🦁 Zoos, aquariums and nature centers in Chicago
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Zoos and animal parks
- Brookfield Zoo Chicagobrookfieldzoo.org
Brookfield · A zoo with habitats for big cats, bears, primates, birds, reptiles and insects, plus a carousel and seasonal holiday light displays.
- Lincoln Park Zoolpzoo.orgFree
Lincoln Park, Chicago · A city zoo with more than 170 species of mammals, reptiles and birds, daily animal demonstrations, gardens and field trips.
Nature centers, wildlife refuges and raptor centers
- DuPage Wildlife Conservation Centerdupageforest.org
Glen Ellyn · A wildlife hospital for injured and orphaned native animals, with viewing windows, a classroom and a short trail loop for visitors.
- Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Centerdupageforest.org
Oak Brook · A forest preserve nature center with a woolly mammoth skeleton, microscopes, spotting scopes and backpacks to borrow for trail exploring.
- Lake Katherine Nature Centerlakekatherine.org
Palos Heights · A lakeside nature center and botanic garden running young-explorer programs such as Nature Tots and Junior Explorers.
- North Park Village Nature Centerchicagoparkdistrict.com
North Park, Chicago · Trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and savanna, and a discovery room where kids handle natural objects and try interactive displays.
Natural history museums
- Field Museumfieldmuseum.org
Chicago · A natural history museum with dinosaur skeletons including SUE the T. rex, plus rotating special exhibitions.
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museumnaturemuseum.org
Lincoln Park, Chicago · A nature museum with live animal exhibits, nature photography, family events, camps and field trips run by the Chicago Academy of Sciences.