Zoos in Chicago
16 activities
Zoos in Chicago
Showing 16 of 16 activities
Kovler Seal Pool
📍 Chicago, IL
Kovler Seal Pool is an open-air exhibit at Lincoln Park Zoo where families can watch grey seals and harbor seals in a naturalistic habitat with underwater viewing areas. Children can observe daily positive reinforcement training sessions narrated by learning interpreters, providing an educational experience about animal care and wildlife conservation.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
📍 Omaha, IL
Domed indoor habitats, including desert & rainforest ecosystems, plus open-air animal exhibits.
Chicago Botanic Garden
📍 Glencoe, IL
Explore 385 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens featuring millions of plants and flowers across diverse settings. The garden offers family camp programs, educational classes, seasonal events like orchid shows, and interactive learning opportunities through the Regenstein School, making it an engaging destination for children of all ages to discover nature and gardening.
Main Barn
📍 Chicago, IL
Lincoln Park Zoo offers a wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago with free admission and family-friendly activities year-round. Kids can explore diverse animal exhibits, meet newly arrived animals like red panda Qi, participate in seasonal events like the Spring Egg-Stravaganza, and learn about conservation through educational programs. The zoo has been free and accessible to the public for 150 years and includes interactive features like a web app to navigate the grounds.
Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo
📍 Chicago, IL
Nature Boardwalk offers families a scenic half-mile boardwalk trail through a restored Midwestern prairie ecosystem where children can observe native wildlife including birds, turtles, and dragonflies. The free outdoor attraction features beautiful pond views, the iconic Lester E. Fisher Bridge with Chicago skyline views, and seasonal educational programs, making it an ideal nature-based activity for families of all ages.
Kovler Lion House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center
📍 Chicago, IL
Part of the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Kovler Lion House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center offers children and families the opportunity to view lions and other wildlife in a professional zoo setting. This facility is an excellent destination for families interested in animal education and outdoor exploration in Chicago.
Chicago Zoological Society
📍 Brookfield, IL
Brookfield Zoo Chicago features hundreds of animals across multiple habitats including big cats, reptiles, birds, bears, primates, and insects, with hands-on experiences like Dolphin Discovery. The zoo also offers family-friendly rides including a carousel and ferris wheel, making it an engaging destination for children to learn about wildlife and conservation while enjoying outdoor recreation.
San Diego Zoo
📍 San Diego, IL
San Diego Zoo is a world-class zoo in Balboa Park featuring over 3,700 animals including giant pandas, koalas, giraffes, and apes. Families can enjoy interactive nature play areas, wildlife encounters, educational programs, and special experiences designed specifically for children through their Youth Programs and Wildlife Explorers Basecamp.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
📍 Powell, IL
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers an engaging experience with diverse land and sea animals, interactive attractions like a hands-on tide pool and kangaroo walkabout, and special family experiences. The venue supports its mission through educational programs, tours, and seasonal events designed to inspire visitors of all ages to connect with wildlife.
Lincoln Park Zoo
📍 Chicago, IL
Lincoln Park Zoo is a free zoo in the heart of Chicago offering visitors the chance to see lions, primates, reptiles, and other wildlife across multiple habitats. The zoo features a dedicated children's area and interactive farm exhibit, plus seasonal family events like the Spring Egg-Stravaganza. With educational programs, horticulture tours, and conservation initiatives, it's an excellent destination for families to learn about and connect with wildlife.
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
📍 Pittsburgh, IL
Home to over 8,000 animals across African Savanna, Asian Forest, Bear Park, and PPG Aquarium exhibits, this zoo offers engaging experiences for children of all ages. The facility features dedicated kids' programs like Zoo Kids (ages 4-5) and Wildlife Academy (ages 6-7), plus interactive experiences like the Bunny Brunch and Keeper Conversations, making it an ideal destination for family learning and animal exploration.
Tropic World
📍 Brookfield, IL
Bramsen Tropical Forests is a nearly three-acre primate habitat at Brookfield Zoo Chicago featuring gorillas, orangutans, spider monkeys, and other primates in naturalistic settings modeled after African, Asian, and South American environments. The habitat includes an indoor Gorilla Conservation Center where families can learn about primate conservation while observing these magnificent animals up close.
Pritzker Family Children's Zoo
📍 Chicago, IL
The Pritzker Family Children's Zoo in Chicago offers an interactive zoo experience specifically designed for children, featuring animals and educational activities. With a strong 4.5-star rating, it provides a hands-on learning environment where families can engage with wildlife in an age-appropriate setting.
Farm in the Zoo
📍 Chicago, IL
Farm-in-the-Zoo offers young children their first encounters with farm animals including cows, goats, pigs, ponies, chickens, and rabbits through interactive exhibits. The venue features a Main Barn designed for toddlers and young children, seasonal feeding programs, and immersive sensory experiences that teach about farm life and animal care.
Indianapolis Zoo
📍 Indianapolis, IL
The Indianapolis Zoo offers a comprehensive family experience featuring live animals, an aquarium, rides, educational shows, and interactive petting and play areas. The venue also includes indoor and outdoor gardens, making it an engaging destination for children of various ages to learn about wildlife and nature.
Cosley Zoo
📍 Wheaton, IL
Cosley Zoo offers families up-close interactions with native wildlife and farm animals across five acres in suburban Chicago. The zoo features natural habitat exhibits with white-tailed deer, red foxes, Blanding's turtles, coyotes, and more, plus educational programs and special events like Easter activities and conservation celebrations. The venue is certified sensory-inclusive, making it accessible for children with sensory sensitivities.