 60401

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center
25055 S Walnut Ln
Channahon IL 60410

---

Bonus: Nature Museums in the City

Photo of Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum via naturemuseum.org

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

2430 N Cannon Dr
Chicago IL 60614

Categorized more as a museum, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is located in Chicago and requires a paid admission into the facility. Included with your admission is a large array of educational exhibits, including live native animals, nature-inspired art, toddler-friendly play spaces and exotic butterfly species.

Other nature centers in the city.

North Park Village Nature Center
5801 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago IL 60646

---

What other nature centers am I missing? Let me know in the comments!