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Zoos in parks in Illinois

You prefer your time in the park to include a visit to the animals.

Based on 518 Opinions
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Updated April 2026
01
Lincoln Park image 1
Lincoln Park image 2
Lincoln Park image 3
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City park

Large urban park along Lake Michigan offers free zoo admission, lush greenery, and breathtaking city and lake views. Paths wind through natural areas and recreational spots like golf, volleyball, and tennis courts. The atmosphere stays calm and peaceful, providing a quiet oasis amid the city.

A large, waterfront park with spacious green areas offers great spots for walking, running, and biking. It features formal and informal gardens, statues, a free zoo, and a cool merry-go-round, all with nice skyline views.

Free admission grants access to a wide variety of animals in a well-kept setting. The zoo offers a beautiful atmosphere and features Zoo Lights that stand out as a notable attraction.

People are saying

"It's a beautiful park with great green space and lovely views."

"You get a nice view of the city skyline."

"The zoo here is free and has a great variety of animals."

Good to know

1

The farmers market operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays with diverse vendors.

2

Zoo Lights is a family-friendly Christmas event at Lincoln Park Zoo.

3

Fullmoonfirejam occurs every full moon from June to September at 7 PM.

02
Randall Oaks Park image 1

Spacious park with huge playground and 10-hole frisbee golf course offers well-maintained trails and a petting zoo. Atmosphere stays peaceful and welcoming, suitable for all ages and family activities. Plenty of green space and parking support picnics and outdoor gatherings.

Wide open spaces and a huge playground with varied equipment make it great for kids and families. Trails suit little kids and the 10-hole frisbee golf course adds a fun challenge amid beautiful wooded areas.

A petting zoo with goats offers hands-on animal interaction for kids. The zoo features a nice selection of animals and plenty of space for picnics, making it a fun and affordable spot for families.

People are saying

"The playground here is huge and has so much green space for the kids."

"It's a great Kid Friendly place with plenty for the children to do."

"The zoo admission was really affordable for me."

Good to know

1

The event features face painting, tractor hay rides, and homemade food vendors.

2

There are 13,000 eggs available for the Easter egg hunt.

3

The park has a large playground suitable for all ages.

03
Randall Oaks Zoo image 1

Small zoo offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere with interactive animal experiences like petting and pony rides. Quiet and family-friendly, it suits young children and provides a cozy, engaging visit without feeling overwhelming.

Pony rides, a petting zoo, and playgrounds offer fun for kids. Parking is easy with spots outside and inside the park. The area stays clean and well maintained.

Small size keeps visits manageable and not overwhelming. Pony rides and animal feed add interactive fun. Staff are friendly and grounds stay well maintained.

People are saying

"This zoo is small, cute, and great for young children."

"I found the zoo to be super affordable."

"It's a fun park for kids to play and see animals."

Good to know

1

Keeper talks occur every hour during busy times, focusing on different animals.

2

Brew at the Zoo is an adult-only event with drinks, live music, and interactive exhibits.

3

Educational programs and seasonal events add extra fun and learning opportunities.

04
Phillips Park Zoo image 1

Spacious zoo and park combine free admission, sunken gardens, and a veterans waterfall to create a scenic, peaceful environment. Playground and splash pad areas bring lively energy, especially near the children's zones. A free tram offers easy access around the grounds, enhancing exploration.

Free admission and free parking make this park easy to access. It features a free tram that tours the entire zoo and multiple playgrounds where kids run and enjoy the animals.

Free admission makes this zoo accessible to everyone. It features a free tram that tours the entire park and offers unique animals not commonly seen in regular zoos.

People are saying

"It's a cute, free place to stop and let the kids play."

"I found the zoo to be a small, free attraction."

"The parks here are small with only a few animals."

Good to know

1

Admission to the zoo is free for everyone.

2

The zoo offers free parking on-site.

3

The zoo is closed on Wednesdays.

05
Lords Park image 1

Park offers multiple playgrounds, sports courts, and a small zoo with various animals. It maintains a peaceful and clean atmosphere with plenty of green space and shaded areas. Picnic pavilions and walking trails support both active and relaxed visits.

Multiple playgrounds and a small zoo with animals like bison and deer make it great for kids. Open green spaces, picnic tables, and a water park add to the family-friendly vibe.

Rolling hills hold a small zoo with bison, a deer reserve, and an elk reserve. A petting zoo and a scavenger hunt offer close animal encounters for kids.

