The Top Zoos in Illinois

The state of Illinois is famous for its culturalthe animals separated from the visitors and each
attractions and its state-of-the art medical facilities.other. Brookfield's comprehensive collection of fauna
Visitors seeking the best services for beasts orincludes the first Giant Panda shown in America as
humans can find a zoological garden or an Illinoiswell as specialty exhibits such as the Baboon Island,
hospital for their own particular needs and interests.Australia House, Dolphin show, Wolf Woods,
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, founded in 1868, isPachyderm House, and the Reptile House. It also
one of the oldest zoos in the United States and alsoincludes the world-famous Tropic World which
one of the most up-to-date. Every year the Lincolnrecreates a tropical rain forest complete with
Park Zoo receives more than 3,000,000 visitors. Thegaily-colored birds, monkeys, even a thunderstorm
zoo is open 365 days a year, and it offers manysimulation. There are also a play zoo and petting zoo
educational programs as well as old-fashionedfor children, where visitors can get up close and
enjoyment and fun for the whole family. Visitors caninteract directly with the animals. The Motor Safari
get up very close to the animals and gazetram allows visitors to take a guided tour of the
eyeball-to-eyeball with a lowland gorilla or anentire grounds. There are gift shops and various
enormous brown bear. Lincoln Park Zoo is famousoptions available for dining.
not only for its wide collection of fauna from all overThe Cosley Zoo in Wheaton Illinois is located on 5
the world, but also for its architecture and technicalacres of land and specializes in domestic farm animals
facilities. Visitors of all ages thrill to theand also wildlife native to Illinois. The pleasant grounds
Four-Dimensional Virtual Safari simulator, the LPZoofeature an area where visitors can picnic, as well as a
Express train ride, and the Safari Audio Tour.gift shop and eating concessions. The Wildlife Prairie
Although entrance to Lincoln Park Zoo is free, thereState Park also features native Illinois wildlife. Located
is a small fee for taking in these special attractions.ten miles west of Peoria on Interstate 74, this two
The zoo also features two excellent gift shops andthousand acre zoological garden exhibits bison, black
several restaurant options, and is convenientlybears, cougars, elk, otters, waterfowl, wolves, and
located near the top 10 hospitals in Illinois.many other species.
Just west of Chicago, in Brookfield Illinois, is theAlso in Peoria, located near many hospitals in Il, is the
Brookfield Zoo. This zoo, established in 1934, is alsoGlenn Oak Zoo. This zoological garden features a
open 365 days a year. Its 2000 animals range overhundred animal species from around the world.
200 acres of land which is landscaped to recreate theBesides its collection of fauna the zoo offers sea lion
natural habitats of the animals. Instead of cages thisperformances and critter chats daily. There is a good
zoo uses moats and other natural barriers to keepgift shop and restaurant.