Field Trips

Illinois students on a field trip are free. By making a reservation, your adult chaperones are also free. Parking and attractions are an additional fee.

Instructions for advance payment of parking and attractions is included in your confirmation email.

Groups of ten or more home-schooled children will not be charged admission to Brookfield Zoo Chicago, the same as any Illinois school group. In turn for free admission and to avoid any abuse of this free admission benefit, we ask that home school groups provide verification of their legitimate home school status. Examples of such verification include, but are not limited to, the examples below. Any legitimate verification is acceptable:

• Documentation verifying registration with the Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) organization, Homeschool Life, or a homeschool support group.

• Membership in the Home School Legal Defense (HSLDA) organization; a copy of the membership card will be considered sufficient.

• Registration as a home school with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) or the Regional Office of Education (ROE) serving the community in which you are located. A signed copy of the registration form will be considered sufficient.

For your registration, you will need to upload your documents during your registration. Please have these ready before proceeding. Brookfield Zoo Chicago reserves the right to request further information for verification purposes.

Illinois Head Start Association students on a field trip are free. By making a reservation, your adult chaperones are also free. Parking and attractions are an additional fee. Instructions for advance payment of parking and attractions is included in your confirmation email.

In order to register, your Head Start program must be listed on the IHSA website. For your registration, you will need your school's information. Brookfield Zoo Chicago reserves the right to request further information for verification purposes.

Illinois college students on a field trip are free. By making a reservation, your adult chaperones are also free. Parking and attractions are an additional fee. Instructions for advance payment of parking and attractions is included in your confirmation email.

For your registration, you will need your school's information. Brookfield Zoo Chicago reserves the right to request further information for verification purposes.

Your group is eligible for a discounted group rate for 20 or more paid visitors.

Your group is eligible for a discounted group rate for 20 or more paid visitors.

Your group is eligible for a discounted group rate for 20 or more paid visitors.

Admission for children and chaperones (including teachers) is FREE for reserved qualified Illinois Schools on weekdays only between Labor Day and Memorial Day. This includes Head Start, public, and private Illinois groups serving pre-kindergarten through college for self-guided field trips.

Parking and attraction fees still apply. If you require a quote for parking or attractions, please contact Admissions@brookfieldzoo.org or call 708-688-8809.

All buses for field trips MUST park in the NORTH PARKING LOT located off of 31st Street and Golfview Rd. The North Parking lot's GPS Address is: 8400 31st Street, Brookfield, IL. 60513.

• Bus parking is $25.00 per bus

• Cars and vans are $17 each in the North Lot

Parking is payable upon arrival. Accepted payment methods: Cash, Credit Card, or School Checks made to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. (Prices Subject to change)

Bus parking may also be purchased in advance online via Credit Card here: Brookfield Zoo Chicago - Group Tickets (please make sure to only select the bus parking option)

• Driver's must bring a copy of the QR code from the emailed receipt.

Yes. All buses that enter the parking lot will be charged parking, regardless if they are staying for the duration of your visit or just dropping off.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago has several outdoor areas with picnic tables. The two largest areas of these tables are behind BZ Red Hots in the East Mall and south of the bison habitat on the west side of the zoo.

Thanks to our food service partners, SSA, you can now check out our new Animeals program! Click here to learn more and for instructions on how to order.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago does not offer storage. Please make plans to carry your items/lunches with you or leave them on the bus.

Cancellations: Please use the cancel link provided in your confirmation email. This can be done until 10 days before your self-guided field trip. If it is less than 10 days from your visit date, forward your confirmation email to FieldTrip@brookfieldzoo.org with your request to cancel. For any purchased tickets, contact Admissions@brookfieldzoo.org.

Date Changes:
1. Make a new reservation.
2. Cancel your original trip using the method above.

Attraction fees still apply and are payable in cash, credit, or check.