Things to do / Travel Guide
The Metro Chicago and Southern Wisconsin region has a number of world-class zoos, most of them running close to the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Chicago and the Surrounding Area
The region also has aquariums, one of which is the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, which also boasts the title of world's largest indoor aquarium. The Oceanarium exhibit contains 3 million gallons of saltwater including a 35,000-gallon veterinary pool. In the Caribbean Reef exhibit you'll gather around a 90,000-gallon circular habitat in order to watch and listen to a diver who feeds animals like rays, parrotfish, angels, and puffers.
Nearby, and free of charge, is the Lincoln Park Zoo. Among the interesting exhibits at this attraction is The Regenstein African Journey, which features large, lush habitats for wild dogs, rhinos, crocodiles, and many other African animals. Enter the McCormick Bird House and you step into a lush, tropical free-flight area to watch exotic and endangered birds gracefully soar overhead. This habitat alone is home to more than 20 bird species. And there's much, much more the zoo has to offer.
Don't worry that the Brookfield Zoo is huge. There are many wonderful animals and activities throughout to keep kids happy and interested. Located near Chicago, in Brookfield, the zoo hosts about 3,000 animals, showcasing some of them in 21 award-winning exhibits.
The Cosley Zoo, in Wheaton, Illinois, is small but comprehensive, and it's perfect for children. It's an especially great place for a birthday party, and they'll even help you to come up with a theme: “Pony Pals” gets the kids on a pony, while “Buggy Buggey” is for inquisitive types who like to check out the bug world. Another party theme has you bringing gifts to the animals to see how they react. Your kids will love it!
Racine
To the north, but still along Lake Michigan, is the Racine Zoological Gardens. At the center of the zoo stands the Eleanor K. Benstead Discovery Center, where you can watch the big cats (lions, tigers, panthers, etc.) and the orangutans swinging from rope trapezes up close. The zoo offers birthday parties with the animals, as well as group field trips.
Milwaukee
The Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens features The Safari Train Station rolling through the woods and meadows of the zoo, where riders may catch a glimpse of a red fox, or white-tailed deer. The Birds of Prey Theater lets visitors witness these amazing birds flying free and swooping low over their heads.
Madison
Lastly, the Henry Vilas Zoo extends over 28-acres where the animals live in a natural-like habitat. Some of the animals you'll see include great apes, a red kangaroo, and polar bears. And it's all free!
And finally, somewhat off-the-beaten-path in the region, you can take a tour through the ½-mile trail at International Crane Foundation, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and you will see and learn about a variety of cranes, including the Whooping Crane.
Zoos and Aquariums in Chicago, Illinois, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Madison
Zoos-Aquariums
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