It's always so much fun going to the zoo. This is one of the more bigger shoes here in Chicago. And I think it's the first time I've been here again in like 8 years. I was so happy that I was able to experience feeding the giraffes and that they actually feed them a whole Leaf of lettuce it's a bit of a on the pricey side $15 you get about half of a bunch of lettuce but to be able to feed them the whole Leaf it was amazing because other places you would only get like strips of carrots. We were there a bit early and so most if not some of the animals were all out and that was so nice to see so I did enjoy it a lot. The only downside was the food the food trucks were closed and so the only choice we had was the outdoor one in the cafeteria until we did choose the outdoor one and the line wasn't even that long but the two boys that were there I guess they were new and it was a part-time thing it was so disorganized that we waited almost an hour for our food. The food was okay for Zoo food but I would eat it again it's just the long wait. But this suit was amazing I highly recommend feeding the giraffes I wish they also offered more animal encounters like feeding the goats and whatnot but I would definitely be coming back. Happy exploring! read more

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Having visited zoos in various parts of the USA, I would rate Brookfield Zoo somewhere in the middle. It has both strong and weak points. The wide scope of their collection is impressive. The newer and recently refurbished habitats, particularly Tropic World, The Living Coast and The Swamp, display animals in remarkably naturalistic settings that have been enhanced and updated through the years. I visit Brookfield Zoo maybe every 5 or 6 years, and what frustrates me the most is the significant percentage of attractions that always seem to be closed for renovation. Or, for whatever reason, some categories of animals might not be available for public viewing. How odd that this zoo has not had any elephants since 2010 (also, they no longer breed baboons). During our most recent visit, roughly one-third of the attractions were unavailable and some of the public areas appeared neglected, e.g. cracked pavement and uninspired landscaping. The Roosevelt Fountain centerpiece may look impressive from the air, but at ground level the tall weed-like growth pretty much obscures the view. By comparison, the flora at the Milwaukee Zoo is more attractive. A long-overdue overhaul of food services was completed since my previous visit. Graze Kitchen offers a varied menu which includes - surprise! - healthy options. A chicken salad wrap, although not cheap, was actually one of the better meals I've experienced at a zoo. But this venue should have been centrally located; instead, it's an arduously long hike from any entrance gate. Other options, albeit with limited menus heavy on junk food, are more accessible. Outside vendors include The Original Rainbow Cone, which has two food trucks stationed inside the park this summer (ask for directions). The gift shops with their generous play areas for children are very inviting. Although subsidized by tax dollars and private donations, this zoo is expensive. Parking runs $17-$20 on top of admission, which ranges from $24 to $33 (much of the pavement is in deplorable condition). Once inside the park, there are additional fees for special attractions such as the butterflies, the dolphin show, and the Hamill Family Play Zoo. Scooter rental costs $35. Considering that portions of the park are in less-than-pristine condition and several attractions might be closed for whatever reason, the cost of spending a day here is excessive. We rode on the 30-minute Motor Safari tour ($6). We had hoped this tour would include the furthest reaches of the park, but the route was shorter than we anticipated. The aging trams put out a noxious exhaust; replacement with battery-powered vehicles is long overdue. Moreover, the tour guide misinformed visitors by stating that camel humps contain water. Egad, no, they contain fatty tissue (Google it)! Given the great distances that have to be covered on foot, I think it would make much more sense to replace the Safari tour with shuttles that operate on a fixed route every 15-20 minutes, with step-on/step off stations throughout the park (included in the admission price). read more

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We took our son here for his first trip to the zoo during the week and boy was it crowded. It was super hot and all of the indoor exhibits were super muggy I'm sure to remain temperament for the animals but it left for little places to go to break up the insane heat. The bathrooms were cleaner than most so we were super grateful for that! We loved that there were so many animals actually in their exhibits unlike other zoos we've been to. The animals were actually rolling around and running around playing so my son loved seeing them. The food is super expensive, and any souvenirs were even crazier. We wanted ice cream but various places had their machines not working, for the amount of kids and the heat it was a let down but we appreciated the zoo for being so clean and shady. Parking is $17 in the north lot and $20 in the south. There were tons of busses but still ample parking. Overall a great visit. Be sure to check your local libraries for museum and zoo passes! read more

