Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour
Description
Discover the wild heart of Chicago on our guided walking tour through Lincoln Park, where nature and history meet in one unforgettable experience. What sets our tour apart is the seamless blend of three iconic destinations—the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the lush Lincoln Park Conservatory, and the vibrant Lincoln Park Zoo—curated into one dynamic, story-filled journey led by a knowledgeable local guide. You'll marvel at the butterflies in flight, wander through exotic gardens under glass, and encounter wildlife from around the world—all while uncovering the hidden history and surprising beauty of this beloved urban oasis. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong Chicagoan, this tour offers fresh insights, natural wonders, and photo-worthy moments at every turn. Book now and see why Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s most treasured gems!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start your guided tour at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum with a walk up to the scenic rooftop, where native plants and panoramic views of Lincoln Park and the city skyline set the stage for your experience. From there, head down to explore the museum grounds, where curated gardens and natural landscapes showcase the region’s diverse ecosystems. Inside, step into the tranquil beauty of the Butterfly Haven, a living greenhouse where hundreds of butterflies flutter around you in a lush, tropical setting. Then discover the Birds of Chicago exhibit, where your guide highlights fascinating facts about local and migratory birds through engaging displays and interactive features.
Step inside the lush, glass-enclosed world of the Lincoln Park Conservatory, one of Chicago’s most vibrant botanical treasures. Your expert guide will lead you through the Conservatory’s historic Victorian-style greenhouses, pointing out exotic plants, rare orchids, and tropical palms that flourish year-round in this warm and fragrant oasis. Begin in the Palm House, where towering palms and ancient cycads create a canopy above a carpet of green. Continue into the Fern Room, a serene space filled with prehistoric foliage and a cascading indoor waterfall. Next, explore the Orchid House, a colorful gallery of blooming orchids and other delicate flowers, and then wander through the Show House, which features seasonal floral displays and rotating exhibits. Throughout the tour, your guide shares stories of the Conservatory’s 19th-century origins, the unique care these plants require, and the ecological importance of plant conservation.
The last stop on our walking tour is Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest and most beloved zoos in the country. Your expert guide will lead you through highlights of the zoo’s animal habitats, from majestic big cats to playful primates, sharing fun facts and conservation stories along the way. As we stroll through the beautifully landscaped grounds, you’ll get a glimpse into the zoo’s rich history and its mission of wildlife preservation. The tour concludes at the stunning Peoples Gas Education Pavilion, where you'll enjoy a peaceful view of the Nature Boardwalk and the Chicago skyline beyond.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(17)
Ben is a highly dedicated guide who loves his work. The tour was full of insights in various species of Illinois wild animals, butterflies and birds housed at Chicago Nature Museum in addition to all other species from around the world at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. Highly recommended in combination with the Field Museum.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that Ben's dedication and passion for his work shone through so clearly, and that the tour gave you such rich insight into Illinois' native wildlife alongside the incredible species at the Lincoln Park Conservatory from around the world. Here at Chicago Museum Tours, we're so proud to have Ben on our team. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Benjamin was really good during the tour. He was interested in the great experience into the each place and he spoke in spanish too. Thanks
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Katheryn! We're delighted to hear that Benjamin's genuine enthusiasm made for such a great experience at every stop — and how wonderful that he was able to share the tour with you in Spanish too! Here at Chicago Museum Tours, we're incredibly proud to have him on our team. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Thank you, Benjamin, for making our visit so memorable!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks Claudia for your 5-star review! Glad you enjoyed your time with Ben touring Lincoln Park. Please come back and join us again on another tour soon!
Wow! Just Wow! The Nature Museum was such a surprise as it is chock full of interesting displays and who knew, live animals! Our guide Bernie provided a wealth of fascinating information. The butterfly exhibit alone is worth the price of the ticket! Same with the conservatory and zoo. Bernie made it fun and informative. A great tour!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Joel. We're thrilled to hear that the Nature Museum was such a delightful surprise and that Bernie's knowledge and enthusiasm made the whole experience so fun and informative. The butterfly exhibit truly is something special — and it sounds like the conservatory and zoo more than lived up to expectations too! Here at Chicago Museum Tours, we love showcasing this incredible hidden gem in the heart of the city. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
WOW! I just moved to Chicago recently and love my new home even more after this tour. Such a great tour of these 3 destinations. Our guide was so knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. I can’t wait to return to the nature museum and zoo with my granddaughter.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Donna, and welcome to Chicago! We're so thrilled to hear that the tour made you fall in love with your new home even more — that truly is the best compliment we could receive! Lincoln Park has so much to offer and we're delighted Bernie helped you discover it. We love that you're already planning a return visit with your granddaughter — she is going to have an amazing time! Here at Chicago Museum Tours, we hope to welcome you both back again very soon!
The tour was great! Bernie had such great passion for the city of Chicago and knew so much of its rich history. The tour felt very worth it with the paid admission fee, and additional information that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I really appreciated having a guide to show me a deeper understanding of the beautiful city of Chicago.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Bernie's passion for Chicago and his deep knowledge of the city's rich history made your Lincoln Park tour such a rewarding and worthwhile experience. There truly is no better way to discover the beauty and stories of this incredible city than with a guide who loves it as much as Bernie does. Here at Chicago Museum Tours, sharing that passion for Chicago is at the heart of everything we do. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Awesome! The guide was so attention and kindness, a perfect tour!
Thank you so much for your 5-star review. we are glad to hear you enjoyed your time touring with Bernie. Please come back and join us again on another tour soon.
I had an amazing time learning about the past prairie land life of the Illinois Savanah and wild life conservation at the Peggy Notebaert museum, the vanilla beans and the Venus fly traps at the conservatory and the history of the Zoo and the life of the lion king Jabari. Bernie l’s rendition of the Lincoln spark tour was educational and fun! Love the jokes!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that Bernie made your Lincoln Park tour such an educational and fun-filled adventure. Bernie's ability to make every stop so engaging and entertaining — jokes included — is what makes him such a special guide. Here at Chicago Museum Tours, we love showcasing this beautiful corner of Chicago and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
Good tour. Guide was very informative. There’s nothing else I could want from this. A real complete experience.
Thanks Daniel, so glad to hear you enjoyed your nature tour with Bernie. Please come back and join us on another tour soon!
Was solo but was a great experience, hit plenty of sites and the guide is great!
Thank you so much for your 5-star review!
