- Attraction: Brookfield Zoo Chicago
- Location: 8400 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513
- Industry: Zoo
- Website: https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/
Brookfield Zoo Chicago opened on July 1, 1934, and quickly gained international recognition for using moats and ditches instead of cages, revolutionizing how we experience wildlife.
Spanning 235 acres just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago, this world-renowned destination houses over 3,000 animals representing 511 species.
The zoo was also the first in the United States to exhibit giant pandas and pioneered the first fully indoor bottlenose dolphin exhibit in the United States back in 1960.
What sets Brookfield Zoo apart isn’t just its groundbreaking history. It’s the immersive experiences that make you feel like you’re stepping into the animals’ natural worlds rather than simply observing them from afar.
Spectacular Exhibits & Animal Encounters
Tropic World: Step into one of the world’s largest indoor primate habitats where you’ll meet gorillas, orangutans, spider monkeys, and golden lion tamarins from three continents.
Related
More in Illinois
Get Fired Up: This Logan Square Eatery Brings Israeli Street Food To Life With Colorful Mezze Plates
Keep Exploring →In the 1980s the zoo introduced the first fully indoor tropical rainforest simulation exhibit, which was the largest indoor zoo exhibit in the world at that time.
The space feels authentically jungle-like with soaring ceilings, lush vegetation, and multiple levels that let you observe these intelligent creatures as they swing, climb, and interact naturally.
Great Bear Wilderness: You’ll get heart-stopping close encounters with North America’s most magnificent predators.
The underwater viewing windows let you watch polar bears and grizzly bears diving and swimming with incredible grace. Great Bear Wilderness, a National Park-like experience on the zoo’s West Mall, where guests practically walk side-by-side with bison and stand eye-to-eye with grizzlies and polar bears.
Seven Seas Dolphin Shows: You can’t leave Brookfield Zoo Chicago without watching bottlenose dolphins show off their intelligence and agility with aerial displays and other clever tricks during Dolphins in Action. The dolphins perform multiple times daily, showcasing their natural behaviors while teaching you about marine conservation efforts.
More in Illinois
Locals Swear By The Yellow Gravy & Old-School Vibes At This Historic Waukegan Eatery
Discover MoreInteractive Animal Experiences: Feel a giraffe’s surprisingly rough tongue during feeding sessions, available during peak season from 10:30am-12 noon and 1-2:30pm.
You can also book exclusive Wild Connections experiences including shark feedings, macaw playtime, otter adventures, and penguin encounters that bring you face-to-face with your favorite animals.
Big Cat Country: Watch snow leopards, Amur tigers, and African lions prowl across rocky terrain or splash playfully in their pools.
This impressive display contains incredibly beautiful Snow leopards as well as Amur leopards, Amur tigers and African lions. Some of these are highly endangered in the wild, but you can see them up close as they prowl around on their rocks or play in the water.
Family Fun & Special Attractions
Anniversary Ferris Wheel: Take in breathtaking views from the 110-foot tall Ferris wheel celebrating the zoo’s 90th anniversary.
Related
More in Illinois
Climb Into A Massive Mining Truck Theater At This Incredible Peoria Museum
Keep Exploring →In 2024, a ferris wheel was set up near the east mall to celebrate the zoo’s 90th anniversary. It has returned for the 2025 season. The massive wheel features 24 colorful gondolas and spectacular LED lighting that illuminates during evening events.
Historic Carousel: Ride one of the largest hand-carved wooden carousels in the country.
The largest non-restored, hand-carved, wooden carousel offers nostalgic charm with beautifully crafted animals that have delighted generations of visitors.
Hamill Family Play Zoo: Perfect for younger children, this interactive area includes hands-on encounters, a petting zoo area, and nature-based learning experiences designed specifically for little hands and curious minds.
Atmosphere & Experience
Spacious Layout: You’ll appreciate the zoo’s thoughtful design across 235 acres with wide pathways and plenty of breathing room.
More in Illinois
Purple Walls, Homemade Pies, And Chicken Livers Define This Annawan Diner
Discover MoreThe park is incredibly clean, and you can really tell how much they care for all the animals—each habitat was well-maintained and thoughtfully designed. The Italian provincial architecture and formal malls create an elegant backdrop for your wildlife adventure.
Year-Round Beauty: The grounds transform with each season—from vibrant spring blooms to the magical Holiday Magic light festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights during winter months.
Chicago’s longest-running lights festival, Holiday Magic, includes plenty of family activities, entertainment that celebrates the season, and over two million twinkling LED lights.
Clean & Well-Maintained: Visitors consistently praise the zoo’s spotless condition and attention to detail.
We were impressed at the the overall park cleanliness and availability of restrooms for guests. The facilities feel modern and well-cared-for, enhancing your overall experience.
Related
More in Illinois
This Well-Preserved Remarkable Oak Park Home Was Hemingway’s Birthplace
Keep Exploring →Other Considerations
Reasonable Pricing: Admission is $24.95 adults, $17.95 seniors and children, children under 2 free, making it an affordable family outing compared to similar major attractions. The value is excellent considering the vast number of exhibits, shows, and experiences included with admission.
Parking & Transportation: Parking costs $17-20 depending on which gate you choose, though zoo members receive free parking. You can easily reach the zoo via Metra train from Chicago’s Union Station, making it accessible without a car.
One fantastic aspect of Brookfield Zoo is that it is not located immediately in Chicago, which means that visitors will likely miss some of the traffic that might otherwise be inconvenient.
Plan Your Day: There’s hundreds of exhibits (both indoor and outdoor), a dinosaur trail, a carousel, a little kids’ area, a playground, a petting zoo area, a dolphin show—so much that you’ll want to return multiple times.
The zoo’s app helps you navigate efficiently and rewards you for taking photos throughout different areas.
Accessibility: The zoo provides BZ Care Kits for guests with sensory disabilities, and wheelchair rentals are available.
However, note that strollers aren’t allowed in certain exhibits like Seven Seas and Tropic World, though convenient stroller parking is provided nearby.
Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded, while warm weather weekends and holidays draw larger crowds.
Most indoor animal exhibits close 30 minutes prior to the park closing time, so plan accordingly for indoor experiences.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago
📍 8400 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513
