Students
Places to Go
Cool Places to Go for STEM Fun!
The Most Famous Places First
Like astronomy? Enjoy interactive exhibits and the sky shows at America’s first planetarium. Visit the Doane Observatory, the largest telescope available to the public in our area.
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! And penguins and puffins and wallabies and more!
Enjoy 385 acres of beautiful gardens and natural environments. Take part in educational and inspirational programs.
Inspiring curiosity about life on Earth while exploring how the world came to be as it is, since 1893. And, how can we make it a better place?
LPZ is a free, family, wildlife experience. While you’re there visit the Farm-in-the-Zoo, and the Conservatory, right next door. Sign up for ZooMail, too.
Walk the grounds, enjoy the Children’s Garden or take part in their special programming for kids and families. You can hike, bike or take a tram ride.
One of the largest science museums in the world, with many cool, hands-on exhibits.
Visit this unique community of food businesses designed with a circular and sustainable economy in mind. Take a tour, grab something to eat, or attend a special event.
Here you can observe aquatic animals from all over the world, surrounded by “eye-popping” architecture. Make sure to visit the Oceanarium while you’re there.
Lesser Known Great Places to Visit in Chicago
Learn about Chicago’s distinctive architecture on a guided walk or a river cruise.
Chicago’s location on the shores of Lake Michigan was an important contributor to the growth and development of the city. Visit this new museum to learn how waterways have impacted Chicago’s history.
Walk through huge greenhouses and be transported to a tropical jungle, a desert garden and a beautiful oasis. Visit indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Interested in a health career or just want to learn about history and developments in surgical science? Find exhibits on both, here.
Visit this family friendly nature museum with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Don’t miss the butterfly haven.
Satisfy Your Curiosities in the Suburbs and Beyond
Located in Bartlett – A variety of programs to explore nature through activities, hands-on projects, and games.
In Wheaton, walk through their gardens and visit a museum of military history. They host special family events, too.
You will find the Center in St. Charles, interpretive displays and hands-on exhibits for visitors of all ages. Educational and inspirational programs.
Located in Kenosha – The only museum to focus on the link between meat-eating dinosaurs and birds.
Children’s science museum, the campus includes the Rockford Art Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History. Houses a live science theater. Located in Rockford.
Located in Batavia – Sign up for tours, visit the observation area, or the Lederman Science Center at this world famous site. Science Adventures are offered for youth and families.re offered for youth and families.
Located in South Elgin – If you like trains and trolleys, this outdoor museum is a must for you and your family.
Oak Brook location – Hike the trails; see displays at the visitor’s center, or sign up for a variety of nature programs.
Learn and play outside at Peck Farm Park. Have fun, and be healthy! Activities in environmental education foster sensitivity, appreciation, and respect for the environment.
Located in River Forest – Offers a wide variety of public nature programs and guided hikes every month.
Located in St. Charles – Exhibits and displays showcase the Fox Valley area’s many natural treasures. Register for fun family programs.
Located in Bolingbrook – Hit the trails, take part in a nature program, visit the bee hives, or buy honey produced on site.
In Bolingbrook, a 6,000 square foot facility with a growing collection of restored and replica aircraft.
Visit this nature museum at Benedictine University in Lisle, with a collection of over 10,000 specimens.
You will find Lake View in Oakbrook Terrace, promoting awareness of the natural world with fun, hands-on education.
Located in Schaumburg – Over 3 million LEGO bricks and unique activity workshops with their Master Model Builder.
Now located in Oak Brook – displays of gemstone treasures with a blending of earth science exhibits. Museum programs, too.
Located in Downers Grove – With various activities, it’s the starting off point for your exploration of Lyman Woods.
Check out this organic farm in Naperville. Take a self-guided tour, or note their schedule to attend a special event.
Located in Oak Park – Visit the greenhouses to see the tropical, fern and desert rooms. Tours are available.
Transport your group to Batavia. Nature displays include a wildlife room, then follow the trails to Devil’s Cave – the only cave in our area!
Located in Aurora – It is currently closed, but check out their plans for the near future.
In Itasca, stop at the visitor’s center, then hike two miles to discover meadows, woods, prairies and marshes.
Look for the Center in Glen Ellyn. This native wildlife rehab center also aims to educate visitors about living in harmony with our local wildlife.
Be a Good Role Model for Your Younger Siblings
Located in Aurora – Pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun.
Located in Chicago – Connect play and learning in fun spaces such as WaterWays, Tinkering Lab, Dinosaur Expedition and Treehouse Trails.
Located in Wheaton – Nationally recognized zoo with a large variety of domestic farm animals and native Illinois wildlife.
Located in Naperville – The many play areas stimulate curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem solving in young children.
Located in Glenview – Interactive, hands-on exhibits for children ages birth to eight.
Located in Aurora – Drop in to see about 100 animals in this zoo-in-a park.
Search for Science Museums Worldwide
Traveling? Search around the world for science museums.