Brookfield Zoo Chicago

See bears, primates, big cats and dolphins across a 235-acre zoo in the western suburbs of Chicago.

31st St and Golfview Ave · Brookfield, IL

About Brookfield Zoo Chicago

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

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What's around here?

The closest stops to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

Sightseeing
Chicago Portage National Historic Site
Check prices
Western end of a historic route that linked Great Lakes and Mississippi River waters, now a forest preserve site near Lyons.
2.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing
Museums
Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History
Check prices
A nature museum in Thatcher Woods showing live native animals, wildflower gardens, and local wildlife habitats.
4.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Tours
Iconic
Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
$25–$50
Tour the Oak Park house where Wright lived, worked, and invented the Prairie style, steps from the world's largest cluster of his buildings.
Transit: reachable by public transit
4.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours
Attractions
Quirky Fun
The Pinball Capital
Under $25
One of the Midwest's largest pinball arcades, with more than 130 machines near Chicago.
Transit: reachable by public transit
5.7 mi awayMore like this
Attractions
Iconic
Rate Field
$25–$50
Catch a Chicago White Sox game on the South Side, with a center field Fan Deck, a Kids Zone and a 2005 World Series sculpture.
Transit: reachable by public transit
10 mi awayMore like this
Attractions
Iconic
Skydeck Chicago
$25–$50
Observation deck atop Willis Tower with glass Ledge boxes and panoramic views over four states.
Transit: reachable by public transit
11 mi awayMore like this