We're wild about Brookfield Zoo!
Written: Jul 22 '01 (Updated Jul 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great exhibits, terrific volunteers and staff.
Cons: If you try to do everything, you'll be poor and exhausted.
The Bottom Line: Amazing animals in an engaging setting complemented by a helpful staff and attentive volunteers.
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| gracef's Full Review: Brookfield Zoological Park |
The Brookfield Zoo has a reputation as one of the best zoos in the country, and it's well deserved. Located about 15 miles from downtown Chicago, the Brookfield Zoo covers over 200 acres. Its large size allows for a vast array of animals featured in natural settings, engaging exhibits, and delightful activities.
One important thing to know about the Brookfield Zoo is that not all exhibits are included in the general admission price. Most of these are under $4, but with a family of four, this can add up. For large families or for those who wish to visit the zoo often, membership packages are a good option. Along with the admission savings, members are treated to shorter members-only lines at the gates and some attractions and to discounts on food and zoo souvenirs.
Another thing to understand is that it is almost impossible to see everything that the Brookfield Zoo has to offer in one day. The zoo is huge, and one typically has no concept of the actual size until one walks through it. The reason why the Brookfield Zoo decided to price some attractions separately, I'm sure, is because most people won't have time to see more than one or two in a day anyway.
Because of the size, parents with young children should use strollers or wagons. These are not allowed in all exhibits, though, and with a few exceptions, they are not well attended. However, in the four years that we have been going to the Brookfield Zoo, I have never heard of anyone having a stroller or wagon stolen. Still, it is a good idea to mark personal possessions and to not leave valuables in them when they must be parked.
Everyone is cautioned to wear comfortable shoes. On our last trip, I was stupid and wore the pair of sandals that was closest to the front door. By the time we left eight hours later, my feet were screaming in pain.
I say again... Over 200 acres! Don't underestimate it!
General Admission
The Brookfield Zoo has more than enough exhibits available to those with only general admission tickets to keep the average visitor busy for hours. Most of the exhibits are such that there are no bars or fences between the animals and the visitors. Some are set up such that there is just glass between the animal and the viewer. This affords awesome views of lions, tigers, and more.
As we have attended the zoo more and more, we have learned about viewing the animals at the Brookfield Zoo. The big cats in the Fragile Kingdom are mostly nocturnal, so it's better to wait until the late afternoon to see them. The polar bears are active around mid-day. And most of the animals do little but sink into the grass or shade when temperatures are really hot. Please be patient with the animals. Since the Brookfield Zoo stresses having animals in natural habitats, they won't always be out in the open and within view exactly when people might want to see them. If they're not there when you're at the animal's display, just go back later in the day.
Tropic World is one of my daughter's favorite exhibits. This is set up with wooden bridges that wind through a tropical rain forest. A large waterfall (20 feet tall) provides a stunning backdrop and great sound effects. Here, visitors see the lowland gorillas and orangutans. To view the entire exhibit, one must cross a wooden bridge. This exhibit tends to get really crowded, so patience is required.
The Living Coast allows people to see animals from the shores of South America. The exhibit is dark, but the walls, which are decorated with iridescent fish, are illuminated with low lights. The exhibit contains a number of aquariums filled with various kinds of fish. The display is set up so that it highlights the food web and how the success of all animals depends on the success of those in the sea. One of the most popular parts of this exhibit is an area where waves crash over a glass window. It's always surprising when the waves come in, and children love it. This area also holds a small but passable penguin exhibit.
Habitat Africa! The Savannah gives visitors the opportunity to get up close with giraffes, two types of zebras, and okapi. On one occasion, volunteers outside the kopje exhibit had a display set up so visitors could touch okapi and giraffe pelts and compare skulls of the two animals. My daughter thought this was really cool because the animals are so different.
All of the exhibits are really well done. They are open and allow the animals some room to move while allowing easy viewing. They also contain placards describing each of the animals. Ones that are endangered or threatened are marked so that people have a true appreciation for the animal. If anything, these designations were depressing because of the large number of really amazing animals that are endangered.
However, the Brookfield Zoo also makes an effort to educate visitors in what they can do to give these animals a chance. If one thing is clear after visiting the Brookfield Zoo, it is that all animals (including people) rely on each other. In some cases, there are small things that people can do, like conserving energy and helping to decrease pollution. Some exhibits stress the Brookfield Zoo's involvement in studying species and breeding programs. One walks away from the Brookfield Zoo with an increased appreciation for the animals and for the people who are trying to preserve them.
Hamill Family Play Zoo
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is a new attraction in 2001. And oh, what an attraction it is! The concept is simple. Allow families to interact with nature in a safe, yet fun environment and to teach children to care about nature. The Hamill Family Play Zoo is primarily geared towards children 10 and under, though older children will likely enjoy it too.
The Hamill Family Play Zoo is filled with hands-on exhibits designed particularly with the imaginable child in mind. The Lemur Leap has costumes for children to dress up as lemurs and logs for them to climb on. The exhibit also contains a group of lemurs that romp around an enclosure that allows for excellent viewing of the animals. Another exhibit allows children to dress up as birds, build nests, and sit on eggs. Still another allows kids to pretend to be vets, caring for stuffed animals with some of the same tools as real vets. This area features a huge, wall-sized light box with which kids can look at real animal x-rays.
Volunteers and staff are located throughout the Hamill Family Play Zoo to answer questions and to assist visitors in activities. Some hold animals, which guests may pet. Others assist children to draw and color pictures of the animals. This isn't just busy work for the kids because the pictures are posted on exhibits throughout the Hamill Family Play Zoo.
