Brookfield Zoo

Chicago

Brookfield Zoo

March 3 2026
Within Walking Distance

Overview

Getting To and From

Inside the Venue

Onsite Accessibility

Our Guidelines

Comments

Accessibility Information Google Map Venue Floor Plan Website

About

Lions, tigers, dolphins & more frolic in natural indoor & outdoor settings at this wildlife park.

Getting To and From

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
On Site Parking Garage or Lot	Yes	Yes	Accessible parking spaces are available at both our North and South Gate entrances on a first-come, first-served basis. If all accessible parking spaces are taken, please notify one of our Park Safety Officers who will determine if additional accessible parking can be made available. The South Gate parking lot provides closer access to the zoo entrance and may be more desirable for guests with physical disabilities. The North Gate parking lot offers more accessible parking spots due to the size of the lot, but is further proximity from the zoo.	Accessible parking spaces are available in both the Main Entrance Parking Lot (31st Street and Golfview Avenue) and the South Parking Lot (3300 Golf Road). Parking fees apply: Main Entrance Cars: $17.00, Buses: $25.00, Members: Free. South Gate Cars: $20.00, Buses: $25.00, Members: $7.00. Cook County parking tax & Illinois Parking Excise Tax included.
On-site Parking	Yes	Yes		The 'Visit' page mentions 'Main Entrance Parking Lot' and 'South Parking Lot' which serve as primary entry points, implying drop-off/pick-up areas. The accessibility page states, 'If a guest needs a wheelchair or ECV at the North entrance, a Crew Member can call North Buggies and someone will bring the wheelchair or ECV up to the North entrance,' which suggests a drop-off point at the North entrance.
Off site Parking	Yes	No		The website only details onsite parking options and does not mention off-site parking.
Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes		The South Gate is an easier entrance for people with disabilities. Accessible entrances are available.
Site Map/Floorplan	Yes	Yes		Large-print maps with access information are available at North and South Guest Relations. Service Animal Maps are also available for download. The main 'Visit' page also listed 'CURRENT BZC MAP', 'WALKING MAP', 'QUIET SPACE LOCATION MAP', and 'LARGE PRINT/SERVICE ANIMAL MAP' for download.

Inside the Venue

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Additional Info / Things to Know
Dedicated Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes	The South Gate is an easier entrance for people with disabilities. Accessible entrances are available.
Street Level Access and Automatic Doors		Yes	Inferred from accessible entrance availability
Security Checkpoint	No	Yes	No specific information about security checkpoints or accessibility accommodations related to them was found on the accessibility page.
Use of Mobility Aids	Yes	Yes	Electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs), wheelchairs, child strollers, and wagons are available for rent near the North and South Gates. ECVs are $35.00 (credit card required for deposit) and wheelchairs are $15.00 (credit card required for deposit). Reservations for ECVs and wheelchairs are recommended in advance. Guests with disabilities may use personal mobility devices (excluding gas-powered) in exhibits and buildings. Service animals (dogs) are welcome; miniature horses may be accommodated case-by-case. Emotional support, comfort, or therapy animals are not permitted.
Accessible Seating (Theater)	Yes	Yes	Accessible picnic tables are located throughout the park. Safari Tours are wheelchair accessible, implying accessible seating.

Location

8400 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513, US

Getting To and From

Find essential details on parking, drop-off points, and accessibility to make your visit smooth and hassle-free.
Check the table below for more information.