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We went july 20, 2026, and honestly have no idea where any of the animals were? The kids basically only say the gorillas, as they were the only animals out, some bison, and the bulk of the animals they got to see were all in the penguin area in the aquarium the live size dinosaurs are cool, but other than that didn't see any animals, and for the amount of walking you have to do to get from one exhibit to another, it was pretty disappointing read more

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Awesome zoo! This is huge and there's so much to see. Kids under 3 are free so my son didn't need a ticket! Everything is well marked and they have a big variety of animals. They also have a playground and splash pad and places to eat. Really fun zoo and worth the trip out here for! We all had a blast! read more

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This review is for the Glow Wild exhibit this spring. I HIGHLY recommend checking this exhibit out before it's gone. It went ABOVE and BEYOND expectations. This wasn't just a few installations, they had dozens all over the park! They were divided into categories like sea animals and African animals, fantasy creatures, etc. Simply amazing! We went on an April evening and the weather was perfect. They have snacks available, special glow cups and free rides on the Ferris wheel and carousel. It wasn't over-crowded either. Many of the main animal exhibits are closed for the evening but the main event are the glowing animal sculptures which are pure magic. It gave off Paris vibes. This goes for a few more weeks into May. Don't miss it! read more

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This was my first time going and I had an amazing time. There is so much to do and see I highly recommend you carve out your whole day for this experience or else your going to miss out! I love that they have open exhibits instead of cages like some places, it makes the whole thing so much more humane and natural and the animals are so much more at ease. I also like that they rehabilitate the offspring that they can. There is a bunch of Education to go along with the animals so you can learn as well as view the amazing animals, the only bummer is the tiger decided to hide so I didnt get to see him but thats not the zoos fault its going to be hit and miss of course. Definitely recommend if your visiting the area and its a nice day, you dont want to go if its raining read more

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We went here today for a field trip. It's a great place for the kids but because this was my first time going here, the zoo is very small. You will get done with it pretty quickly especially if you have busy kids. They have a few carnival attractions like a Ferris wheel in a carousel. They didn't have too many food options. The food court of course is overpriced, dipping dots were nine dollars for a small. We were allowed to bring sack lunches and refillable water bottles. The staff was very nice. The park was fairly clean. They do have some animatronic dinosaurs, they give 90s. This zoo felt pretty safe for families because of how small it is and it's easy to navigate. read more

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We love Brookfield Zoo, we've been members for years. The zoo is enormous, and has many great animals. My favorite section is Tropic World. It's amazing in there, and there are many cool animals. I like to look for the sloths, ant eater, different types of primates, organutangs, gibbons, and otters. The new outdoor section is incredible! They have many great animals. The downside is the zoo is very spread out and it's a lot of walking. With kids you really have to decide which half of the zoo you're going to see that day. We usually choose the side with the big cats, which is cool because the big cats are great. I especially love the clouded leopards and the leopards. But then we don't get to see the bears or penguins or giraffes because they're far away. The ferris wheel is a fun addition. The food at the zoo is okay. read more