People are saying

"You should check out the public museum; it's worth seeing."

"I found the water park to be affordable and great."

"I saw a few animals at the small zoo."

Good to know

1

The mini zoo is only open in the summer.

2

Parking is easy to find and paths are well-maintained.

3

The farm is free to visit when open.

06
Lords Park Zoo image 1

Spacious park with extensive green areas hosts a small zoo featuring herbivores like bison and deer. Atmosphere stays peaceful and relaxing, ideal for walking and family outings. Facilities include a playground and museum, making it suitable for children.

Extensive green space invites long walks and nature enjoyment. The park includes a small zoo with a focus on animal welfare, a museum, and a playground for all ages.

Located within a park, the zoo offers a variety of animals like bison, deer, and farm animals. It provides educational opportunities and emphasizes animal welfare, making it a peaceful and well-maintained spot ideal for children and families.

People are saying

"It's a great place to bring the kids to the zoo."

"It's a playground near the zoo."

"I loved visiting the zoo and park with its beautiful animals and open spaces."

Good to know

1

Lords Park Zoo is ideal for children's activities and family outings.

2

The zoo features a playground and museum suitable for all ages.

3

Expect a clean environment with well-cared-for animals.

07
Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo image 1

Wooden boardwalk winds through a peaceful pond surrounded by native plants and vibrant wildlife like frogs and turtles. Quiet atmosphere offers a serene city escape with enchanting skyline views and a unique honeycomb pavilion. Family-friendly setting welcomes visitors of all ages and abilities for relaxing strolls in nature.

Wooden structure surrounds the South Pond, adding charm to the walking areas. The park offers a Nature Boardwalk with native flora and fauna like turtles, frogs, and herons, making it dog- and child-friendly with a strong sense of safety and community.

Free entry welcomes visitors to a thoughtful zoo with a Nature Boardwalk that offers a great way to spend time. The zoo features new lion cubs and provides a nice blend of nature and skyline views.

People are saying

"I loved the boardwalk around the pond at the Zoo."

"It's a great Kid Friendly place with lots of room to run."

"I loved the beautiful views of the Chicago skyline from the Nature Boardwalk."

Good to know

1

Parking at the Nature Boardwalk is challenging; consider public transport or biking.

2

The Nature Boardwalk is free to access, making it budget-friendly for families.

3

The zoo is also free to enter, providing additional family-friendly activities.

08
City of Aurora- Phillips Park Zoo image 1

Small zoo and park combine well-maintained enclosures with immaculately landscaped gardens and family-friendly playgrounds. Atmosphere stays quiet and peaceful, making it suitable for casual visits and outdoor fun with kids. Free entry and community focus create an accessible, relaxed environment.

Free access to a small, community-focused zoo makes it great for families with young kids. The park offers dedicated playgrounds for ages 2-5 and 5-12, plus a free trolley ride that adds to the outdoor fun.

Small size makes it easy to explore quickly. Offers a mix of farm animals and exotic species in a clean, family-friendly setting. Entry is free, making it accessible for casual visits with kids.

People are saying

"It's a great place to take the kids for a casual visit."

"It's a small, family-friendly park with a surprising variety of animals."

"It's a small, cool zoo, perfect for a quick family trip."

Good to know

1

The zoo and parks are free to visit.

2

There is a dedicated playground for children aged 2-5 and another for children aged 5-12.

3

The park is suitable for hosting family reunions.

09
Brookfield Zoo image 1

Spacious, immersive animal exhibits combine with interactive experiences like giraffe feeding and a Ferris wheel offering great views. The atmosphere feels lively and family-friendly, with many young people and children enjoying playgrounds and shaded rest areas. Well-designed enclosures and vibrant lighting create a beautiful, engaging environment throughout.

Very large space offers plenty of room to walk around peacefully. Playground, merry-go-round, and ferris wheel provide fun spots for kids.

This zoo offers a fun and educational experience with a variety of animals and exhibits. It has a long-standing reputation for being a favorite spot for families and animal lovers alike.

People are saying

"The Zoo has so many animals and fun shows for kids."

"The outdoor space features naturalistic habitats for animals like gorillas and flamingos."

"I loved seeing the rescued animals and naturalistic enclosures at the zoo."

Good to know

1

Admission is $30 per person, with parking costing an additional $17.

2

Parking can fill up quickly, so arrive early to secure a spot.

3

Several major exhibits, including the elephant and primate houses, are currently closed.

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