Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago sits on 31st Street at Golfview Avenue in Brookfield, west of the city, and is the big zoo of the region: a full-day campus rather than an afternoon stop. Families come for the scale of the grounds, the seasonal programs such as Boo! at the Zoo and Holiday Magic, and the free admission period the zoo has run in January and February. Parking is charged at both gates even on free days. The Metra BNSF line’s Hollywood (Zoo Stop) station is a short walk from the south gate for anyone coming from Union Station without a car.

What to know

• Located at 31st Street and Golfview Avenue in Brookfield, west of Chicago.
• Regular admission is $32.95 for adults and $23.95 for children 3 to 11; kids 2 and under are free.
• Parking is $17 at the north gate and $20 at the south gate, charged on free days too.
• Museums for All gives EBT cardholders up to four free admissions; Chicago Public Library cardholders can check out passes.
• Metra’s BNSF line stops at Hollywood (Zoo Stop) near the south gate.