Planning Your Trip to Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Planning a day at Brookfield Zoo Chicago is easy and ensures a fun-filled experience, but there are a few things you need to know to make the most of your visit. From understanding ticketing options to knowing the best times to visit and what to bring, a little preparation can go a long way. Let’s take a look at some essential tips.

Brookfield Zoo Hours

There is always something exciting going on at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The zoo is open every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Buildings close 30 minutes before the zoo, and times vary by habitat. Brookfield Zoo hours are extended in the summer, opening at 9:30 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. 

Brookfield Zoo Chicago hours vary when the zoo hosts special events, such as the Summer Concert Series, annual ZooBrew, Boo! at the Zoo, Wines in the Wild, Reindeer Run, and Holiday Magic.

Location and Directions

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located at First Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago. The zoo is easy to reach by car (I-290 West or I-55 South takes about 25 minutes) or train. Metra BNSF Line is a relaxed 25-minute trip from Chicago’s Union Station to the zoo stop (Hollywood Station) or Riverside Station, then take a short walk to the Brookfield Zoo Chicago entrance.

North Gate Main Entrance

8400 31st Street Brookfield, IL 60513

South Gate Entrance

3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513

Admission and Tickets

Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers a variety of captivating exhibits and attractions, making it an ideal place to observe nature and wildlife and a wonderful experience for visitors of all ages. Make your entry process easier by purchasing tickets in advance; visit BrookfieldZoo.org to buy tickets online.

General admission pricing: 

Adults: $29.95

Seniors, 65 and over: $24.95

Children 3 to 11: $20.95

Zoo admission and all available attractions are free for children aged two and under. 

Parking is not included in admission; it is $17 at the North Gate and $20 at the South Gate. 

If you previously reserved tickets and parking for your visit, you can enter Brookfield Zoo Chicago any time during that day. If you have a general admission pass with a barcode, a member guest pass, a Chicago Public Library Museum Pass, or a Museum Adventure Pass, you can bring that directly to the zoo entrance; no reservation is required.

Membership Benefits

There's a lot of ground to cover at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, and it's big enough that you can come back again and again and still see new things each time. Brookfield Zoo Chicago members receive unlimited free admission and parking and many other benefits (depending on membership level), including guest admission tickets, ticketed attractions, education and special event admission discounts, and restaurant discounts. While you are planning your Brookfield Zoo Chicago adventure, check out BrookfieldZoo.org for the benefits of becoming a zoo member. 

Free Days

On limited days in January and February Brookfield Zoo Chicago provides a budget-friendly outing for families, nature enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an exciting winter adventure. These Free Days include entry to the wildlife and interactive exhibits at Hamill Family Play Zoo and Hamill Family Wild Encounters.

Things to Do at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Major exhibits include the popular Tropic World exhibit, where guests can still visit gorillas, orangutans, South American monkeys, and other primates while their habitat is undergoing an extensive remodel and expansion, and Great Bear Wilderness, a National Park-like experience on the zoo's West Mall, where guests practically walk side-by-side with bison and stand eye-to-eye with grizzlies and polar bears.

Experience wild animals through breathtaking Virtual Reality Experiences that take guests (note: riders must be at least 40" tall) on a Gorilla Trek through the forests of Rwanda, the Great Migration, traversing East Africa's grasslands with wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes, or Flight of the Mantas, a deep dive under the crystal waters off the coast of Mozambique with majestic manta rays.

A new 3,000-square-foot habitat on the north side of Hamill Family Nature Plaza, North American Prairie Aviary features regal-looking sandhill cranes that demonstrate their beak-probing behavior, and the lush vegetation serves as a haven for foraging and nesting prairie chickens. The aviary and its winged inhabitants bring awareness to the conservation challenges facing native bird species. Entry to the aviary is free with zoo admission.

For the very first time, Koalas are living at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Both males, Brumby and Willum, enjoy their new habitat at Hamill Family Play Zoo, open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. These too-cute-to-be-believed marsupials spend their nights chewing on eucalyptus before tucking themselves into the nook of a tree for the 18- to 22-hour nap necessary to digest their dinner and conserve the little energy gained from eating leaves virtually devoid of nutritional value. 

Hop aboard the Motor Safari for a narrated zoo tour; join animal care specialists for daily Zoo Chats about everything from birds and reptiles to bears, camels, and rhinos; or book an exclusive animal encounter with Wild Connections. These interactive experiences, including shark feedings, macaw playtime, an otter adventure, and penguin encounters, provide an unforgettable up-close experience with popular Brookfield Zoo Chicago residents. 

