Brookfield Zoo
Bigger than Lincoln Park, with the hands-on Hamill Family Play Zoo — a toddler-parent secret.
Why you'll go
A sprawling world-class zoo, and don't miss the Hamill Family Play Zoo (hands-on, built for littles). The marquee day-trip.
What they'll love
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is built for little ones: a pretend Vet Clinic with doctor jackets, instruments, and exam tables; a Greenhouse where kids grab spray bottles and water the plants; a cushioned Tot Spot corner for the littlest ones; and Wild Encounters with Nigerian dwarf goats, reindeer, and Bennett's wallabies to get close to. Two koalas (Brumby and Willum) debut inside the Play Zoo in summer 2026. Elsewhere, the free Underwater Viewing Gallery at the Seven Seas habitat lets toddlers press up to the glass and watch dolphins glide past — no show ticket required.
Real talk
Unlike Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield is not free — and the costs stack. General admission is $24.95/adult and $17.95/child (ages 3-11; under 2 free), and parking is separate at $17 (North Gate) or $20 (South Gate). Add-ons like the new 90th-anniversary Ferris wheel ($8/person) cost extra on top. Park at the South Gate if the Play Zoo is your priority. On-site food is described by parents as typical, slightly overpriced zoo fare, so packing snacks for a toddler is worth it. Free general-admission days run Jan-Feb 2026, but parking and attraction fees still apply.
Don't miss
- Start at the Hamill Family Play Zoo It's indoor and outdoor and free with admission, so it's the rainy-day / hot-day anchor of the whole trip. Hands-on stations let toddlers touch, climb, and pretend-play; there's a cushioned Tot Spot corner for the littlest ones, strategically placed benches for parents, coat check just inside the door, stroller parking outside, and a sensory-friendly room. It's on the south side of the zoo and opens at 9:30 a.m. — a half hour before the main gates — so head straight there before it fills up.
- Underwater dolphin viewing at Seven Seas Below the ticketed 'Dolphins in Action' presentation there's a free Underwater Viewing Gallery where little kids can watch dolphins swim by at eye level through the glass — no show timing or extra fee required. Strollers aren't allowed inside the Seven Seas dolphin habitat (fire-safety rule, same as Tropic World, Australia House, and The Fragile Kingdom); there's stroller parking at the entrance, so plan to carry or walk your toddler through.
- Hamill Family Wild Encounters A hands-on area to touch and feed animals like parakeets and goats, plus close-up views of reindeer, llamas, red pandas, and wallabies — the kind of slow, up-close looking that holds a toddler's attention. Now free year-round with general admission (it used to carry a separate fee), so there's no reason to skip it — though feeding the animals still costs a little extra.
- Rent a stroller or wagon if you didn't bring one The zoo is 216 acres — far bigger than Lincoln Park Zoo — so a stroller is essential for a little one who'll tire out. Strollers and wagons are available to rent near both the North and South Gates. Rentals are first-come (no reservations) and need a $10 cash deposit plus the rental fee, so bring cash and arrive early on busy days.