Brookfield Zoo was a surprisingly big zoo. The animals were a bit more lively here than at Lincoln Park Zoo, which I would hope for with a thirty dollar admission fee. The parking lot filled up quickly and the available spots depended on which gate you entered. The entire zoo took nearly three hours to explore thoroughly because some exhibits required a 30 to 45 minute wait to enter. The Living Coast showcased aquatic and flying animals. Interacting with the birds up close was surreal, although it was difficult to see the underwater creatures due to the scratched glass. The penguin viewing area was especially enjoyable and we had to wait for the crowd to thin out to get a clear view. The Reptiles and Birds section was not the largest area, but the animals looked content. I enjoyed how open the bird exhibits were. The birds flew freely around the entire building. The Great Bear Wilderness had a playful bear that entertained guests by interacting through the glass. He even had a ball he pushed around. The Dolphin Bay had a line for the shows that was long, but the underwater viewing area felt like more than enough on its own. I wished the dolphins had more enrichment or toys in their tanks, but watching them glide by was still fascinating. The Sea Lion Cove offered a similarly active experience. The sea lions happily swam in circles, and there were several spots to observe them. They also had ledges to hop onto and slide from, which made the area entertaining to watch. The Big Cats section ended up being my favorite. Surprisingly, it was the smaller cats that stood out the most. Some were curled up in their hammocks, while others wrestled playfully with each other. The African habitat, however, felt rather small. Many of the animals appeared again in separate spaced out areas, which made the section feel repetitive compared to other exhibits. If there was anything I would skip, it would be the Dragonfly Marsh. The trail was muddy and not consistently cleared and clouds of bugs filled the area. Walking through it did not lead to any particularly interesting animal sightings. The seasonal Butterflies exhibit required an extra fee, but it felt underwhelming compared to the butterfly house at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The line moved very slowly and the butterflies did not have much space to fly. This led to families repeatedly shouting to keep children from stepping on them. I would not purchase any of the add ons. The base experience was more than satisfying and the extra event I tried was not worth the cost or the wait. The smaller mammals and aquatic animals were the most memorable parts of the zoo, while I would visit Lincoln Park Zoo for larger African animals. read more

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I brought my family today. I rented an electric scooter as well. The roads and trails are not kept up at all, and it caused quite a bit of Perkins which caused me a lot of pain. The scooter also made a very annoying noise the entire time. Next, at least half the animal's weren't there. Literally only ONE was there that the other 4 of us were excited to see. A good number of the animals that looked undernourished and sick. The sea lion habitat looks gross. Dark brown covering 3/4 of the tank.  Wallaby and goat exhibits both closed with no explanation. No gorillas ???? No giraffes???  No African painted dogs??? No kangaroos??? All of the glass in the exhibits are filthy. The zoo looks dilapidated. I brought my concerns up to a manager. Everyone at guest services actually gave us attitude. I was refused any type of discount. She gave us tickets. She also never gave me back my receipt. They saw me with the scooter as well. Yet they let me go over to the place I rented it, where it said to go back to guest service.  They say they don't give any refunds whatsoever... just another ticket??? read more

This review is specifically for the holiday zoolights. My partner and I took our 2.5 and 4.5 old boys for some festival activities. We went for the zoolights the weekend after Christmas because it was a relatively warmer evening. I have been to the "Brookfield Zoo" a few times before, so I was familiar with the layout for the most part. I found a promo code "COCOA" to save $5 per ticket for admission. However, I really did think they were quite pricy for non-members. Of course, I also reserved a parking pass online as well in advance. Many of the lights were interactive and photo-friendly. My kids running inside the light maze for several times. The maze was nothing complicated, but it was enough to entertain these young kids and their families. My older one enjoyed the "tic tac toe" light setup since he often asked us to play with on his tablet. Patrons were courteous and no one seemed to occupy the entire station and everyone took the turn to try it out. Their main restaurant was open and were busy when we walked in around 5pm. Nevertheless, we were able to find a table without much effort. There were some indoor exhibits open during the zoolight hours, such as the dolphins and some other sea creatures, just in case we wanted to take a break from walking outdoor for an extended period of time. Parking spot wasn't hard to find, yet my suggestion would be to remember what section you have parked because one could easily get lost if not paying attention. Oveeall, the "Brookfield Zoo" zoolights cater more toward the younger generation. We may consider coming back for another year or two. read more

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I didn't expect much since it is free. But they are way better than I expected. First of all this zoo is big like a regular zoo and many animals to see from large and small species. We saw penguins being fed. I liked that I could see lions and giraffes through glass windows. The facility is a bit old but it's understandable as it is free admission. We easily spent about 3 hours. Definitely recommend this place. read more

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Very run down environment. Many exhibit areas fenced off and boarded up. Very disappointing number of animals overall. This place isn't what it used to be. I won't be going back. read more

