Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s regular hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on weekends.
- Regular hours: Open daily
- Weekly closures: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Seasonal schedule: Summer hours may extend the day
- Exhibit timing: Some areas close before the zoo does
Before booking, check Brookfield Zoo ticket information for details that may affect your visit.
Where to check today's zoo hours
The zoo’s official hours page is the place to confirm Brookfield Zoo Chicago hours for your visit date. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM–6 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Hours can change for seasonal schedules and special dates, so check the official site before you go. If you’re searching for “Brookfield Zoo hours today,” confirm the date-specific information rather than assuming the weekday or weekend schedule applies.
Seasonal schedules and special dates
Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s summer schedule has traditionally extended from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with hours of 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Seasonal dates and schedules can vary, so treat that pattern as a guide and verify the hours for your planned visit.
Holiday events can also have their own operating schedules and may affect which areas are open. The regular closure days remain important when planning around the holiday period: the zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Check the zoo’s official schedule for any event-specific hours that apply to your date.
How hours affect your visit plan
- Ticket
- add-on experiences, have date-specific times
Plan around the closing time of the areas you most want to see, not only the zoo’s closing time. Tropic World is listed as closing at 3:30 p.m., earlier than the zoo’s regular weekday and weekend closing times. Planning a Brookfield Zoo visit from Hillside can help you make the most of the day.
The available exhibits can vary with weather, temperature and animal-care needs. Before you arrive, review the zoo’s “See What’s Open” information for areas such as Australia, Big Cats, Great Bear Wilderness, Hamill Family Play Zoo and Sea Lion Cove.
That gives you a more useful starting point for ordering your visit than relying on a fixed list of open exhibits.
Daily activities, including shows and ticket-add-on experiences, have date-specific times. Check the activities schedule for your visit date, then build those timed options into your day. If a particular exhibit or activity matters to your plans, confirm its availability close to your visit.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is about an 18-minute drive from Hillside Manor Motel. A stay at a motel in Hillside can help you plan an early start around the zoo’s hours.
Last entry and exhibit timing to confirm
The supplied hours information does not specify a general last-entry time. Don’t assume that admission continues until closing: confirm entry details with the zoo before you set out, especially if you expect to arrive late in the day.
Exhibit closing times may differ from the grounds’ hours. Tropic World’s listed 3:30 p.m. closing is one example, while other exhibit availability can change. Check the official daily schedule and open-area information for current details before choosing what to visit first.
FAQs
- Ticket
- add-on experiences
What are Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s regular hours?
Open daily. Seasonal schedules may differ.
Is Brookfield Zoo Chicago open every day?
It is open daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Does the whole zoo stay open until closing?
No. Tropic World is listed as closing at 3:30 p.m., and exhibit availability may change with weather, temperature and animal-care needs.
Where can you check activities for your visit date?
Use the zoo’s official daily activities schedule, which gives date-specific times for activities, shows and ticket-add-on experiences.