Visit

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

We look forward to welcoming you to Brookfield Zoo Chicago! Enjoy our 235-acre zoological park, featuring 3,481 animals belonging to 511 species. Read on to learn how to maximize your Zoo visit! 

HOURS

On general admission dates, our hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

On Holiday Magic dates, our hours are 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Zoo does not open prior to 3:00 p.m. on Holiday Magic dates.


We are open daily, with the exceptions of Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

TICKETS

Purchase general admission tickets here

HOLIDAY MAGIC TICKETS

Purchase Holiday Magic tickets and make reservations here

 

BROOKFIELD ZOO CHICAGO APP

Maximize your Zoo visit when you download our FREE app!

Click here to download app for iOs 

Click here to download app for Android

BRAMSEN TROPICAL FORESTS

Our new three-acre outdoor ape and monkey habitat has officially opened to the public! Reservations are no longer needed to visit this extraordinary space. Click here for details. Please note, the orangutan habitat is currently closed for maintenance.

LIVING COAST

Living Coast will not be accessible to guests at the following times: December 5, 3-5 p.m.; December 6, 3-4 p.m.; December 7, 3-4 p.m.; December 8, 2-5 p.m.

FREE DAYS

Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers 2025 Free Days for all guests on Mondays and Tuesdays from December 1-23. The Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these Mondays and Tuesdays.

Please note, all guests receive free general admission on Free Days. Parking fees and attraction fees still apply on Free Days.

           

HAMILL FAMILY PLAY ZOO

At the award-winning Hamill Family Play Zoo, young children and their families explore, play, and learn by doing. Our goal is for our guests to have fun and grow their lifelong connections with animals and nature.


ADMISSION
Free 

PLAY ZOO SCHEDULE
Daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Animal ambassadorS
 

HAMILL FAMILY WILD ENCOUNTERS

At just over three acres, Hamill Family Wild Encounters is geared toward guests of all ages and features unforgettable hands-on experiences that include opportunities to touch and feed animals, including parakeets and goats. You'll also get to see llamas, wallabies, and reindeer, not to mention Zoo Chats and Animal Ambassador appearances throughout the summer. Goats and wallabies will be off habitat for the season as of November 1.

*Seed sticks for parakeets are available for $2.00 each and sold inside the aviary.


ADMISSION
Free 

WILD ENCOUNTERS SCHEDULE
Daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ANIMAL AMBASSADORS
 

THE CAROUSEL 

The Carousel is open daily through November 16 and on Holiday Magic dates, weather permitting.
 Take a spin in one of the largest hand-carved wooden carousels in the country! Located near the Zoo’s North Gate entrance, The Carousel features 72 animals to choose from, some representing highly endangered animals from around the world, as well as three stationary animal chariots. 
Please Note: All seated riders require a ticket.

TICKETS
Adults
: $6.00 ($3.00 for members)
Seniors 65 & Over: $4.00 ($2.00 for members)
Children 0 to 11: $3.00 ($1.50 for members)

 PURCHASE TICKETs  
 

BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies! is closed for the season.
Discover some of nature's most colorful creatures - butterflies! Observe as these species native to North America fly around the pond, up into the sky, land on some flowers, and possibly land on you! *May be weather dependent.


TICKETS 
Adults
: $4.00 ($2.00 for members)
Seniors 65 & Over: $3.50 ($1.75 for members)
Children 3 to 11: $3.00 ($1.50 for members)

TICKETS COMING SOON
 

MOTOR SAFARI

Motor Safari is closed for the season.
Hop aboard our Motor Safari for a narrated ride around Brookfield Zoo Chicago! You'll get to know all the habitats and fun things to do here at the Zoo while also learning about the conservation work we do as well as get insights into the history of the Zoo. It's a great way to relax while getting the most out of your Zoo experience. Please Note: Tickets can be purchased at the Zoo.