The zoo itself is fine and the animals seem to be well taken care of. The admission price is about what we expected, and even the parking fees are understandable, though the parking lot itself leaves a lot to be expected. I spent the day pushing my mother-in-law's wheelchair up and down hills and over cracked pavement, that was disappointing. By the time we left I thought someone was going to have to wheel me out to the car too. I still hurt, and it's been a month. The food is outrageously expensive. I understand they have to charge enough to support the zoo, but I can't imagine trying to take a family for the day and feeding them there. A couple of the biggest exhibits were closed. I wish we could have seen them but then again I'm also glad we didn't add anymore walking to the day. I couldn't have survived it. Other exhibits we skipped because there was yet another fee on top of the $100 we'd already spent getting inside. So, yes we had fun. A big shout out to the bears for putting on an unscripted show for the m-i-l, it made the whole trip worthwhile. If you go, wear comfortable shoes, eat before you go in, take ibuprofen,stay hydrated (you can refill your water bottles inside), and have plenty of money on hand. read more

Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Zoos Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

The zoo was fine; I do recall it being bigger as a kid (but that is kinda normal) with more exhibits and no liquor...especially at a place for kids like the zoo! However, I asked a person at the vendor watering hole/Bites and Brews today 8/3/2026 at 3:23pm across from Dolphin Discovery, where the North Gate Exit was, and I minimally explained that we were really a little lost and not sure. The guy there told my 8 year old and I, "look at the map over there!" I then said as I was shaking my head, "so you don't know where it is or you just dont want to tell me..." He cut me off and said, "Look lady I don't know!." he was very rude, but I continued and stated, " I guess if there was an emergency here you would not help us either and my daughter and I walked away." My 8 year old wanted to know why the man was so rude to us and didn't understand and honestly neither do I. I am making a suggestion to her school to bypass and go to Lincoln Park instead. If he was rude like this to me, then there are more like him, they may have even hired him knowing he to be this way! read more

I love everything about this Zoo. From the moment that you walk up, you can't help but smile. They keep it sparkling clean. The animals are all happy and healthy. They make you feel as if you traveled around the world as you visit each animal exhibit. I love animals more than anyone and this zoo is a one of a kind amazing experience! I'd suggest it to everyone that I know. Also, they have fair prices on toys and treats. So, make sure to take something home with you to remember this unforgettable experience. read more

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Two large parking lots...the North is a bit further of a walk and costs $17 to park, while the South is a bit closer to the zoo and costs $20 to park. You can buys tickets online in advance...or at the gate...they are the same price either way. $30 for adults and $21 for children. Same with parking. The zoo was practically empty on the Tuesday early afternoon (12pm arrival) that we visited. At the North entrance, there is a souvenir shop, information desk and a place where you can rent carts/trolleys for toddlers/kids. Prices ranged from $12-20ish after returned deposit. There are only a few indoor exhibits where strollers/trolleys were restricted...but all of the outdoor and some of the other exhibits allowed them in. There are lots of animals and interesting exhibits to see throughout this large zoo. Be sure to plan your route accordingly. Of particular interest, we enjoyed the big cats, underwater dolphin tank, bears, and underwater fish/shark area. Lots of bird poop around on the floor throughout the zoo...mind your step! There were a bunch of animals that were out (understandably due to the colder weather) but also a few exhibits that were closed and under construction (Tropical World). May be best to visit when the weather is warmer...most of the animals would be out then. read more

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It's been well over 3 decades since I last visited this zoo. A lot has changed but they also kept a lot of nostalgia ! First & foremost, parking is under 20.00-best to use cash-NOTE: this is the only cash accepted in the park. Once you pass, everything is CASHLESS. There is a plethora of spaces to choose from. They offer free days certain months that you can look up online. Usually? It's 30.00 to get in even if you're a Chicago resident. The layout of the park itself is rather simple- a giant circle within a circle - however, it gets confusing for a first timer/long timer. They do offer several maps throughout the park and you can download it on your phone with a QR code. Mine wouldn't download, fun! The facility within itself it gorgeous, relatively well kept for the most part except for empty handless sanitizer & overfilled garbage cans from time to time. The animals also seem well taken care of- although most looked very sad - heartbreaking. However, most were very comfortable with performing for an audience and their facilities were up-kept. I will say, they need a bigger facility for the dolphins - wayyy too confined of a tank for them. I specifically remember going into their stores or all of the indoor exhibits that would BLAST you with cold air upon entering. Not any more. They got rid of that. It wasn't until the furthest exhibits (towards the end) that we actually started experiencing more cool air conditioning. It's very rough if it's significantly hot out! Upon entering, we walked rather far to immediately locate drinks AND OR AIR CONDITIONING until said drink could be found. It wasn't until about 20 min in we found a small (only option) blue Powerade for 8.00?! Not even the giant sized one?! I digress.. Please note that drinks are allowed in the park however there are signs to get rid of your drinks before entering an indoor exhibit. Something I had to re-learn in the aftermath. I will say, they kept the bear machines and the penny squishing machines (the latter was only for show and no longer works) - time portal for sure. Key take aways? : go on a free day, bring a drink (or three) with you walking into the zoo- it's a LONG walk of nothing in the heat for a good half hour. The first exhibit we came across was the safari/rainforest. That muggy hot air atmosphere with little to no AC while being dehydrated is not the play. Possibly bring a fan with you?! Yes. Also, don't buy anything in there- a SMALL stuffed animal is 30.00- lol lol. No cash accepted. Wear comfortable clothing. read more

