Lincoln Park Zoo vs. Brookfield Zoo Comparison of Chicago Zoos

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Male lion at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

Love animals? Well, of course you do! After all, you’re not some sort of monster, right? Right? Why else would you have landed up on a blog comparing two of Chicago’s best animal attractions? Unless, of course, you’re planning some sort of Madagascar-style breakout. In which case, there’s nothing to see here. Move along, you’ve come to the wrong place. For the rest of you – lovers of adorable aardvarks, cute crocs and bewitching bears – we have exactly what you’re looking for. Take a walk on the wild side with us as we take a look at what to expect from Chicago’s Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos…

Lincoln Park Zoo

Woman feeding a giraffe at the zoo

Name. This one’s fairly self-explanatory: it’s named after the President-referencing Chicago park in which it’s located, a huge tract of parkland on the shores of Lake Michigan that’s also home to a nature museum, a history museum and a conservatory.

Age. Lincoln Park Zoo was established in 1868, making it one of the oldest zoos in North America.

What to expect at Lincoln Park Zoo. At the risk of stating the obvious, Lincoln Park Zoo is perhaps best known for its animals. Many animals. Big animals. Little animals. Hairy animals. Scaly animals. Animals of all stripes, in other words. We’re talking over 1,000 critters across 200 species, including critically endangered eastern black rhinoceroses, dangerously cute American black bears, lovable two-tailed sloths, ultra-rare Jamaican iguanas, and a chimp named Optimus Prime, to name just a few. Lincoln Park zoo is also an accredited arboretum, boasting 850 plant species, including the only perennial herbaceous hibiscus collection in the United States. There are multiple exhibits to explore and regular activities like penguin-feeding, polar bear care and giraffe training. Best of all, it's free. That’s right: entry to Lincoln Park Zoo costs nothing. It’s free, it’s gratis, and it won’t cost you a dime!

Getting in. Opening hours are generally 10AM-5PM with late opening until 7PM on weekends. The zoo is open 365 days a year and… entry is always freeee! More info here.

Vital Statistics

Flamingos and other birds at Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Size. A relatively diminutive 35 acres.
  • Number of animals. Around 1,100 animals representing 200 species.
  • Number of exhibits. There are around 15 exhibits, including an Arctic tundra for the polar bears, a macaque forest, a seal pool, a reptile enclosure and a petting zoo.
  • Places to eat and drink. Four.
  • Annual visitors. Around 3.4 million.

Why Choose Lincoln Park Zoo?

Jamaican iguana
  • It's centrally located, just 20 minutes north of downtown.
  • Its relatively small size means you can combine a trip here with other nearby attractions – among them the beautiful Lincoln Park Conservatory and North Avenue Beach.
  • Penguin feeding! Giraffe training! Cute miniature train! Endangered species carousel!
  • It’s one of few places on the planet you can encounter critically endangered eastern black rhinoceroses and the stately Jamaican iguana, believed to be extinct in the wild.
  • Did we mention it’s FREE?

Brookfield Zoo

Koala clinging to a branch

Name. Brookfield Zoo Chicago (to give it its full Sunday name) is also known as the Chicago Zoological Park. Or just plain Brookfield Zoo to its friends.

Age. Brookfield Zoo is officially a nonagenarian: it first opened its gates on July 1, 1934.

What to expect at Brookfield Zoo. One thing’s for sure: you’ll do a lot more walking at Brookfield, so wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. Located out in the ‘burbs west of the city, this huge expanse of parkland is home to thousands of animals, from cute and cuddly koalas to showboating frilled lizards, Andean cock-of-the-rocks, and colorful butterflies. Say g’day to wombats, kangas, kookaburras and other Antipodean animals in the Australia zone, get up close to endangered black rhinos at the pachyderm exhibit and ogle Day-Glo pythons and poison frogs in the reptile enclosure. The zoo also has several fairground-style rides including a Ferris wheel, a hand-carved menagerie carousel, and virtual reality wildlife experiences. You can also rest weary legs aboard the motor safari and enjoy various up close encounters with animals (playtime with the macaws, shark-feeding and so on). Extra charges apply for all rides and animal encounters.

Getting in. The zoo is open 9.3AM to 6PM daily. You can buy tickets for general admission, plus parking, special events and rides, here.

Vital Statistics

Clouded leopard caught mid-yawn
  • Size. At a whopping 235 acres, it’s somewhat larger than Lincoln Park Zoo. 
  • Number of animals. Unsurprisingly, a space this size also houses more critters. About three times the number, in fact, at 3,500 animals and more than 500 species. 
  • Number of exhibits. Eighteen zones, including wolves in the woods, a seasonal butterfly enclosure, a rainforest where clouded leopards are stars of the show, and a penguin pool.
  • Places to eat and drink. Twelve: everything from burgers and tacos to gourmet popcorn and snow cones.
  • Annual visitors. Around 2.2 million.

Why Choose Brookfield Zoo?

A flamboyant Andean cock-of-the-rock
  • Despite its suburban location, Brookfield Zoo is a fairly easy 20-30-minute drive from downtown Chicago.
  • With more than 3,500 critters to meet, plus rides, add-on experiences and more, there’s plenty to keep kids and grown-ups entertained here for a whole day – or longer!
  • Cute koalas! Beautiful butterflies! Immersive virtual reality wildlife experiences! A Ferris wheel!
  • Multiple restaurants and snack bars mean even the most bear-like appetites can be satisfied with ease.

Save on Chicago Tours, Activities and Attractions

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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