Visit the Zoo or an Aquarium

By:

Updated:

June 6, 2016

I love taking my children to the zoo. Visiting and observing the animals and learning about their habitats is a interesting and fun way to spend time as a family! Here are some great zoos and an aquarium with the main information for each. Please visit their websites for current special events and hours.

Chicago Zoological Society – Brookfield Zoo

Adults $26.95; Children (3-11)$18.95; Seniors $16.95. Family memberships start at $125 for one year.

3300 Golf Road
Brookfield, IL 60513-1095
Tel: (708)688-8400
Fax: (708)688-8925
Email: webmaster@czs.org

Cosley Zoo

Wheaton residents are all free; Children are free; Nonresident Adults (ages 18-54): $5, Nonresident Adults (ages 55 and over): $4; Family memberships start at $59 for one year.

1356 Gary Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187
Tel: (630)665-5534
Fax: (630)260-6408
Email: cosleyzoo@wheatonparks.org

John G. Shedd Aquarium

Children over 2 $45.95; Adults $54.95; family memberships start at $195.

1200 S Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605-2490
Tel: (312)939-2438
Fax: (312)939-8069
Email: contactus@sheddaquarium.org

Lincoln Park Zoo

Free admission, pay $9 to park. Family membership starts at $175

2200 North Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
Tel: (312)742-2020
Fax: (312)742-2137
Email: hgibbon@lpzoo.org

Phillips Park Zoo and Visitor Center

Free admission

1000 Ray Moses Drive
Aurora, IL 60505
Tel: (630)256-3860
Email: rjohnson@aurora-il.org

Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens

Admission fees: Adult: $14.25; Child (age 3 to 12): $11.25 ;Senior Citizen (age 60 and over): $13.25. Family Membership starts at $135.

10001 W Bluemound Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226-4384
Tel: (414)771-3040
Fax: (414)256-5410
Email: milwaukeecountyzoo@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Racine Zoological Gardens

Adult $8.00; Senior (62 and older) $7.00; Child (15 and younger) $6.00. Family membership begins at $100.

2131 North Main Street
Racine, WI 53402
Tel: (262)636-9189
Fax: (262)636-9307
Email: info@racinezoo.org

Potawatomi Zoo

$9.50 for adults; $7.50 for children ages 3-14 and adults over the age of 62. Family membership begins at $70.

500 S Greenlawn Avenue
South Bend, IN 46615-1341
Tel: (574)235-9800
Fax: (574)235-9080
Email: pzs@potawatomizoo.org

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About the Author

Liz Haskins

Liz is a mom of three equally active and adorable sons, aged six, eight and twelve. As a child, her family moved to Western Springs from Central Illinois, and she and her husband are thrilled to raise their own family here. She works two days a week as a medical assistant, so she tries to fill her time with the boys outside of school with activities that they can all enjoy. This winter, they’ve enjoyed swimming at a few indoor pools, and the boys love going to zoos and children’s museums. In the summer they love to do anything outdoors; they try to hit a different park every week! Their go-to for indoor days are open play spaces that have a range of activities to accommodate her children’s age differences. Outside of being a mom and working, Liz’s passions are photography, reading, and, as an extrovert, she loves meeting new people and connecting over mutual interests.