First time at the Brookfield Zoo with my wife! The cost of two tickets and the parking pass for the north gate was $79.90 - purchasing beforehand via the website buying was super easy. Bathrooms and benches distributed throughout the zoo for comfort. The zoo is massive so be prepared to walk! - nice mix animals to see. read more

Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Zoos Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

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I've been coming to Brookfield Zoo since I was an infant -- literally before I could walk, talk, or properly point at animals. Decades later, I'm still here, walking, talking, and pointing at animals like it's my full-time job. This zoo is the gold standard. You can tell because every other zoo I've ever visited makes me say, "Hmm... nice try, but where's the giant anteater?" The layout, the exhibits, the staff -- all top-tier. The animals look happy, the snacks are dangerously good, and the Mold-A-Rama machines are basically my childhood investment portfolio. Brookfield isn't just a zoo; it's a rite of passage for every Chicagoland kid. Whether you're watching the dolphins, trying to spot the elusive snow leopard, or pretending not to get lost on purpose, it's pure magic. If I could give it six stars, I would -- one extra for all the squirrels who think they're part of the exhibit. read more

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This is quite a big zoo. We've gone several times, and usually only cover part of the zoo. To do the entire thing took 6 hours. It can be hard to find an easy way to cover the entire zoo without some backtracking. There's hundreds of exhibits (both indoor and outdoor), a dinosaur trail, a carousel, a little kids' area, a playground, a petting zoo area, a dolphin show - and we even got to see them feed penguins. Some of the buildings are new; several date back to the 1930s. There is something for everyone - so take a good look at the map and decide what you want to see. And ensure you end up at a midday stop for food. read more

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As fans of the AZA my wife and I looked forward visiting the Brookfield Zoo. The visit did not disappoint. We got there early so all of the animals out active. The enclosures are a good size yet able to see the animals. The Okapi area had trees for the shade for them. We visited about a before the opening of the new primate area with access for the animals to go inside and outside as they wish. There is a train tour of the zoo, and a ferris wheel. We'll worth the visit. read more

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I liked the giraffe. It seems like they do take a good care of their animals, my kid liked it too

I hadn't been here for a while, so I was excited to come back and see what was going on! For the animals we were able to see, it was pretty cool. There's peacocks and other birds just walking around the park. The geese were pretty entertaining too. We got to see the giraffes, penguins, and big cats. They're doing construction, so some exhibits were closed, namely the monkeys. The whole experience just didn't feel worth the $30 price tag, plus parking, plus all the upcharge for food and drinks. There weren't really any good food options either. Nothing peaked my interest, and their vegan/vegetarian options were very few. The only cool thing was that we saw one of the lions roar! If you're in Chicago, it's probably better to just go to the zoo that's in the city. At least that one's free. read more

