01
Brookfield Zoo
- Home to over 2,000 animals, this zoo on the grounds of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, is one of the most popular Chicago zoos for its diverse enjoyable experiences.
- Also known as the Chicago Zoological Park, the zoo offers Dolphins in Action, a seasonal butterfly house, a Hamill Family Play Zoo, and Hamill Family Wild Encounters allowing visitors to interact with various animals.
- Backstage Adventures, safaris, ZooBrew, Summer Nights Concerts, zoo camps, are other attractions that entice visitors to this zoo.
Location:
North Gate Main Entrance: 8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, IL 60513
South Gate Main Entrance: 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513
Timings: Monday to Sunday:10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Entry Fee: USD 17.95 to USD 24.95
Must Checkout: 10 Days USA Packages
South Gate Main Entrance: 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513
Timings: Monday to Sunday:10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Entry Fee: USD 17.95 to USD 24.95
Must Checkout: 10 Days USA Packages
Starting from
$ 32
$ 32
per Adult
02
Lincoln Park Zoo
- The Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the most incredible Chicago zoos housing world-class wildlife exhibits and historic architecture.
- The only free zoo in Chicago, it offers you the chance to see a variety of wildlife from up close and have experiences.
- You can enjoy a variety of activities such as the Sea Explorer 5-D, the Malott Family Penguin Encounter, the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, and the Lionel Train Adventure.
- The ZooLights held between November 19 and January 8 is another attraction of the zoo which welcomes visitors every year.
Location: 2001 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm (for ZooLights)
Best of
03
John G. Shedd Aquarium
- The Shedd Aquarium is one of the most popular and loved Chicago zoos among wildlife enthusiasts for being the first inland aquarium featuring permanent saltwater exhibits alongside freshwater exhibits.
- Visit the Wild Reef's animal healthcare facility to see how the animals' meals are made, experience shark feeding, or get up close and personal with penguins or beluga whales.
- Spend hours exploring the Amazon Rising exhibit and Oceanarium or work as a marine mammal trainer for an in-depth experience.
Location: 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Entry Fee: USD 19.95 to USD 39.95
Starting from
$ 30
$ 25
per Adult
04
Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary
- This bird sanctuary situated in Chicago's Lincoln Park is committed to preserving, enhancing, and developing a natural area along the city's lakefront.
- One of the largest migratory bird sanctuaries and one of the best Chicago zoos, it is thought to be home to several native plant and animal species.
- You can also witness around 150 different species of migratory birds, such as herons, bitterns, wood ducks, etc. that visit the sanctuary every year.
- Featuring nature tracks, viewing walkways, and platforms, this sanctuary is one of the best zoos in Chicago for enjoying birds and nature.
Location: 2 West Belmont Harbor Drive, Chicago, IL 60657
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
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05
North Pond Nature Sanctuary
- One of the most serene zoos in Chicago, the North Pond Nature Sanctuary is a 13-acre pond with a spectacular shoreline and adjacent prairie habitat.
- Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, the sanctuary is a significant wildlife region and a home to various species of birds, fish, and small mammals.
- This urban wildlife haven attracts both local and tourists alike who love birdwatching and nature and offers them the chance to see waterfowl, dragonflies, songbirds, butterflies, turtles, and many other beautiful creatures.
Location: 2500 N. Stockton Ave., Chicago IL 60614
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
06
Regenstein Center for African Apes
- The Regenstein Center for African Apes is one of the most innovative great ape exhibitions and Chicago zoos where endangered species of gorillas and chimpanzees dwell in both natural indoor and outdoor exhibits.
- Numerous trees, water elements, fallen logs, and 5,000 feet of synthetic vines for hanging and climbing make up their habitats.
- The daily Ape Cognition and care session provide a thorough look into the unexpected approaches used here to learn about and care for the resident great apes.
Location: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Ape Cognition and Care: Monday to Friday: 1:30 pm
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07
Helen Brach Primate House
- Helen Brach Primate House is amongst the best zoos in Chicago that features eight naturalistic habitats for the existence of ten different primate species, including black howler monkeys and crowned lemurs.
- Covered with trees, vines, murals, and natural lighting, it recreates forest ecosystems, allowing multiple primate species to live as they would dwell in the woods.
- There is also a huge outdoor space where white-cheeked gibbons love to swing from vines and branches during warmer months.
Location: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Timings: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
08
Cosley Zoo
- Cosley Zoo, one of the most popular zoos near Chicago, is home to a variety of native farm animals and wildlife belonging to Illinois.
- It allows you to witness a variety of local species, including white-tailed deer, Blanding's turtles, red foxes, coyotes, bobcats, black-crowned night herons, and more.
- The Junior Zookeepers program, summer camps, and scout programs are a few of the many initiatives this AZA-accredited zoo runs throughout the year to pique visitors' interests in animals, conservation, and the environment.
Location: 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, Illinois 60187
Timings:
January 2-March 31: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
April 1-October 31: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
April 1-October 31: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
Timings vary for other days
Entry Fee: USD 6 to USD 7
Best of
09
Phillips Park Zoo
- Phillips Park Zoo is home to over 100 different animals representing 41 distinct domestic and exotic species.
- One of the most visited zoos near Chicago, it offers an inclusive learning environment through education and recreation for everyone.
- You can see a variety of creatures here, including birds like the Bald Eagle and Cooper's Hawk, reptiles like the Bull Snake, and mammals like the American Elk.
- Additionally, it conducts an adoption program where you can contribute to the animal's professional care.
Location: 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora, IL 60505
Timings:
October 1st – May 31st: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily
June 1st – September 30th: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily
Distance From Chicago: 67 km
