Watch CBS News

Best Zoos & Aquariums In Chicago

The fast-paced windy city may be full of skyscrapers, but there still are many hidden havens for animals and aquatic life. We've put together a list of our favorite zoos and aquariums in Chicago.

shedd-aquarium
Courtesy: sheddaquarium.com

John G. Shedd Aquarium

1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
312-939-2438
www.sheddaquarium.com

Get ready for a wet and wild exploration! The newest aquatic show at Shedd, Fantasea, features soaring Dolphins, dancing belugas, and a penguin parade at the Oceanarium's amphitheater. You can also see creatures from the Waters of the World with a tour of rivers and reefs, lakes, and the global ocean. If you want to explore a little deeper, you can immerse yourself in the Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising's flooded forest, the Oceanarium's Pacific Northwest coast and Wild Reef's Indo-Pacific reef.

lincoln-park-zoo
Courtesy: wikipedia

Lincoln Park Zoo

2001 N. Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 742-2000
www.lpzoo.org

Find a world of wildlife surrounded by the city's skyscrapers at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest in the nation founded in 1868. This may just be the wildest hotspot in the city! Families can play and learn for free and there are two sections of the zoo dedicated to children; the Pritzker Family Children's Zoo and Farm-in-the-Zoo.

indian-boundary
Courtesy: www.chicagoparkdistrict.com

Indian Boundary Park & Cultural Center

2430 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 755-5100
www.naturemuseum.org

Visitors can discover a treasure tucked away in the West Ridge neighborhood. Indian Boundary Park & Cultural Center features a beautifully restored, duck-filled lagoon, a small public zoo area with goats, sheep, chickens and ducks, a children's spray pool, sandbox, and four tennis courts. There's also plenty of open space for peaceful picnics with the family.

Brookfield Zoo
Courtesy: www.brookfieldzoo.org

Brookfield Zoo

31st St & S 1st Ave
Riverside, IL 60546
(708) 688-8000
www.brookfieldzoo.org

Any time of the year, Brookfield Zoo is a great place to visit with family or friends. Located just outside of Chicago, it has everything a zoo can offer and more with its children's zoo, butterfly garden, and innovative family play zoo. Throughout the year there are many special events for holidays and live music. The newest exhibit is the Great Bear Wildnerness, a new home to iconic North American animals: polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves, bald eagles, and bison.

Peggy Notebaert
Courtesy: naturemuseum.org

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

2430 N. Cannon Drive
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 755-5100
www.naturemuseum.org

A year-round haven for butterflies from 75 species, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and even an ant farm, this family friendly wildlife museum inspires people to learn about and care for nature and the environment. The Lincoln Park Zoo is a few minutes away, so you could visit both in the same day.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.