Meet us where you are one with the wild
With three acres of opportunity to interact with animals, this exhibit is an animal lover's dream.
This outdoor space is designed to allow for direct encounters with animals. You will also learn about animal welfare and conservation.
Wallaby Enclosure:
A grassy area where Bennett’s Wallabies from the Australian Outback roam! Watch them hop around and, if you’re lucky, they’ll wander over to meet you. Sit in the Australian-themed patio in the center of the exhibit to take it all in.
Goat Encounter:
Feed and pet the cute Nigerian Dwarf Goats!
Aviary:
Sit as birds fly freely around you in a 6,500-square-foot aviary filled with colorful winged creatures. You can even feed them! (Or you can watch from the video monitor at the entrance.)
Different animals are constantly rotating into the Hamill Family Wild Encounters exhibit, so every visit is a different experience!
The Hamill Family Wild Encounters exhibit is open from 10am to 5pm daily. During the winter months, this exhibit is often free!
Tip: Arrive early when the animals are less tired to better your chances to interact with them.
Entry costs for the Brookfield Zoo:
Adults: $24.95
Seniors: (65 and older) $19.95
Children: (3* to 11) $17.95 *free admission for children under 2
Military Personnel: Admission is free for active, reservist, and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Annual members enjoy free admission.
Additional cost to enter the Hamill Family Wild Encounters is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 3-11. (Free for Unlimted Members. $3 for Basic and Plus Memberships.)
Bonus: Buy seed sticks to feed the parakeets for $2 inside the aviary.
The animals are the guides at Hamill Family Wild Encounters. Pet the goats, feed the parakeets, watch the wallabies and reindeers frolic.
Zoo staff is on hand to help introduce you to the animals.
The Hamill Family Wild Encounters exhibit is located on the south side of the Chicago Zoological Society near the Hamill Family Play Zoo. Parking at the south entrance will provide the easiest access to this area of the zoo. Parking at the south entrance lot is $3 for members and $14 for non-members.
