Hickory Knolls Discovery Center

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is a nature facility run by the St. Charles Park District, with indoor exhibits kids can explore alongside naturalist staff. A highlight is the live Blanding's turtle exhibit, an indoor 500-gallon pond housing six turtles that is part of a regional endangered species breeding program. Another display features a preserved musk ox surrounded by an Ice Age Illinois landscape, with panels explaining its history. Outside, families can see a chimney swift tower built to give the migratory birds a place to nest and roost. The center also hosts school field trips and summer camps from June through August, so some areas may have limited access on those days, and calling ahead is recommended.