About
Victorian mansion, gardens & trails featuring native animals, educational exhibits & guided hikes.
Visitors rate it highly — 4.8 out of 5 across 162 Google reviews. That puts it 4th of the 19 rated hiking trails we list in Chicago.
Mind the closed day: Friday. Parking is the easy part: a free lot and free street parking. And if it does not suit, 18 more hiking trails in Chicago are listed further down this page.
The quick take
Drawn from this listing's ratings, amenities, hours and how it stacks up against other hiking trails in Chicago.
What works
Consistently well reviewed
4.8 stars held across 162 reviews is not a fluke — people keep going back.
4th best-rated in Chicago
Measured against the 19 rated hiking trails we track in Chicago.
Works with kids
Flagged as family-friendly, which usually means room to run and somewhere for the adults to sit.
Restrooms on site
The difference between an hour here and a whole afternoon, especially with a group.
Free parking
A free lot and free street parking — one less thing to pay for.
Worth knowing first
Closed Friday
Check the hours panel before you set out — a single closed day is easy to miss.
A narrow window to fit it in
Open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and no longer — it has to land inside the working day.
Planning a visit
General guidance for hiking trails, adjusted for what this listing records.
What to expect
Marked trails that can run from a short loop to a half-day out, with the trailhead as the only real commitment.
A good fit for hikers and trail runners looking for a route close to town.
When to go
Start early — trailhead parking is the first thing to disappear on a good weekend. The gates are open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What to bring
- More water than feels necessary
- Shoes with grip
- A downloaded map — signal thins out
Hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: Closed
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Amenities
Featured in
Common questions about Trailside Museum of Natural History
What is Trailside Museum of Natural History?
Victorian mansion, gardens & trails featuring native animals, educational exhibits & guided hikes. It is a hiking trail in Chicago, IL, at 738 Thatcher Ave.
What are the opening hours at Trailside Museum of Natural History?
Hours vary by day: Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: Closed; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Are there restrooms at Trailside Museum of Natural History?
Yes, restrooms are available at Trailside Museum of Natural History.
Is there parking at Trailside Museum of Natural History?
Parking options here include a free lot and free street parking.
Is Trailside Museum of Natural History good for kids?
Yes — Trailside Museum of Natural History is flagged as family-friendly.
How is Trailside Museum of Natural History rated?
Trailside Museum of Natural History holds 4.8 out of 5 stars from 162 Google reviews.
What else is nearby?
Chicago has 18 other hiking trails listed on AllParx, including Lakefront Trail - Fullerton - 2400 N, Lakefront Trail - Ohio Street Beach - 600N and North Branch Trail South End at Gompers Park.
More Hiking Trails in Chicago
Hiking Trail4.9Lakefront Trail - Fullerton - 2400 N
Chicago, IL · Lakefront Trl, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Hiking Trail4.9Lakefront Trail - Ohio Street Beach - 600N
Chicago, IL · 600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Hiking Trail4.9North Branch Trail South End at Gompers Park
Chicago, IL · N Branch Trail, Chicago, IL 60630, USA
Hiking Trail4.8Lakefront Trail - Belmont Harbor - 3200 N
Chicago, IL · Lakefront Trl, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Hiking Trail4.8Lakefront Trail - Grant Park
Chicago, IL · Lakefront Trl, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Hiking Trail4.8Lakefront Trail - North Trailhead - Ardmore Ave - 5800 N
Chicago, IL · 900 W Ardmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, USA