Kid Friendly Travel- Chicago- Brookfield Zoo

Traveling with kids can be difficult especially when it’s with 4 of them. One of the things I love is kid friendly places that are fun for adults as well. Since we are unable to take a family vacation this year I have been thinking of fun places to go that are local to us. Being from Chicago I can honestly say that we have two of the best zoo’s. I like both Lincoln Park and Brookfield Zoo. Both have a lot to offer however I find Brookfield Zoo more enjoyable for the whole family.


If you have never been to Brookfield Zoo before and are going to traveling to Chicago I recommend venturing out of the city and heading out to Brookfield Zoo. It is located in Brookfield Illinois and is easily accessible by mass transit as well as car.
A little about Brookfield Zoo
- It’s located on 216 acres with a children’s zoo, butterfly garden and innovative family play zoo.
- It feature 28 different sections of the zoo and includes around 450 species of animals.
- Home of the Salt Creek Wilderness. Walk off the beaten path and explore around a large lake complete with free roaming animals like Trumpeter Swans.
- In the summer time look for two golden lion tamarins that roam the woods at Brookfield. This is part of a conservation training program.
- Home of the Seven Seas Dolphinarium.
When going to Brookfield I recommend getting there early, this way you can see everything there is to see.
My must see list:
- The Dolphin Show- This show is amazing and interactive as well. The change it up every couple of years to keep it fresh. Currently there are 7 dolphins housed in the Seven Seas. The show includes tricks as well as audience participation. Your child could even get picked to assist in some tricks. Note: This show is extra.

- Seasonal – Sting Ray Bay- This is seasonal and only runs in the summer months however it is something my older kids enjoyed doing. Sting Ray Bay is the home of 54 cow nose rays. The keepers do trim the barbs on their tails which is a painless process. You are encouraged to touch the rays, only on their backs, in this exhibit. My two oldest get a huge kick out of touching the rays and are so excited when it comes time for the exhibit to open. Note: This exhibit does cost extra.

- Tropic World- is the home of the primates and a couple of other fun animals. See if your kids can find the other animals that aren’t primates in each section. My kids love playing that game and get really excited when they find the other animals. My children’s favorite animals in this exhibit are the orangutans and the gorillas. If you have trouble finding the male gorilla just look down in the corner. Every time we go there that is where he can be found. He almost looks as if he is pouting.

- Great Bear Wilderness- I love this new section of the zoo although I hate how crowded it always is. The main attraction is the underwater bear viewing. Most times during the summer months you can find the bears in the water and it’s a treat with the underwater viewing area. From an adult stand point this new exhibit is wonderful. It’s more spacious then the previous one and the innovations that it offers are truly unique.

- The Big Cats- This is a section in the zoo that houses the outdoor exhibits for the larger cats. Including Lions, Tigers, Snow Leopards, and an Amur Leopard. This section is part of the Fragile Kingdom. Sometimes you can hear the male lion roar and if you are standing in front of the habitat when he does be prepared for your children to cover their ears and squeal. He doesn’t do it often but when he does it is loud.

There are a bunch of other exhibits within Brookfield Zoo that are a must see as well Pinniped Point is the home of the seals complete with underwater viewing area. The seals are very active every time we go here and it provides a wonderful treat for the kids as they watch them swim around.

My oldest daughter isn't a big fan of alligators, lizards or anything else slimy for that matter but my son is. The Swamp is always the place that he loves to visit in Brookfield Zoo.

There is plenty to see at Brookfield Zoo and it is worth the venture out of the city to see.While you are there don't forget to check out the giraffe's.

Each time we go my children are always excited; when we leave they are always too tired to keep their eyes open on the car ride home. Brookfield Zoo is open year round and my family loves going here even in winter. If you are going to be in the Chicago area sometime or live here I do recommend stopping over and seeing all there is to see. For more information on Brookfield Zoo including pricing and general information as well as exhibit information you can visit their website.