Big disclaimer - my wife gets us tickets and parking for free, so it may be a bit biased. But even with that, I think this zoo is worth it even for paying customers. We have a toddler, so I was happy to see they have two playgrounds in the zoo to burn off extra energy, and a family play building. That building is great to cool off in and take a seat on a hot day, and they have bathrooms that are more kid friendly with toilets, urinals, and sinks closer to the ground. There's even a small play animal hospital that several kids were having fun with, curing some sick stuffed animals. Food prices are what you'd expect, but you can pretty much bring anything in, so we had a small cooler with us with drinks, snacks, and some hot dogs we warmed up before coming for a small lunch. There are a couple picnic areas, and the one we found near the bear exhibit was actually near some resting bison which was a fun spot. Like any zoo there were a few exhibits closed, but we still managed to see dolphins, zebras, a lion, penguins, a bunch of reptiles, flamingos, and more. I highly recommend downloading the zoo app as it has a handy map and list of activities to do with a schedule. Since it was the 4th of July there weren't that many activities, but we did manage to feed a giraffe some lettuce for $15, which led to some great pictures. The place is gigantic with lots to do, and even if we had to pay it'd still be worth it. I do love the Lincoln Park Zoo in the city since it's free, but this is a great choice for a family day out. read more

Crowded and dirty. No one is maintaining the animals environment. I will not be back.

Nice place to visit. Probably skip it in the summer when it is hot and humid. The buildings don't feel very cool and it is hard to cool off. They have lots of water bottle refilling stations around, which was nice. But, the water does taste strange after it warms up. It is a very large place, which is nice because there are many animals to see. It of best if you can go in the morning to maximize your time there. If you walk slow and take time to see each animal, you won't be able to visit all of them before they start closing the exhibits. They were closing the exhibits 30 min before closing. Parking is an additional cost to the zoo tickets. They have a goat petting zoo and an area where you can buy bird feed to feed a bunch of parakeets. You can also buy food to feed the goats. There is also an enclosure where there is a wallaby that will bounce around. There is also a carousel, water fountain, and Ferris wheel. The free roaming peacocks are fun to watch but they are loud. There was also a helmeted guinea fowl, along with a family of Canadian goose roaming around too. The black breasted leaf turtle was interesting to see as well. The penguins were really noisy. The scarlet macaw also had a very loud ear splitting cry too. The African dogs were colorful. I thought they were hyenas at first. Most animals were sleeping but at least they could be seen. read more

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I have been going to this zoo since I was a little girl. Since being back in Illinois, we have been here twice. We would go more, however, the drive is well over an hour each way. This being said, both times we have been to Brookfield zoo has been a pleasure! The first time, we had the opportunity to watch the giraffe feeding and we talked with the giraffe keeper, who was so kind and informative. The second time we went (March) the primate exhibit was open and wow, what a great job they did! The monkeys appeared to be so happy swinging and playing, and the orangoutangs were fabulous as were the gorillas. Again, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the primate keepers, and she could not have been more kind and informative. Just about all of the exhibits were open. Oh, and the Polar Bears..... WOW.... did we get a show from one of them, swimming and swimming, just a complete show off! Thank you to the staff at Brookfield Zoo for making our experience so memorable and mostly, for caring so well for the animals. read more

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Well, not to be too harsh because I was very hot while walking around, it is summer. Parking is $17. Ok, fine. Fix the holes in the parking lot. Also kill the weeds! Adults are charged $27 per person- not cheap but what is anymore. My biggest complaint is the overall maintenance - could be much better. There are some beautiful areas being redone either way new flowers and bushes - but lots of walkways in less than great shape. Also, it was nice to have an area that the kids could play in the water fountain. However, the concrete was dirty, there was some mildew and was generally in need of a good cleaning crew. This play area would take me a hour to clean up by myself - the zoo should never let it get this bad! read more

Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Example of the dirty water play area. - Zoos Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

Went for the holiday lights, as we have every year for the last several years. This year was fantastic. They have increased the lights drastically, and it is now starting to rival the lights at places like the Cincinnati Zoo. Absolutely worth the price of admission. read more

Brookfield Zoo was a pleasure as always. Although tickets are $30 for adults I think you get your money's worth. If you're a Chicago resident for sure keep an eye out for those free days. Brookfield is huge with plenty to see both indoors and out. When it got a little toasty outside we took shelter in many of the indoor attractions. We saw a lot of animals out and about and even got to pet/feed some goats! None of the animal attractions were too crowded, which I appreciated. I think the food options are a bit lacking for such a big establishment, but you have your typical bodegas selling pretzels and such. It took my group 3 tries to find Dippin Dots! But in the end the search and wait was well worth it on the hot summer day. I will note, the worker scooped barely a 3/4 of the cup full. So the portion was a bit lacking for $8 in my opinion. Overall, great experience and 10/10 would recommend. read more

