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Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield, IL

Photo: Derek Taylor, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

AttractionsFamily FavoriteIconic

Brookfield Zoo Chicago

31st St and Golfview Ave · Brookfield, IL

Why you should go…

Brookfield Zoo Chicago spreads over 235 acres in the western suburbs and has been open since 1934. You can walk through Tropic World, an indoor rainforest of primates, and Great Bear Wilderness, built for grizzly and polar bears. Habitat Africa, The Living Coast and Dolphin Bay add savanna and marine animals, and a hand-carved wooden carousel offers a break between habitats. The zoo became known early on for using moats and ditches in place of cages.

  • #zoo
  • #animals
  • #family activities
  • #dolphins

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

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