Zoos and Aquariums in Chicago

An Animal Lovers Guide to Chicago

If you're an animal lover, Chicago is a great city to visit with its numerous zoos and aquariums. The city is home to two large zoos, Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest public zoo in the country and Brookfield Zoo is the largest zoo in Illinois. Both zoos offer numerous exhibits, activities, and events for the whole family. Furthermore, Chicago has some of the best aquariums in the country. From the Great Lakes Aquarium to the Shedd Aquarium, you'll find plenty of aquatic animals to marvel at. Kids and adults alike will learn about so many animals and marine species at these amazing places around the city. So, make a day of it and take a deep dive into Chicago's aquariums and zoos listed here.

Aquariums in Chicago

Chicago has some of the best aquariums in the country. From the Great Lakes Aquarium to the Shedd Aquarium, you'll find plenty of aquatic animals to marvel at. Kids and adults alike will learn about so many marine species at these amazing places around the city. So, make a day of it and take a deep dive into Chicago's aquariums.

Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is Chicago's indoor aquarium with more than 32,000 animals. It's located on Museum Campus and has a number of exhibits that include fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes, amphibians, and more.
1200 South Lake Shore Drive, South Loop, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
Chicago has plenty more to offer, so see also our other articles: Where to Take your Dog in Chicago and The Best Things to do in Chicago.
Great Lakes Aquarium
The Great Lakes Aquarium is about 2.5 hours from Chicago and it features a number of habitats and animals from around the world. There are 205 different species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. This is also one of the few aquariums in the country that focuses almost exclusively on freshwater ecosystems. Many of the habitats are based on those found in the Great Lakes.
353 Harbor Dr #100, Duluth, MN, 55802

Zoos in Chicago

Chicago is home to two large zoos, Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest public zoo in the country and Brookfield Zoo is the largest zoo in Illinois. Both zoos offer numerous exhibits, activities, and events for the whole family. Children and adults can learn everything they could dream of and more about all sorts of fascinating animals at these zoos in Chicago.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the country. The zoo is also one of the largest free zoos in the country. It has more than 200 species of animals that are each divided into different exhibits. There ae two-toed sloths, western lowland gorilla, African penguins, lion, giraffes, and more.
2001 N Clark St, Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL, 60614
Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield Zoo, or the Chicago Zoological Park, is located just outside of Chicago in the suburb of Brookfield. It has about 450 species and 216 acres of land. This was the first zoo in the country to house both Giant Pandas and an indoor dolphin exhibit. There's also a unique indoor rainforest simulation.
8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL, 60513

Where to Stay in Chicago

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If you're looking for more information about Chicago, read Educational Places and Activities in Chicago and The Best Local Sites in Chicago and Educational Places and Activities in Chicago.
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