I always loved this Zoo, I went here often as a child. As soon as you arive you get a map that tells you where all the exibits are and how to get to them. Brookfield Zoo is beautifully decorated for Christmas too. Something everyone should see. In case you are visiting from out of town here is the link for the driving map and directions http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/0.asp?nSection=9&PageID=248&nLinkID=22 Here at the Zoo you can see all kinds of animals, they also have a petting zoo for the little ones to enjoy. My favorite part of the Zoo was their Dolphin Show. Here is their 2006 Events Schedule Fall Lecture Series: The Great Outdoors: Exploring Nature’s Reserves "Living with Wolves” Jim and Jamie Dutcher Tuesday, November 7 Experience the inner lives of wolves through Jim and Jamie Dutcher. They will present an evening of images and stories of the wolf pack they lived with for six years in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. The Dutchers call for preserving wild spaces as a way to preserve wolf populations and avoid the confrontations with ranchers and encroaching civilization that continue to threaten wolves with extinction. Register online. Veteran's Day November 10 (Friday) To honor those who have proudly served our nation, Brookfield Zoo will be offering free general admission to all visitors on Veteran's Day, Friday, November 10. (Parking and attraction fees will apply.) Everyone is invited to attend a special recognition ceremony which will include special presentations from the Rickover Naval Academy, USO vocalist Alison Ruble, and Barbara Hunt of the Veteran's Administration. Afterwards, meet Leah, the zoo's bald eagle. A Children's Zoo keeper will be on hand to talk about our national symbol and answer any questions. Nights in the Wild: Bijou Break, The Swamp November 17 Community and Corporate Tree Trim November 18-19 (Saturday-Sunday) Begin your holiday season at Brookfield Zoo's Community and Corporate Tree Trim in preparation for the zoo's annual Holiday Magic. Get in the holiday spirit by purchasing and decorating a community or corporate tree. The trees are decorated with animal-safe ornaments and are displayed on the zoo's malls and around Roosevelt Fountain. Purchase your Community Tree Trim package online Purchase your Corporate Tree Trim package online Wines in the Wild at Brookfield Zoo Sunday, November 19, 2006 Wines in the Wild, presented by the Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society, combines wine tasting and a live auction. Proceeds support our conservation and education programs. The event, lasting from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., costs $75. Guests will receive a commemorative wineglass. Tickets available online. Dolphins on Parade in Hinsdale November 24 to January 14 (in Hinsdale) Auction on January 28, 2007 (at zoo) Last year, 30 penguins were let loose in Hinsdale. These fiberglass birds -- part of the village’s annual holiday event -- were displayed throughout the downtown area. At the end of the event, the penguins were auctioned off at Brookfield Zoo, raising more than $34,000 toward upkeep of The Living Coast. It is dolphins’ turn this year. Thanks to a partnership with the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Hinsdale, fiberglass dolphins will be displayed throughout the village for a six-week run, beginning on Friday, November 24, and ending on Sunday, January 14. The five-foot-high fiberglass figures will be auctioned off at the zoo on Sunday, January 28. Fall Lecture Series: The Great Outdoors: Exploring Nature’s Reserves “Bringing Back Our Great Lakes” Cameron Davis Tuesday, December 5 The Alliance for the Great Lakes is the oldest independent Great Lakes citizens’ organization in the United States or Canada. President Cameron Davis will talk about the re-emergence of these lakes as a national and international treasure, the politics of water, and what ordinary people are doing to bring back the health of our HOMES. (Find out what the acronym means at the lecture!) Register online. Breakfast with Santa December 9, 10, 16, 17 (Saturdays and Sundays) Enjoy breakfast with Ol' Saint Nick and his friends at Brookfield Zoo. The all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet is served at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m., followed by a photo opportunity with Santa. Afterwards, bundle up and visit the zoo's animals, including the polar bears, brown bears, and reindeer. Breakfast with Santa will feature a performance by the Banjo Buddies. The cost is $31 for adults and $21.50 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $21 and $15.50). Children 2 and under eat for free. Seating is limited. For reservations and more information, call the zoo's Catered Events Department at 708-485-0263, ext.355. Holiday Brunch December 3, 10, or 17 (Sundays) Bring the family to Brookfield Zoo for its annual Holiday Brunch at Bocaditos restaurant. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes carved meats, omelets, seafood, and holiday treats. Santa will make an appearance along with BZ Bear, the zoo's popular costumed character. Seatings are offered at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The cost is $43 for adults and $29 for children 3-11 (zoo members pay $33 and $23). Children 2 and under eat for free. Seating is limited. For more information and to make reservations, call Brookfield Zoo's Catered Events Department at 708-485-0263, ext. 355. Holiday Magic Saturdays and Sundays in December All week December 26 - 31 (except for Christmas Eve) Celebrate the holiday season with family and friends at Brookfield Zoo's 25th annual Holiday Magic, featuring nearly one million twinkling lights illuminating the zoo's walkways. Festive activities include ice-carving demonstrations, carolers, family entertainment, visits with Santa and costumed characters, "Sing to the Animals," photo opportunities with Children's Zoo animals, a special "Zoo Year's Eve" celebration, and much more! Of course, many of the zoo's animal exhibits are open, as are gift shops and restaurants. During the event the zoo grounds will stay open until 9:00 p.m. (exhibits and restaurants will close 30 minutes earlier). Dates and times are subject to change without notice. Brookfield Zoo is open every day of the year from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day zoo hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children 3-11 and seniors 65 and over. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Admission to the zoo is free on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in January and February; and from October through December, admission is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parking is $8 for cars and $10 for buses (a Cook County parking tax is included). The zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago. The zoo is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service. Here is the link for the Brookfield Zoo http://www.brookfieldzoo.org/ Hide