There are more activities outside the building that houses the exhibits. One section allows kids to dress up like butterflies or bees and fly around a garden. In another, families can build shelters. The most popular attraction is a shallow stream where visitors can walk across the stones. On a hot day, this is a welcome treat. However parents should be warned that the stones are really slippery. Fortunately, the staff has first aid supplies handy to bandage the inevitable cuts and scrapes and ice packs for bumps.
The price of the Hamill Family Play Zoo is not included in the General Admission price.
Seven Seas
The Seven Seas exhibit is currently being renovated; however, there is still much to see there. All visitors are welcome to view the dolphins through an underground viewing room. Large windows allow visitors to see the dolphins swim and play.
However, the big attraction is the Seven Seas Dolphin Presentation. For an additional charge, visitors can see a first class dolphin show. (It's better than the show at the Shedd Aquarium, but not as good as those that we have seen at Sea World.) The show is informative but entertaining as well. We like to see this at least once a year. However, the lines for the show are long. The show is about a half-hour and the wait to get into the viewing stands is about as long. If time is limited, you might want to skip this, though my daughter insists that this is one of the "must see" parts of the zoo.
The Children's Zoo
In many respects, the Children's Zoo is like most others. Animals such as goats, calves, and other animals are available for children to pet. Small exhibits allow children to get closer views of owls, raccoons, hawks, and more small animals. A big barn houses exhibits that allow the kids to see cows milked and chicks hatched.
The highlight of the Children's Zoo is a small area where zookeepers give talks about some small animals. On our last visit to the Children's Zoo, our daughter was able to get a really good look at an armadillo and was even able to pet one. (Did you know that armadillos have hair? I always thought they were bald!) Kids are also encouraged to ask questions about the animals.
My daughter really enjoys the Children's Zoo. However, it is not remarkable enough to sacrifice missing attractions like the Hamill Family Play Zoo or the The Seven Seas Dolphinarium.
The price of the Children's Zoo is not included in the General Admission price.
Butterflies!
The Brookfield Zoo has long had a butterfly garden (located near the pachyderms). However, this year, a new exhibit was opened that allows visitors to be immersed in butterflies. The Butterflies! exhibit is a huge greenhouse filled with butterflies and the plants that they love. Visitors have to be really careful to avoid damaging these beautiful, yet delicate creatures. Staff circulates throughout the exhibit with caterpillars, the butterfly lifecycle to curious kids and parents. Butterfly enthusiasts will get lots of great ideas for their own butterfly gardens as the plants are clearly labeled.
The price of the Butterflies! exhibit is not included in the General Admission price.
Volunteers
The volunteers of the Brookfield Zoo really amaze me. They are everywhere! Teenagers walk through the displays and engage children in talk about various animals. (According to the youngest volunteer we met, kids entering their freshman year in high school are eligible to apply, and multiple interviews are required to actually get a position.) Just looking lost for more than 5 minutes or uttering a phrase such as "I don't know which way to go" is enough to attract a volunteer who is more than happy to point the way.
We encountered our favorite volunteer near the North Gate. This young man would ask children to volunteer to help teach about insects. Our daughter cautiously agreed. He started to ask our daughter questions about insects. As she answered, he would give her an item to wear to illustrate the point. By the time she was done, my daughter was wearing insect glasses (which really gave a multi-faceted view of everything), wings, legs, and antenna. This was a great photo opportunity (with pictures that I'm sure that my daughter will want to hide years from now!) and was educational as well. While my daughter impressed the volunteer with her knowledge of insects, I don't think my daughter appreciated how an insect sees until she put on those goggles!
Food
The Brookfield Zoo has a wide array of eating possibilities. Food stands are spread throughout the Zoo. In addition, ice cream and drink carts are available along paths. Prices vary, though most items are more expensive than they would be if they were brought from home.
For lunch, we typically go to the picnic area next to Ibex Island. My husband goes to various food stands to get our lunch, while my daughter either plays in the playground there or runs over to Ibex Island to watch the ibex climb over the rocks. Typical food options are hamburgars, riblets, chicken sandwiches, etc. My daughter, the picky eater, rarely finds anything that she likes to eat though. We may get in the habit of just packing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for her!
Dinner plans usually vary. On our last visit, we had dinner at Bocaditos, located outside the Seven Seas exhibit. This is the nicest restaurant at the Brookfield Zoo. The cuisine can be termed as South American, though hamburgars and fries are available too. I had one of the South American dishes. I forget the name of the dish, but it was a sort of grilled shrimp over white rice surrounded by red beans. The shrimp portion was a little skimpy, but it was still quite filling. My daughter had grilled cheese, her favorite regardless of who makes it!
While the restaurant is very nice, it is also family-friendly. My daughter also enjoyed the fact that they provided her with large, fat crayons and an activity page to color while waiting. This restaurant has both indoor, air-conditioned dining or terrace dining, when the weather is nice. When we ate there, the weather was terrific, and we enjoyed sitting on the terrace and watching the people in the plaza below. Surprisingly, the total price of dinner was only marginally more than my husband paid for our lunch.
And more!
Believe it or not, I've touched on just a few of the joys of the Brookfield Zoo. There is really so much to see that it is virtually impossible to discuss it all in one setting.
Those interested in pricing and hours are encouraged to visit the Brookfield Zoo web site. In addition to the pricing and hours, one will find maps of the zoo, forms for advance ordering of tickets, and some information about the latest additions to the zoo.
Additional information
Brookfield Zoo Web Site
http://www.brookfieldzoo.org
Recommended:
Yes
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gracef
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