Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is a nationally recognized 235-acre zoological park featuring 3,481 animals belonging to 511 species. As one of the city’s most popular attractions and a national landmark, the zoo has been connecting people with wildlife since opening in 1897. The facility is operated by the Chicago Zoological Society on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The zoo features diverse attractions including the Bramsen Tropical Forests exhibit, Hamill Family Wild Encounters, and various behind-the-scenes experiences through the Wild Connections program. These unique experiences include Flamingo Feeding Adventure, Otter Adventure, Penguin Encounter and Feeding Adventure, Rainforest Aviary Feeding Adventure, Shark Feeding Adventure, Moon Jelly Encounter, and Reptile & Amphibian Encounter, allowing guests to get up close with animals while learning about their care and conservation.

Visitors can enjoy multiple dining options including cafes and restaurants throughout the park, plus shopping venues featuring wildlife-themed merchandise and educational materials. Exciting attractions include the Ferris Wheel offering panoramic views, the historic Carousel, and the Motor Safari ride. The Dolphin Discovery exhibit showcases these magnificent marine mammals in a state-of-the-art facility.

The facility offers comprehensive accessibility services including wheelchair and stroller rentals, assistive listening devices, and barrier-free pathways to ensure all guests can enjoy their visit. General admission is free through February 28 (with some paid admission days), and the zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Educational programs are award-winning and nationally recognized, providing one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunities that encourage STEAM learning by connecting guests and communities with wildlife and nature. School field trips can be customized for different grade levels and curriculum needs. Zoo Camp offers immersive summer and school break experiences for children to explore wildlife. Additional programs include the Advanced Inquiry Program for high school students, Educator Programs with teaching resources, internship opportunities, King Conservation Leadership Academy, Scout Adventures, and the SCIENCES program.

The zoo is deeply committed to conservation through multiple programs including the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program studying wild dolphin populations, the Punta San Juan Program protecting Humboldt penguins in Peru, Save the Pangolin initiative, AZA-SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) partnerships, Species Survival Plan participation breeding endangered species, Partnerships for Pollinators supporting native pollinator populations, and the CBOT Endangered Species Fund. The facility features state-of-the-art veterinary science capabilities, radiology consulting services for other zoos, animal welfare research programs, animal husbandry and behavioral programs, and zoo nutrition services that support both resident animals and global conservation efforts.