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
On Site Parking Garage or Lot	Yes	Yes	Accessible parking spaces are available at both our North and South Gate entrances on a first-come, first-served basis. If all accessible parking spaces are taken, please notify one of our Park Safety Officers who will determine if additional accessible parking can be made available. The South Gate parking lot provides closer access to the zoo entrance and may be more desirable for guests with physical disabilities. The North Gate parking lot offers more accessible parking spots due to the size of the lot, but is further proximity from the zoo.	Accessible parking spaces are available in both the Main Entrance Parking Lot (31st Street and Golfview Avenue) and the South Parking Lot (3300 Golf Road). Parking fees apply: Main Entrance Cars: $17.00, Buses: $25.00, Members: Free. South Gate Cars: $20.00, Buses: $25.00, Members: $7.00. Cook County parking tax & Illinois Parking Excise Tax included.
On-site Parking	Yes	Yes		The 'Visit' page mentions 'Main Entrance Parking Lot' and 'South Parking Lot' which serve as primary entry points, implying drop-off/pick-up areas. The accessibility page states, 'If a guest needs a wheelchair or ECV at the North entrance, a Crew Member can call North Buggies and someone will bring the wheelchair or ECV up to the North entrance,' which suggests a drop-off point at the North entrance.
Off site Parking	Yes	No		The website only details onsite parking options and does not mention off-site parking.
Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes		The South Gate is an easier entrance for people with disabilities. Accessible entrances are available.
Site Map/Floorplan	Yes	Yes		Large-print maps with access information are available at North and South Guest Relations. Service Animal Maps are also available for download. The main 'Visit' page also listed 'CURRENT BZC MAP', 'WALKING MAP', 'QUIET SPACE LOCATION MAP', and 'LARGE PRINT/SERVICE ANIMAL MAP' for download.

Inside the Venue

Get to know what to expect indoors—from seating layouts to restrooms and concessions.

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Additional Info / Things to Know
Dedicated Accessible Entrance	Yes	Yes	The South Gate is an easier entrance for people with disabilities. Accessible entrances are available.
Street Level Access and Automatic Doors		Yes	Inferred from accessible entrance availability
Security Checkpoint	No	Yes	No specific information about security checkpoints or accessibility accommodations related to them was found on the accessibility page.
Use of Mobility Aids	Yes	Yes	Electronic convenience vehicles (ECVs), wheelchairs, child strollers, and wagons are available for rent near the North and South Gates. ECVs are $35.00 (credit card required for deposit) and wheelchairs are $15.00 (credit card required for deposit). Reservations for ECVs and wheelchairs are recommended in advance. Guests with disabilities may use personal mobility devices (excluding gas-powered) in exhibits and buildings. Service animals (dogs) are welcome; miniature horses may be accommodated case-by-case. Emotional support, comfort, or therapy animals are not permitted.
Accessible Seating (Theater)	Yes	Yes	Accessible picnic tables are located throughout the park. Safari Tours are wheelchair accessible, implying accessible seating.

Onsite Accessibility

Learn about ramps, elevators, restrooms, and other accessible features available during your visit

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Additional Info / Things to Know
Restrooms	Yes	Yes	Restroom facilities have one or more wheelchair-accessible stalls. Family restrooms are located adjacent to the North Gate ticket booths, South Gate Entrance near Guest Relations, Great Bear Wilderness–Bison Prairie Grill, between Great Bear Wilderness and Habitat Africa-The Savannah, BZ Red Hots restaurant, Bramsen Pavilion (located in the building to the west of the Wild Encounters exhibit), and next to the GRAZE restaurant.
Elevators	No	Yes	While not explicitly mentioned on the accessibility page, a large zoological park typically has elevators in multi-level buildings. The general statement about making 'buildings... accessible to all visitors' implies their availability where needed. Further details would require consulting the Accessibility Guide or specific building information.
On-Site Dining	Yes	Yes	Food menus and price lists in restaurants and admission pricing and packages at each zoo entrance are available in printed form upon request. Whenever needed, a pad of paper and pen will be made available to guests for communicating with staff. Staff members are always happy to read menus to guests if requested. They offer Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, and Gluten Free options at Graze Kitchen and Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free options at BZ Red Hots
Theater, Auditorium, etc. (Museum)

Our Guidelines

1. Make Accessibility Info Easy to Find - Dedicated Website Accessibility Page

Clearly post detailed accessibility information online, covering parking, entrances, interior pathways, site plans, and more.

2. Include All Mobility Devices

Consider walkers, canes, crutches — not just wheelchairs. Provide specifics for a variety of mobility needs. Include people who use different devices in the conversation.

3. Go Beyond ADA Compliance

ADA is the minimum. Strive for real-world accessibility through thoughtful design and ongoing improvements.

4. Visibility = Accessibility

If disabled visitors aren't present, barriers may exist. Transparency and preparation are the keys to inclusion. Empower everyone to attend.

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Brookfield Zoo

Getting To and From

Inside the Venue