Photo from the venue's own site
Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest features live displays of native animals and colorful wildflower gardens alongside information about local wildlife and their habitats. Visitors explore exhibit areas inside the museum building and then venture onto nearly five miles of unpaved walking trails winding through oak woodlands and floodplain forest in Thatcher Woods. The grounds support nature play, hiking, walking, and bicycling on marked routes. Fishing occurs at Thatcher Pond. The location serves as a recognized birding hotspot, drawing those seeking to observe local bird species. A nature center provides accessible indoor bathrooms and parking. Educational programs and volunteer opportunities are available. The museum operates at published hours that vary seasonally, remaining closed Fridays and major holidays. Dogs are not permitted, though service dogs are allowed.
Hours: Mar - Oct: 9am - 5pm, closed Fridays; Nov - Feb: 9am - 4pm, closed Fridays
Details quoted from fpdcc.com · read on . Prices can change — the link above goes to the page they came from.
Fancy going together?
6 reasons to go, each in the venue’s own words, with the date we checked it.
Oct 10 · 3:00 pmEvent
Families join during feeding time to learn about Trailside's ambassador animals at this single event.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Sat, October 10 • 3:00 pm "Bone" Appétit Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305 Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside's ambassador animals.”
Oct 12 · 10:00 amEvent
Families commemorate Día de Muertos with Aztec dancers, exploring the meaning of altars, spiritual traditions, and the importance of honoring ancestors.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Mon, October 12 • 10:00 am Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305 Conmemora el Día de Muertos con danzantes aztecas, explorando el significado de los altares, las tradiciones espirituales y la profunda importancia de honrar a los”
Oct 15Event
Families connect to nature through fun themed activities for all ages, led by University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thu, October 15 • 2:30 pm Nature Thursdays Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305 Connect to nature through fun themed activities for all ages.”
Oct 29 · 7:00 pmEvent
Families step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, exploration of the 1876 mansion, live musical performances, and strange wonders in the night woods.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thu, October 29 • 7:00 pm Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305 Step into the shadows for eerie animal encounters, exploration of the 1876 mansion, live musical performances, and the strange wonders lurking in the night woods.”
Nov 1 – 30Season
An exhibit celebrating Native American Heritage Month showcases tribal diversity of contemporary Indigenous Communities whose ancestral homelands are the Great Lakes region.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Sun, November 1 - Mon, November 30 Trailside Museum of Natural History • River Forest, IL 60305 In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Trailside is hosting an exhibit celebrating tribal diversity of contemporary Indigenous Communities whose ancestral homelands are the Great”
Nov 8 · 8:00 amEvent
A naturalist leads a walk to look for local birds at Trailside Museum. A limited supply of binoculars is available for loan at select events.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Bird Walk Dates: November 8, 2026 at 8:00 am”
Trailside Museum of Natural History publishes its own offers, and when fpdcc.com was last read there was none.
The page stays here because the attraction is still worth knowing about, and because we keep checking. If a deal appears on their site, it appears here.
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11 miChicago
10 miChicago
10 miChicago
Mondays – Saturdays: 10 AM – 4 PM, Closed Sundays
9 miBedford Park
3 miBerwyn
First Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
17 miChicago
Wednesday – Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM
25 miCalumet City
Thursday 1:00-4:00 p.m., Tuesday 2:00-4:00 p.m., & 2nd Sunday 1:00-5:00 p.m. (varies by month)
2 miRiver Grove
Mon–Thu: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Fri: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM; Sat: 6:00 – 9:30 PM; Sun: Closed
Hours via Google Maps
13 miEvanston
Thursday – Sunday: 1-4 p.m.
11 miChicago
EBT/WIC Card Discount
10 miChicago
Museums for All - EBT Card Discount
10 miChicago
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