Visit

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

We look forward to welcoming you to Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Enjoy our 235-acre zoological park, featuring 3,481 animals belonging to 511 species. Read on to learn how to maximize your Zoo visit! 

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

Click here to purchase 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.

Animal ambassadorS
 

HAMILL FAMILY WILD ENCOUNTERS

At just over three acres, this exhibit is geared 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 see llamas, wallabies, and reindeer, not to mention Zoo Chats and Animal Ambassador appearances throughout the day. 

*Seed sticks for parakeets are available for $2.00 each and sold inside the aviary.


ADMISSION
Free 

SCHEDULE
Daily 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

ANIMAL AMBASSADORS
 

THE CAROUSEL (Closed for the season)

Weather permitting: Take a spin in one of the largest hand-carved wooden carousels 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)

SCHEDULE
Closed for the season 

 TICKETs coming soon 
 

BUTTERFLIES: returns 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)

Click here for a monarch butterfly coloring sheet, courtesy of JULIE!

Presented by

 
 

BUTTERFLIES
 

ANNIVERSARY WHEEL: COMING mARCH 2024

Starting March 15, guests will be able to enjoy the Anniversary Ferris Wheel – in celebration of the 90th Anniversary 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 36" tall to ride with a supervising companion, and 42" tall to ride without a supervising companion. 
Tickets will be available for purchase onsite at the Zoo.

SCHEDULE
 Opens March 15, 2024

PURCHASE AT ZOO

SAFARI TOURS: returns 2024

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 your Zoo 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
 Closed for the season

Presented by


 

PURCHASE AT ZOO
 

Dolphins IN ACTION:
Returns March 2024

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! Dolphins in Action presentations resume on Friday, March 22.

TICKETS
Adults:
$6.00
Seniors 65 & Over: $4.00
Children 3 to 11: $3.00
Free for Unlimited-Level Members
Tickets will be available for purchase onsite at the Zoo.

SCHEDULE

March 22-31:
Monday - Wednesday: 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday: 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

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.
 

ABOUT OUR DOLPHINS
 

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

Parking Fee at the South Gate

Cars: $20.00

Buses: $25.00

Members: $7.00

Cook County parking tax & Illinois Parking Excise Tax included.

 

        Learn More About Transportation Partner    

 

        

 

 

     
  

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 are off for the season.
*Giraffe Arnieta and her calf Kinda can be seen daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Habitat Africa.



 
  • 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
  • THE SWAMP
  • Tropic World
  • wild encounters aviary
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Closed buildings

Please note the following buildings are currently CLOSED at this time.

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  • PACHYDERMS
  • Seven Seas underwater viewing (reopens March 25) & Dolphins in Action (Reopens March 22)
  • SWEETY BIRd
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CURRENT BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO MAP

WALKING MAP

QUIET SPACE LOCATION MAP

LARGE PRINT/SERVICE ANIMAL MAP