• Bourbonnais Township residents receive $2.00 off admission discount.
• All adults entering the museum must show a photo ID
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Registration at the front desk is required for all museum visitors

Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult while at the Exploration Station...a children's museum. And, on the same note, adults must be accompanied and supervised by a child in order to visit the museum.

Animal Room Admission
The Live Animal Room is a special exhibit inside the children's museum that has an additional fee to experience. All animal room admission fees will directly benefit the Exploration Station's live animals.

Admission is $1.00 per person.
Children 12 months and under are free.

Admission wristbands can be purchased at the Exploration Station front desk during your visit.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are Donation Afternoons
Tuesdays and Thursdays are Donation Afternoons at Exploration Station. After 2:00 pm admission is a suggested $1.00 per person donation.

Starting January 1, 2012 the Exploration Station…a children’s museum will start charging admission to non-Illinois residents during our free hours.  This is due to SB 1670 (Public Act 97-0187) signed by Governor Quinn. Illinois residents will not be affected by this change, however, they will need to provide proof of residency.

Donation Afternoons do not apply to groups of 10 or more.
Learn More about scheduled donation afternoons

Animal Room admission is not included during donation days.

Museum Hours:

April – August
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays: 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays:
10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Sundays: 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Holiday hours may vary.
The Exploration Station is closed on the following holidays:
Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, the Day after Christmas, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Don't Forget about our Annual Shutdown: Each year the children's museum closes for 2-4 weeks at the end of August and the beginning of September to update exhibits and work on major cleaning projects. Shutdown dates are subject to change.

Please contact the Exploration Station to verify holiday and shutdown hours. Hours and admissions rates are subject to change. Please contact the Exploration Station at (815) 933-9905 for more information on hours and admission rates.

• Interact with your child(ren).
• Don't worry about doing something "wrong". The museum is designed to have an atmosphere of exploration.
• Don't try to see everything on our first visit. Follow your children to what interests them.
  
• See our Ways to Play with your Child Guide.
  (opens as a PDF document)

While You're Here:
Check out the rest of Perry Farm Park! Outdoor opportunities abound at the Perry Farm Park including 4 miles of paved, scenic walking trails that wind through prairie, meadows, woods and along the banks of the Kankakee River. Trail maps are available at the Exploration Station Front desk.

Be sure to visit our historic Perry Farm House, farm and barns. The farm area is in walking distance from the children's museum. Bring extra change to feed the outdoor farm animals that include miniature horses, burros, ducks, chickens, turkey, pheasants and more. Animal numbers and variety vary with the seasons.

The park also features an accessible playground, a fruit tree orchard, picnic areas, gazebos, and pavilion building with public restrooms. Perry Farm Park Offers wonderful outdoor eating opportunities for visiting groups!

For more information on the Perry Farm Park please contact the Bourbonnais Township Park District at (815) 933-9905.

Special Events:
The Perry Farm Park often hosts special events throughout the year.

Events include:

• Earth Day
  Awareness Fair
• Dog Day Afternoon
• Summer Concert Series
• Thee Olde Time Farm Show
• Night in Sleepy Hollow
• and more!

Please check for event dates and times with the Bourbonnais Township Park District for more information.

Click here to see more information on our Exploration Station ...a children's museum events.

Group Visits:
Exploration Station offers unique hands-on learning experiences and programs that are ideal for field trips. Advance arrangements for group visits are required. Limited indoor eating space is only avaialble if requested in advance. Programs are designed to meet Illinois Learning Standards. More more infomation on group visits Click here!

How to get there?
Exploration Station ...a children's museum is located on the Perry Farm Park.
Our address is 1095 W. Perry Street
Bourbonnais, IL 60914


Click here for directions and maps.