MAKE NEW YEAR 'REZOOLUTIONS' AT BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO WITH FREE DAYS AND MORE
Free days offer an enriching way to create memories while getting a purposeful start to 2025;
Brookfield Zoo Chicago provides the perfect setting to inspire, support and achieve various reZOOlutions, from educational adventures and wellness goals to giving back
Brookfield, IL—Brookfield Zoo Chicago invites the community to embrace New Year “reZOOlutions” during upcoming free days—including this weekend! Now through February 27, community members can enjoy free admission at Brookfield Zoo Chicago from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Below are some ways the Zoo can help community members achieve a variety of “reZOOlutions.”
Explore the Tropics as a Staycation
Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers an opportunity to escape the winter blues with experiences that evoke the feeling of a tropical staycation. Guests can marvel at flamingos in the Swamp and watch dolphins at Seven Seas. The Living Coast also offers an immersive underwater world to explore, including a habitat that recently welcomed more than 75 new fish. Guests can see colorful species like queen angelfish and Spanish hogfish swimming alongside Pistachio the sea turtle.
Get Inspired by Natural Animal Behaviors
Guests can draw lessons from nature and the animal kingdom, such as the importance of rest and renewal from brumating turtles or the value of community as exemplified by Humboldt penguins. Honeybees also demonstrate teamwork and collaboration, encouraging guests to set goals that align with working together for the greater good.
Feed your Curiosity while Learning from Wildlife
Guests have countless opportunities to engage with the natural world at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. They can observe the fascinating dynamics of pollinators at the new honeybee observation hives or visit koalas Brumby and Willum as they experience their first Chicago winter. Every visit to the Zoo is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of wildlife and their respective ecosystems. The Zoo also offers virtual learning opportunities through programs like the Zoo Adventure Passport (ZAP!) and its resources for teachers. Various program details are available at brookfieldzoo.org/education.
Discover Health & Harmony across the Zoo’s 235 Acres
For those setting health and wellness goals, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s 235 acres offer ample space to explore. Whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll or a brisk walk, the Zoo provides a unique setting to stay active while surrounded by nature and wildlife. Such time in nature extends beyond physical benefits to also support cognitive, emotional and social development and well-being by reducing stress, improving mood and mental clarity and promoting mindfulness. Guests are encouraged to explore the five recommended walking paths available as a map on brookfieldzoo.org/visit.
Give Back to Support Animal Care & Conservation
Community members inspired to give back can donate to support Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people to wildlife and nature. Through the Animal Adoption program, community members directly support the care and well-being of animals throughout Brookfield Zoo Chicago as well as research and conservation efforts both within the Zoo and around the world. More information about the Zoo’s various fundraising initiatives is available at brookfieldzoo.org/donate.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free days take place on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 2 through Feb. 27. Parking and attraction fees still apply on free days. More information is available at brookfieldzoo.org/visit.
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Media Note: B-roll and photos from Brookfield Zoo Chicago are available for download here for media use only. Media interested in capturing content and interviews should contact Zoo PR Director Julianne Olivo in advance at julianne.olivo@brookfieldzoo.org or 708-688-8351.
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago:
With more than 90 years as a global leader in animal well-being and conservation, Brookfield Zoo Chicago inspires conservation leadership by igniting emotional connections for people with wildlife and nature, locally and globally. The Zoo is a private nonprofit organization that operates on 235 acres of land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County and is home to more than 3,500 animals representing over 500 species, including many of Earth’s most endangered. Brookfield Zoo Chicago was the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals and is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, and ArbNet. For more information, visit www.brookfieldzoo.org or follow @BrookfieldZoo on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok.