738 Thatcher Ave, River Forest, IL 60305
Southwest corner at the intersection of Thatcher Ave., and Chicago Ave., River Forest
Contact: 708-366-6530
Hours of operation:
March 1 through the last Saturday in October
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Last Sunday in October through February 28
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily
Exhibit Buildings open at 9 a.m. daily (CLOSED FRIDAYS), and may close up to 1/2 hour before grounds close.
CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day
Exhibit Buildings open at 9 a.m. daily (CLOSED FRIDAYS), and may close up to 1/2 hour before grounds close.
CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day
Established in 1931, Trailside Museum of Natural History served as the first public nature education facility of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. Visitors to the Museum, housed in a historic mid-1870′s Victorian mansion, will discover displays of live native animals, colorful wildflower gardens, information about local wildlife and their habitats, and more. The Museum building, gardens and grounds are wheelchair accessible. Natural-surfaced hiking trails through the surrounding Forest Preserve wind through beautiful oak woodlands and floodplain forest, and to a pond and along the Des Plaines River.
Trailside Museum is child-friendly, and offers a wide variety of public nature programs and guided hikes every month, for children, families and adults. School groups and organizations are welcome to make reservations to visit, and will receive a customized tour with a naturalist. Trailside Museum is located at the western edge of suburban River Forest, and is easily reached by foot, bicycle, car, or public transportation.