TICKETS
Adults
: $6.00 ($3.00 for members)
Seniors 65 & Over: $4.00 ($2.00 for members)
Children 0 to 11: $3.00 ($1.50 for members)

Presented by

PURCHASE AT ZOO
 

Dolphin DISCOVERY

Connect more deeply with bottlenose dolphins than ever before at the exciting and educational Dolphin Discovery shows! During every show, Dolphin Discovery will introduce you to each dolphin’s unique personality and communication style in real time. Reimagined with new technology and innovations, the mission-forward show includes live demonstrations and the first-ever video integration, featuring exclusive footage from the Zoo's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program — the world's longest-running study of dolphins in the wild!


TICKETS
Adults:
$8.00
Seniors 65 & Over: $6.00
Children 3 to 11: $4.00
Free for Unlimited-Level and Adventurer-Level Members

SCHEDULE
11:30 a.m. daily on general admission dates 
4 p.m. on Holiday Magic dates, plus 6 p.m. holiday shows on select dates (remaining dates for holiday show are December 12-14, 19-21)

GET TICKETS
 

Directions and Parking

By Car

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located at First Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago.

There are exits to First Avenue from the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and from the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) (See detours above). Signs on First Avenue will direct you to the Zoo’s Main Entrance and Zoo parking—or you can just follow the lion’s roar!

Main Entrance Parking Lot 
31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513

By Bus

Throughout the year, you can take Pace Bus Route 331 to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The Pace bus service stops just outside the Zoo’s South Gate.

If you need detailed route information or door-to-door directions, visit Pacebus.com or call the RTA Travel Line at 312-836-7000.

CharterUP offers private bus rentals for school groups and private groups interested in visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Browse their Chicago bus rental options to plan your upcoming trip today.

National Charter Bus is a nationwide bus rental company that offers charter bus rentals in Chicago and Illinois. You can book a private transportation service with them for your group trip to Brookfield Zoo Chicago.

GOGO Charters provides bus rentals in Chicago and around Illinois for group trips and events at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. See their charter bus rental and minibus rental options to begin planning your trip.

Greater Chicago Charter Bus Company provides local Chicago charter bus transportation for you to easily navigate the city and make your trip to Brookfield Zoo Chicago easy.

By Train

Beat the traffic by taking the train! If you want to skip the drive and not worry about traffic or parking, it's easy to get to Brookfield Zoo Chicago from downtown or the western suburbs via Metra's BNSF Line.

Exit at the Zoo Stop (Hollywood Station) and then walk two blocks northeast. You can also exit at the Riverside station or Brookfield station and walk to the Zoo.

To obtain a train schedule, call Metra at (312) 322-6777 or visit their website.

Parking Fee at the Main Entrance  

Cars: $17.00

Buses: $25.00

Members: Free

South Parking Lot

GPS Address: 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513

Parking Fee at the South Gate

Cars: $20.00

Buses: $25.00

Members: $7.00

Cook County parking tax & Illinois Parking Excise Tax included.

 

        Learn More About Transportation Partner    

 

        

 

 

     
  

Open buildings

The following indoor buildings are currently open:

*Please note that Splash Pad at Living Coast and water misters are open Memorial Day through Labor Day.


 
  • AUSTRALIA
  • BRAMSEN TROPICAL FORESTS
  • BZ RED HOTS
  • Clouded Leopard Rain Forest
  • Desert's Edge
  • DOLPHIN BAY
  • dolphin bay underwater viewing
  • Feathers & Scales
  • GRAZE KITCHEN
  • Great Bear Wilderness Underwater Viewing
  • HABITAT AFRICA: THE FOREST
  • HABITAT AFRICA: THE KOPJE
  • HAMILL FAMILY PLAY ZOO
  • Hamill Family Wild Encounters
  • Living Coast
  • MACAWS
  • north gate market
  • Regenstein Wolf Woods Indoor Viewing
  • Reptiles & Birds
  • sea lion cove underwater viewing
  • THE SWAMP
  • tropic world
  • WILD BURGER
  • wild encounters aviary
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Closed buildings

Please note the following buildings are currently CLOSED at this time.

  • PACHYDERMS
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CURRENT BZC MAP

WALKING MAP

QUIET SPACE LOCATION MAP

LARGE PRINT/SERVICE ANIMAL MAP