Chicago’s got two major zoos, and the Brookfield vs. Lincoln Park question comes up constantly among locals and visitors trying to figure out where to spend their day. Each one offers something pretty different in terms of scale, cost, and overall vibe. Whether you’re a local planning a weekend outing or a visitor trying to squeeze the most out of a few days in the city, knowing what separates these two helps you actually spend your time well.
Brookfield Zoo vs. Lincoln Park Zoo: Two Chicago Icons
Both zoos have shaped Chicago in their own way. Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934 out in the western suburbs, built on a grand scale with an ambition for naturalistic habitats long before that became the industry norm. Lincoln Park Zoo has been part of the city since 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in the country. It sits right inside Lincoln Park, steps from Lake Michigan, and has stayed free to enter for generations of Chicagoans.
Brookfield is built for the big, immersive, all-day trip. Lincoln Park works differently, it’s small enough to fold into a regular afternoon and has become part of the everyday rhythm of the city.
Location, Access, and Parking
Where you’re coming from probably shapes this decision more than anything else on this list.
Brookfield Zoo: Suburban Setting for Drivers
Brookfield Zoo sits at 31st St. and Golfview Ave. in Brookfield, roughly 12 miles west of downtown Chicago. Parking runs $17 at the North Gate or $20 at the South Gate, and honestly, being able to drive right up is hard to beat, especially with kids in tow. There’s also a transit option: Metra’s “Zoo Stop” at Hollywood Station sits just two blocks from the entrance.
Lincoln Park Zoo: Downtown and Transit-Friendly
Lincoln Park Zoo occupies a prime spot on Chicago’s North Side, between the park and Lake Michigan, about 20 minutes north of downtown. It’s not walkable from an L station, but CTA bus routes 151 and 156 stop right at the zoo, while routes 22 and 36 stop two blocks away.
Parking is free for the first half hour, then runs roughly $35 to $45 a day including taxes. For most people, transit or a rideshare is just the smarter move here.
Admission Costs and Hours
The price gap between these two is stark, and for some visitors, that alone settles the decision.
Brookfield Zoo Pricing
Brookfield Zoo charges admission based on age, with general admission (May-September) priced at $32.95 for adults, $27.95 for seniors, and $23.95 for children ages 3-11; children 2 and under are free. Add-ons come with separate fees, so costs can climb quickly for a family. Membership programs are also available for families planning multiple visits. The zoo runs year-round with extended summer hours, so check the current schedule before heading out.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Free Entry Model
Lincoln Park Zoo is free to enter, every day, year-round, no reservation needed. You just walk in. That matters a lot if you’re watching your budget or just want to stop by for an hour. About 85% of the zoo’s operating costs come from members, donors, and visitors, with the Chicago Park District covering the rest. Hours run daily, and the grounds are often accessible even when individual buildings are closed.
Animals, Exhibits, and Zoo Size
Size matters here, but really it comes down to what each zoo builds with the space it has.
Brookfield Zoo’s Signature Habitats
Brookfield Zoo spans 235 acres and houses 3,481 animals across 511 species. Tropic World, currently under remodel and expansion, recreates tropical rainforest conditions and holds gorillas, orangutans, and South American monkeys. The Great Bear Wilderness showcases North American species like grizzly bears and bald eagles in wide, naturalistic surroundings.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Signature Habitats
Lincoln Park Zoo covers about 49 acres and holds more than 170 species, and that smaller footprint gets used well. Farm-in-the-Zoo, presented by John Deere and opened in 1964, lets visitors get up close with pigs, cows, and horses through petting and feeding sessions. Daily seal training and feeding at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. is also a reliable draw if you’re timing your visit around a specific activity.
Annual Events and Seasonal Programs
Both zoos put real effort into programming beyond the standard animal exhibits, and the event calendar is worth factoring into when you plan your visit.
Brookfield Zoo Events Throughout the Year
Holiday Magic, with more than 40 years of history, pulls in visitors every winter with more than 3.5 million lights spread across the grounds. In summer, Roaring Nights concerts stretch the zoo’s hours into the evening with live music and food and drink pop-ups. Timing your visit around either event can make the whole trip feel bigger than a standard zoo day.
Lincoln Park Zoo Events Throughout the Year
Lincoln Park Zoo runs a lively calendar that goes well beyond kid-friendly programming, including seasonal light installations and community fitness events through the warmer months. This zoo doubles as a gathering space for the neighborhood, not just a place to see animals.
Which Zoo Fits Your Visit?
There’s no single right answer, but your situation probably points you toward one option pretty clearly once you think it through.
Best Choice for Chicago Locals
For locals, Lincoln Park Zoo tends to win on pure practicality. Free admission means you can pop in for 90 minutes on a random Tuesday without needing to justify the trip. It’s the kind of place you fold into a bigger afternoon, maybe a walk along the lakefront or lunch nearby afterward. Families with young kids especially like being able to visit often with zero financial commitment.
Best Choice for Out-of-Town Visitors
Visitors from out of town who want a dedicated, full-day wildlife experience usually find Brookfield more satisfying. The scale and variety of species reward the extra time you put in. If you’re in Chicago for several days and want to give one full day to a single attraction, Brookfield delivers on that more completely. Just plan your transportation ahead of time, since driving makes the most sense for anyone coming from outside the city.
Making a Day of It: Visiting Both Zoos
Hitting both in one day is technically doable, but it’s a long haul since they sit on opposite sides of the metro area. A practical approach: spend the morning at Lincoln Park Zoo when it opens, take advantage of the free entry and easy transit access, then drive out to Brookfield in the early afternoon and spend the bulk of your remaining time there before close.
Plenty of visitors split the two zoos across separate days instead, which lets each one get the attention it deserves rather than rushing through exhibits. Lincoln Park Zoo sits close enough to the neighborhood that it pairs naturally with a stop nearby afterward, while Brookfield works better as its own standalone, all-day suburban outing.
Cap Off Your Zoo Day with Deep Dish at Pequod’s Pizza
After hours of walking between animal habitats, you’re going to be hungry, seriously hungry, and Chicago’s food scene is more than ready to close out the day properly.
A Lincoln Park Institution
Pequod’s Pizza has been a Lincoln Park fixture since 1992, known for pan-style deep-dish pies with a signature caramelized cheese crust that rings the edge of every pizza. It’s regularly named among Chicago’s best pizza, and once you’ve tried that caramelized edge, you understand why people make the distinction.
Our Chicago location at 2207 N Clybourn Ave sits just minutes from Lincoln Park Zoo, making it a natural stop after a morning of free, transit-friendly zoo visiting. If Lincoln Park Zoo is already on your itinerary, working us in barely adds any extra travel.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you spent the morning at Lincoln Park Zoo or the whole day out in Brookfield, a deep-dish pizza is a fitting way to end a day spent on your feet. Find our Chicago location to plan your visit or place an order.
Photo by Sebastian Kurpiel on Unsplash