WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
We look forward to welcoming you to Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Enjoy our 235-acre zoological park, featuring 3,481animals belonging to 511 species. Read on to learn how to maximize your Zoo visit!
From May 13to May 17, 2024 (weather dependent), we'll be repaving the South Parking Lot at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. During this time, all guests are requested to park in the North Parking Lot. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding as we work to improve your zoo experience. We look forward to seeing you at Brookfield Zoo Chicago!
HOURS
Weekdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Weekends 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Buildings close 30 minutes before the Zoo.
We are open daily, with the exceptions of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
TICKETS
HAMILL FAMILY PLAY ZOO
At the award-winning Hamill Family Play Zoo, young children and their families explore, play, and learn by doing. Our goal is for our guests to have fun and grow their lifelong connections with animals and nature.
ADMISSION
Free
SCHEDULE
Mondays-Thursdays 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Fridays-Saturdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sundays 12 -4 p.m.
HAMILL FAMILY WILD ENCOUNTERS
At just over three acres, this exhibit isgeared toward guests of all ages and features unforgettable hands-on experiences that include opportunities to touch and feed animals, including parakeets and goats. You'll also get to seellamas,wallabies, and reindeer, not to mention Zoo Chats and Animal Ambassador appearances throughout the day.
*Seed sticks forparakeets are available for $2.00 each and sold inside the aviary.
ADMISSION
Free
SCHEDULE
Daily 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
THE CAROUSEL
Weather permitting:Take a spin in one of the largest hand-carved woodencarousels in the country! Located near the Zoo’s North Gate entrance, The Carousel features 72 animals to choose from, some representing highly endangered animals from around the world, as well as three stationary animal chariots.
Please Note: All seated riders require a ticket.
TICKETS
Adults: $4.00 ($2.00 for members)
Seniors 65 & Over: $3.50 ($1.75 for members)
Children 0 to 11: $3.00 ($1.50 for members)
BUTTERFLIES: OPENS mAY 25,2024
Discover some of nature's most colorful creatures -butterflies! Observe as these species native to North America fly around the pond, up into the sky, land on some flowers, and possibly land on you! *May be weather dependent.
TICKETS
Adults: $4.00 ($2.00 for members)
Seniors 65 & Over: $3.50 ($1.75 for members)
Children 3 to 11: $3.00 ($1.50 for members)
ANNIVERSARY WHEEL
Enjoy theAnniversary Ferris Wheel– in celebration of the 90thAnniversary of the opening of the Zoo. Measuring 110’ tall in height, the massive sky wheel rotates over two and a half times per minute and has 24 riding gondolas that sit up to 6 people each, and feature multicolored LED lighting that will illuminate brightly during evening hours and events.
TICKETS
Members: $6.00 per rider (free for Unlimited-level members)
Nonmembers: $8.00 per rider
Please note, riders must be at least 32" tall to ride with a supervising companion, and 42" tall to ride without a supervising companion. The structure is not wheelchair accessible.This is a temporary structure that will be onsite through December 31, 2024.
SAFARI TOURS: OPEN WEEkENDS
Hop aboard our Safari Tours for a narrated ride around Brookfield Zoo Chicago! You'll get to know all the exhibits and fun things to do here at the Zoo while also learning about the conservation work we do as well as get insights into the history of the Zoo. It's a great way to relax while getting the most out of yourZoo experience.Please Note: All riders require a ticket.
TICKETS
Adults: $6.00 ($3.00 for members)
Seniors 65 & Over: $4.00 ($2.00 for members)
Children 0 to 11: $3.00 ($1.50 for members)
SCHEDULE
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. weekends
Presented by
PURCHASE AT ZOO
Dolphins IN ACTION
Get to know our dolphins through the exciting and educational Dolphins in Action! Learn about dolphin social structures and adaptations as our dolphins captivate you with aerial displays and other exhibitions that show off their incredible intelligence and agility!
TICKETS
Adults: $6.00
Seniors 65 & Over: $4.00
Children 3 to 11: $3.00
Free for Unlimited-Level Members
SCHEDULE
Effective April 1:
Weekdays: 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.
Weekends: 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Please note, Dolphins in Action will be closed Monday, May 20 through Wednesday, May 22.
Directions and Parking
By Car
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located at First Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago.
There are exits to First Avenue from the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and from the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) (See detours above). Signs on First Avenue will direct you to the Zoo’s main entrance and Zoo parking—or you can just follow the lion’s roar!
North Parking Lot (Golfview Road)
GPS Address: 8400 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513
By Bus
Throughout the year, you can take Pace Bus Route 331 to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The Pace bus service stops just outside the Zoo’s South Gate.
If you need detailed route information or door-to-door directions, visit Pacebus.com or call the RTA Travel Line at 312-836-7000.
CharterUP offers private bus rentals for school groups and private groups interested in visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Browse their Chicago bus rental options to plan your upcoming trip today.
National Charter Bus is a nationwide bus rental company that offers charter bus rentals in Chicago and Illinois. You can book a private transportation service with them for your group trip to Brookfield Zoo.
GOGO Charters provides bus rentals in Chicago and around Illinois for group trips and events at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. See their charter bus rental and minibus rental options to begin planning your trip.
By Train
Beat the traffic by taking the train! If you want to skip the drive and not worry about traffic or parking, it's easy to get to Brookfield Zoo Chicago from downtown or the western suburbs via Metra's BNSF Line.
Exit at the Zoo Stop (Hollywood Station) and then walk two blocks northeast. You can also exit at the Riverside station or Brookfield station and walk to the Zoo.
To obtain a train schedule, call Metra at (312) 322-6777 or visit their website.
Parking Fee at the North Gate
Cars: $17.00
Buses: $25.00
Members: Free
South Parking Lot
GPS Address: 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513
Please note, South Parking Lot will be closed for repaving May 13-17.
Parking Fee at the South Gate
Cars: $20.00
Buses: $25.00
Members: $7.00
Cook County parking tax & Illinois Parking Excise Tax included.
Open buildings
The following indoor buildings are currently open or will open at the designated day and time noted:
*Please note that Splash pad at Living Coast and water misters return for the season Memorial Day weekend.
- AUSTRALIA
- BZ red hots
- CAFé DEL SOL
- Clouded Leopard Rain Forest
- Desert's Edge
- Great Bear Wilderness Underwater Viewing
- Feathers & Scales
- HABITAT AFRICA: THE FOREST
- HABITAT AFRICA: THE KOPJE
- Hamill family play zoo
- Hamill Family Wild Encounters
- Living Coast
- MACAWS
- Regenstein Wolf Woods Indoor Viewing
- Reptiles & Birds
- sea lion cove underwater viewing
- SEVEN SEAS UNDERWATER VIEWING
- SWEETY BIRD
- THE SWAMP
- Tropic World
- WILD BURGER
- wild encounters aviary
Closed buildings
Please notethe following buildings are currently CLOSED at this time.
- PACHYDERMS
CURRENT BZC MAP
WALKING MAP
QUIET SPACE LOCATION MAP
LARGE PRINT/SERVICE ANIMAL MAP