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I highly recommend visiting the butterfly exhibit if it's open. The abundance of butterflies flying and landing all around you is an experience like no other. I'd say it was the highlight of our zoo visit and I will visit again read more

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Such a great place to spend the day (helps if it's a beautiful day). A lot of open space. Ferris wheel. Carousel. More animals than you could possibly visit in a day, so pick and choose. We did the penguin feeding adventure. A little pricey ($150) but it's just you (up to two people) feeding the penguins INSIDE the habitat - they pull the fish right out of your hand. There's a less expensive encounter but that's a larger group of people. Fun collection of Mold-a-Rama machines for those of us of a certain age. read more

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This is a wonderful well-run zoo approximately 30 minutes west of downtown Chicago. Just a few tips that were helpful to us when we went: -Parking is an extra $17 or $20 collected at the gate (not included in the price of your admission ticket). -Many of the excellent exhibits are indoors and strollers are not allowed into the buildings and will need to be left outside at your own risk (so don't bring your expensive strollers to this zoo). -The food is very expensive and just ok, for example we paid $22 for 2 pretzels and 1 drip coffee. The food at the food court is approximately $16 a sandwich or entree per person not including the cost of a drink. -Our favorite animal encounters from the trip were the lions, giraffes, zebra (including a baby zebra), camels, gorillas, and bears! read more

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A delightful zoo filled with not only spectacular exhibits but wonderful things to keep everyone in the party engaged. The dolphin show was a highlight for my little and we LOVED how educational each exhibit was. Ample shade as we strolled through in mid July and plenty of spots to stop and take a rest. The artwork throughout was a beautiful touch as well. read more

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The Brookfield Zoo is amazing! I loved every exhibit and how every animal had plenty of room to roam around. This place is very kid friendly and adults love it too! I'd tell everyone to go here to have a once in a lifetime experience. Everything is very fair priced including admission. So, come on down to Brookfield Zoo. You won't regret it! Especially if it's during the holidays. They go all out! read more

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Today's visit to the Brookfield Zoo was for a blood donation through Red Cross and it worked out great, as my wife joined me. We made it a day trip and enjoyed our trip to the zoo and different animals. They have a Ferris wheel, and we really enjoyed the ride the guys were not busy, so we did get a longer ride. After a great day here and donation of blood I was ready for a beverage at home, and that was the topping of the day, drinks in our yard with my wife, Sheryl is the best. read more

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First time visitor. This is a great Zoo for kids. Kids everywhere, underfoot, in strollers, yelling, running ... As a Zoo, unfortunately Brookfield is mediocre. Signage and maps are incomplete and confusing. The habitats are very well done. No more iron bar cages Unfortunately, only one or two animals of a species. Two zebras does not make a herd. Beautiful building for penguins and there were SEVEN! 7 lonely penguins in the penguin building! When we visited: NO elephants. NO monkeys or apes. NO hippos etc. What kind of Zoo doesn't have elephants or monkeys. The only species collection that was truly world class --Great collection of Canada Geese. They were everywhere, as was goose sh*t -- everywhere. I was expecting more from the Brookfield Zoo read more

We have visited the Zoo on weekday (Thursday) in May. It was the last week of school, so it wasn't crowded and there was no waiting time. I came with BIG expectations. Have heard the best things about the Zoo, and thought it is million time better than one in Lincoln Park ( I don't see the reason why would you pay for tickets if it is not better). Unfortunately, I can't say it is better. Zoo is totally ok, interesting, nice, very well maintained, but - nothing better than one in Lincoln Park. I expected to see some more species that we couldn't see in Lincoln, but no, many of them were relocated due to special conditions they need or some other reason. Anyway- they weren't there. So, everything is ok, nice way to spend day with family/friends, have some fun, see different animals, but for no change you can do it in other Zoo, too. If you bring your own food, there are some spots where you can rest and have a meal, but if you don't - there are some places where you can buy food too. All in all- worth to see it. read more

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