Brookfield Zoo Chicago

We love coming to Brookfield Zoo! We go several times a year, so we have the family membership. They changed the memberships this past year which took away a lot of the amenities, and raised the price. If we lived closer I probably wouldn’t care as much, but we live about 75mins away, so it’s a bit of a trip for us to go out that way. Overall, it’s a great time for sure! Very clean zoo, we always learn something new, and we LOVE getting a mold-a-rama every trip.

We visited Brookfield Zoo while in Chicago, and it ended up being one of our favorite zoo experiences. ❤️ The layout makes it easy to get around, and what really stood out was how close you can get to the animals. We had great views of the tigers, lions, giraffes, dolphins, bears and so much more ... it made the whole experience feel much more engaging. The big cats exhibits were a highlight for us ... being able to see the tiger and lions up close was incredible. We went on a Wednesday in early April, so it wasn’t crowded, and we were able to get through all the exhibits comfortably in about 6 hours without feeling rushed. The zoo is well maintained, and the exhibits feel thoughtfully designed. We also tried some of the food at Grave Kitchen while we were there, and it was actually really good, which isn’t always the case for zoo food. It’s a great option for families, and while there’s a lot of walking, the layout is manageable and well spaced out. Overall, a great experience and definitely worth visiting if you’re in the area and love animals. We’d absolutely come back.

Interesting zoo. Definitely great for locals. Large open spaces with many of the animals in buildings so you have to go inside to see them but many open exhibits (no glass or cage between you and the animals). Easy parking, friendly staff. Mostly easy to navigate and the app helps to navigate. wide variety of animals and they did a good job having spaces where the animals are visible.

If you have whole day to spend but you don't know what to do go to the Zoo! Variety of animals, peacocks running around, looking gorgeous, monkeys doing monkey business 😂, bog cats dominating the crowd, snakes wrapped up in their own world...and more. Seriously... don't think twice. Oh and take a bus. They charge for the ticket AND the parking.

It was a hot day, so we mixed indoor and outdoor attractions. The swamp exhibit was a highlight — being right underneath the birds made for a really unique, up-close experience. The primate house is always my favorite, and the otters swimming around were an unexpected treat. We also caught the lions lazing about, a tiger gnawing on a bone, and the sea lions barking away. We used our stroller for almost the whole visit, which made getting around easy with a toddler. The only exception was the dolphin show, where they had convenient stroller parking right outside so we didn’t have to worry about it. My son had a blast at the petting zoo and spraying the plants in the indoor play area — a great way to burn off some energy. Concessions were just okay, nothing special, but we found a no-sugar option for him to try a few bites of Dip’n Dots. Overall a fun, easy, stroller-friendly outing with a toddler. 5 stars!

Brookfield Zoo Chicago was one of the most enjoyable and memorable places we visited during our stay in Chicago. The zoo is beautifully organized, spacious, clean, and very pleasant to explore, with a great balance between animal habitats, family activities, educational experiences, and places to simply walk, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere. One of the highlights of our visit was the train ride around the zoo. A very special thank you to Mr. Mike S. from Guest Services, who was both driving the train and narrating the tour. He did an excellent job explaining the different animal enclosures, pointing out key areas of the zoo, and giving us a clear sense of how the habitats, visitor routes, and recreational components are connected. His narration was friendly, calm, informative, and easy to follow, which made the ride enjoyable and meaningful. It is clear that Brookfield Zoo is not only a place to see animals, but also a place to learn, connect with nature, and appreciate the care behind each experience. The combination of wildlife, landscape, visitor services, and family-friendly attractions makes it a wonderful full-day destination. Highly recommended for tourists, families, and Chicago residents alike. A must-visit place in the Chicago area, whether you are an animal lover, visiting with children, or simply looking for a meaningful and enjoyable day outdoors.

We had an awesome visit for our first time. We had beautiful weather for February. The variety of animals was great. It's amazing to see God's creation up close. We will definitely be back again. I think some parts of the zoo could use some updating as exhibits are showing their age.

A nice zoo with a new interactive map and well made dinosaurs dispersed throughout. I spent over 4 hours walking and didn't get to see everything. We parked in the North entrance and were able to walk right in no line Sunday morning a few minutes after opening. I would recommend bringing snacks and water they do have water fill stations in most of the buildings.