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815 Safari

100% Free Adventures. Self Paced. Summer Fun. Cool Loot.

Some of our animals have escaped the museum walls! Check out your favorite Rockford coffee shops, theaters, and local businesses to find them and win prizes!

 

 

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Dino Dash Challenge

Think you’ve got what it takes to beat the clock? Put your speed, teamwork, and problem-solving skills to the test in our Minute to Win It: Prehistoric Challenge! Race through a series of exciting 60-second games inspired by paleontology and the prehistoric world.

 

 

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Museum Mash-Up

This Saturday Night!  Two Museums. One Unforgettable Night. Spend the night exploring science, discovery, and dinosaurs in this exciting new overnight museum adventure Missed this Saturday? Check for another date! For additional questions email Lydia Wilson at lydiaw@discoverycentermuseum.org or call 815-972-2826.

Homeschool Science Days

Each Burpee Science Homeschool event transforms the museum into an exciting learning environment where families explore together, meet live animals, examine fossils and specimens, participate in experiments, and discover how nature continues to inspire modern science and engineering. 

Register Today!

Music On The Rock

Live Music. Wednesday Nights.
On the banks of the Rock River at Burpee, we present different artists each week! Relax and enjoy food and drink with friends and family at out beautiful outdoor theater from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Rock with Us...Learn More!

Paleo Experience

Explore the best of Burpee’s fossils in this 45 min must see behind the scenes tour for any dinosaur and fossil lover! This tour will go as in-depth as you are interested and is led by an enthusiastic guide! You encounter the prehistoric creatures that call Burpee home, learn about fossil preparation into the paleo lab, how fossils are uncovered in the field, and enjoy private viewing of the prehistoric world!

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Animal Encounters

Go beyond the exhibits and step into a 45-minute behind-the-scenes animal experience with Burpee’s team. Meet incredible reptiles and other fascinating creatures up close while learning how they live, eat, and help us understand the natural world. Bring your camera! These are moments you’ll want to remember. Each encounter includes museum admission and reserve in advance: tickets are limited and sell out.

Reserve Your Encounter

Plan Your Visit!

Skip the wait and buy your tickets online! Experience the museum’s collections and exhibits with ease—secure your general admission tickets today for a hassle-free visit.

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Become a Member!

Enjoy the perks!

  • Unlimited general admission trips to Burpee
  • Free or discounted admission to ticketed exhibitions
  • Free subscription to Out of the Rock, our member magazine
  • So much more!
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Welcome School Groups!

Fieldtrip Tours, Workshops, and Outreaches!

We can’t wait to bring your group face to face with a T. rex or a Tegu!  Plan your trip to Burpee with curriculum aligned activities for your students or bring us out to visit you with our mobile classroom!

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Promotions & Events

More Events

Current Exhibits

Jane

Diary of a Dinosaur

Pleistocene

Ice Age in Illinois

Carboniferous Era

Coal Forest

Geology

The Earth Below Your Feet

Sprouts Learning Lab

A Child-Friendly Exhibit of Exploration

Homer

Homer's Odyssey

Scientists at Work!

Talk to scientists at the open window at the viewing lab

Donate To Burpee Natural History Museum

During this unprecedented time of COVID-19 limited attendance, limited classes, and loss of income, Burpee has a great need for your support.
Today we need your help more than ever to keep the doors open for our community. Your gift’s impact can change our future.