You can't leave Brookfield Zoo Chicago without watching bottlenose dolphins show off their intelligence and agility with aerial displays and other clever tricks during Dolphins in Action. You can also learn about dolphin social structures and adaptations and world conservation efforts. Purchase tickets ahead for this captivating presentation, which is scheduled Monday through Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. at Seven Seas.

Dining at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

When it is time to refuel, two main restaurants, BZ Red Hots and Café del Sol, offer comparable menus. Both offer "greens & grains" vegetarian bowls, burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches served with seasoned skin-on fries. Remember that BZ Red Hots is the only place in the park where pizza is available — this might be a deciding factor, especially if you're visiting with picky eaters.

Graze Grill delivers classic and inventive smash burgers — the vegetarian plantain smash "burger" substitutes a crispy smashed plantain for the Angus beef patty.  The menu also includes seasoned skin-on curly fries, cole slaw, and corn dogs. Wild Burger offers perfectly grilled burgers with creative toppings — try the "en fuego" burger with cheddar cheese, chorizo, and tangy escabeche relish — and hot dogs served with seasoned tater tots. 

You can substitute a gluten-free bun on your sandwich, dog, or burger in all zoo restaurants.

Leinie's Lodge near Carousel Plaza and Bites & Brews stations around the park offer festival favorites, cold beer, and other refreshing beverages. Cup & Cone stations at the North and South Gate tram stops serve ice cream and coffee drinks, including cold brew. For other sweet treats, you'll find Dippin' Dots carts, Edith's Snow Cones, and Sweety Bird. Hours of operation at each food location vary.

On busy summer days, plan to sit down to lunch at 11:30; you'll avoid long lines and score a table more quickly. On rainy days, attendance is usually lower, but remember that indoor seating fills up quickly. Then, it's better to head to BZ Red Hots, which has more indoor space. For added convenience, try mobile ordering via a QR code displayed on signs around the zoo or through a third-party online ordering website.

If you prefer to bring your own food, there are several spots with picnic tables, although they may not be fully protected from bad weather. Be aware that glass containers are not allowed in the park and that while alcohol is sold at various locations, bringing alcoholic beverages into the park is prohibited. Grills are not permitted anywhere on the zoo grounds.

Additional Activities & Seasonal Event Favorites

Family Play Programs include Seedlings, an hour-long “nature play group” that introduces children (ages 1-3) to nature through play experiences, songs, and meeting a weekly animal visitor. The session registration fee includes four weekly classes intended for toddlers and a caregiver adult at the Hamill Family Play Zoo. 

For older children (ages 4-14), Zoo Camp explorers learn about animals and nature in a fun, engaging, age-appropriate setting. Weekly full- and half-day sessions include nature hikes, animal observations and encounters, games, and crafts led by skilled counselors.

There is magic in the air at Brookfield Zoo Chicago during the holiday season. Chicago’s longest-running lights festival, Holiday Magic, includes plenty of family activities, entertainment that celebrates the season, and over two million twinkling LED lights! During this zoo-wide event, held on select dates in November and December, the zoo is open only from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Know Before You Go

With over 3,000 animal residents and hundreds of acres to explore, it's essential to get acquainted with the layout before you head to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Download a Brookfield Zoo Chicago map to navigate the exhibits strategically and maximize your visit with the Brookfield Zoo Chicago app, available for iOS and Android.

Other visitor tips:

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. The zoo is large and involves a lot of walking; wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather. If it's chilly, dress in layers.

Bring or rent a stroller. If you have a toddler, a stroller is handy when they need a break from walking and for carrying their things. Strollers are not allowed in certain exhibits; however, stroller parking is conveniently available next to these exhibit entrances.

Bring sunscreen and hats. The extensive park area offers little shade, so you'll be glad you packed sunscreen and hats. Insider tip: Hold onto your hat and other items like sunglasses and keys — they can find their way into habitats!

Pack snacks and refillable water bottles. Although there are many dining (and snacking) options around the zoo, a snack in hand can help keep little ones happy while waiting for entry to an exhibit or performance.

Arrive in the morning. Crowds (and summer temps!) build throughout the day, and the animals are often most active in the morning.

Be aware of free-flight areas. When entering and exiting free-flight areas, you'll walk through two sets of doors to keep the birds safe; avoid holding the doors open for too long.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago strives to make its grounds accessible to all visitors. BZ Care Kits, which include visual schedule books, noise-deafening headphones, and name tags, are available for guests with sensory disabilities. Additionally, strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and electronic convenience vehicles (ECV) can be rented at the North and South Gates. Reservations should be made in advance online.

Meet Us at the Zoo

Whether you’re visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago for the first time, for a special seasonal event, or just returning for more wild adventures, Brookfield Zoo is the perfect way to spend the day. 

Make sure to tag us in your favorite animal photos! @VisitOakPark