Brookfield ZoovsShedd Aquarium
Both Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium are rated highly by reviewers writing for major publications. On balance, Shedd Aquarium scores significantly higher than Brookfield Zoo. Shedd Aquarium comes in at 95 with positive reviews from 9 reviews such as Time Out, Concierge and Not For Tourists.
Brookfield Zoo
Fodor's
Time Out
Not For Tourists
Michelin Guide
National Geographic
Where
Travel + Leisure
Frommer's
8400 W 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513
From $0/night
Fodor's "Spend the day among more than 2,000 animals at this gigantic zoo." Full review
i
Be sure to watch the polar bears from the popular underwater viewing area.
Time Out "Set on 216 acres, Brookfield is home to nearly 6,000 animals, including 3,000 invertebrates, representing 436 species." Full review
Not For Tourists "216 acres of creepy critters make for a memorable day trip."
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"The zoo's exhibit highlights include Seven Seas with its dolphin presentation, Tropic World's primates, The Fragile Kingdom's African desert and Asian rain forest habitat...and more." Full review
National Geographic "Offering up-close encounters with iconic North American wildlife, including polar bears, Mexican gray wolves, and bald eagles." Full review
i
Tip: Keep your eyes open for 38 poems artistically installed around the exhibit through a variety of media—carved into wood, sandblasted into rock, and even digitally printed on translucent Plexiglas.
Where "This animal kingdom located about 15 miles west of Chicago has a wild array of wonderful creatures." Full review
Travel + Leisure "Animals from all over the world — including wallabies, lions, and dolphins — make their home just west of Chicago at the Brookfield Zoo"
14 of the Best Zoos in the U.S.
April 8, 2022
Frommer's "Brookfield, located in the western suburbs, is enormous, spreading out over 216 acres and housing thousands of animals...indoor and outdoor settings, filled with activities to keep kids interested." Full review
Shedd Aquarium Fodor's
Concierge Time Out Not For Tourists Michelin Guide National Geographic Where Frommer's
1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
From $0/night
Fodor's "One of the most popular aquariums in the country, the Shedd houses more than 32,500 creatures from around the world." Full review
Concierge "Encased in a handsome marble octagon overlooking the Lake, the Shedd is the world's largest indoor aquarium."
Time Out "Anchoring the aquatic offerings at this 75-year-old institution are enduring favorites such as piranhas, frogs and snakes of the Amazon." Full review
Not For Tourists "Marine and freshwater creatures from around the world are on view in this 1929 Classical Greek-inspired Beaux Arts structure."
Michelin Guide 3 Stars
"The world's largest indoor aquarium. It houses some 8,000 aquatic animals comprising 650 species from around the globe." Full review
i
Don't miss the new Fantasea marine show in the Oceanarium's amphitheater.
National Geographic "Popular lakefront aquarium with 1,000-seat amphitheater for dolphin shows." Full review
Where "From frolicking sea otters to sharks and exotic eels, the Shedd Aquarium is home to an array of fascinating aquatic animals." Full review
Frommer's "The Shedd is one of the world's largest indoor aquariums and houses thousands of river, lake, and sea denizens in standard aquarium tanks and elaborate new habitats." Full review
