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
Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour
Itinerary
Admission included30 min
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.
25 min
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.
30 min
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
Admission fee
Expert Guide
What's included
Included
Admission fee
Expert Guide
Not included
Gratuities
Meals
Traveller Ratings
5.0
21 reviews
5
21
4
0
3
0
2
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1
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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
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour take?
Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour lasts about 2 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour cost?
Prices start at $275 per person for this Chicago experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is We will meet up outside the main entrance to the Nature Museum at 2430 N. Cannon Dr.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Lincoln Park Zoo & Nature Museum Private Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(21)
Y
Y3892OVharryg
September 7, 2026
Great tour!
I went with my 10-year old daughter, and we both had a blast. The butterfly garden, seeing the baby zebra and rhino at the zoo, it was all awesome. The tour guide was funny and engaging for adults and kids. Highly recommend!!!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Harry! A baby zebra and rhino — what a treat for you and your daughter! We're so glad that Bernie your guide, delivered such a fun and memorable experience for both of you. Comments like yours are the reason we love what we do. We hope to welcome you both back again soon!
L
Linda_M
September 5, 2026
Zoo review
Our guide Scout, was extremely well versed in all aspects of the Museum and Zoo. We had plenty of time, and she took great care in explaining the plants, butterflies, reptiles, and animals. I would highly recommend this tour and do ask for Scout as your guide. Exceptional.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Linda! We're thrilled to hear that Scout delivered such an exceptional experience across all three destinations. Her depth of knowledge and genuine care for every guest's experience is something we're incredibly proud of. Feedback like yours is what drives us to keep delivering great experiences. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
4
498vatsalp
September 1, 2026
Friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.
Bernie, our tour guide was amazing. A few minutes in, it felt like we were all old friends hanging out with each other. He led the pace of the tour very well, and very helpful and pro active with sharing information.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Vatsal! We love hearing that Bernie made everyone feel like old friends within just a few minutes — that warm and welcoming approach is something truly special. Comments like yours are the reason we love what we do. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
1
182siweic
August 16, 2026
Fantastic trip with really professional and kind tour guide
It’s a fantastic trip about 2.5 hours. We visit the nature museum, the botanical gardens and the zoo, see a lot of tropical plants, butterflies and animals. Chicago is known for its skyscrapers but the trip let me see how Chicago tries to coexist with nature and maintain the biodiversity.
And I really appreciate my tour guide Bernie, he is really professional and kind, told me details about these plants and animals, which impress me greatly.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We love your observation about Chicago's relationship with nature and biodiversity — it's one of the most beautiful and often overlooked aspects of this incredible city, and the Lincoln Park Nature Museum, Botanical Gardens, and Zoo showcase it perfectly. We're thrilled to hear that Bernie's professionalism, kindness, and detailed knowledge of the plants and animals made such a lasting impression. Feedback like yours is what drives us to keep delivering great experiences. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
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NorthStar04110453465
June 21, 2026
Amazing natural beauty of Chicago
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.
Operator response
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!
7
773katherynp
June 21, 2026
Amazing tour with Benjamin
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
Operator response
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!
O
O3792RUclaudiav
June 21, 2026
Good experiencie
Thank you, Benjamin, for making our visit so memorable!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Operator response
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!
J
joelf389
June 16, 2026
A surprise of nature in the heart of the city!
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!
Operator response
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!
D
Donna F
June 14, 2026
An amazing tour
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.
Operator response
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!
8
85okechukwuc
May 31, 2026
A great tour through Chicago's beautiful park, museum and zoo!
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.
Operator response
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!
