Brookfield Zoo Membership

Brookfield Zoo offers individual, senior, and family memberships. Here is how they break down, with the most important benefits for each:

For most solo seniors, the Individual Plus (~$79) or Senior (~$65) membership is the right choice. The Senior membership is the lowest cost entry point. The Individual Unlimited (~$129) becomes worth it if you enjoy the attractions — free Dolphin Discovery, Motor Safari, and more add up quickly in a single visit.

The math is one of the most compelling reasons to join. Here is the real calculation for a senior:

The parking benefit is especially significant. Without a membership, parking alone at the North Gate is $17 per visit. With membership, parking is included. If you visit just 5 times in a year, the parking savings alone can total $85 — more than the membership fee.

The key breakeven point: if you visit twice in a year, the membership already saves you money compared to paying gate admission and parking both times. Most seniors who enjoy regular walks outdoors will find this a very worthwhile investment.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo offers both one-year and two-year memberships, and the two-year option is highlighted on their official website as the best value.

• One-year membership: Valid for 12 months from the purchase month. For example, if you join in March, your membership is valid through the end of March the following year.
• Two-year membership: Valid for 24 months from the purchase month. Typically offers a better per-year price than buying two consecutive one-year memberships.
• Early renewal: You can renew as early as 6 months before your membership expires. The new membership period starts after your current one ends — periods never overlap.
• Renewing online or in person: Immediately activates your membership and generates your new membership card. Renewing by phone or mail takes 3–5 weeks to process depending on time of year.
• Rejoining after expiration: Also an option, with immediate access when purchased online or in person.

Practical tip for seniors: If you plan to visit regularly, renewing 6 months early locks in your membership year without any gap in benefits. Renewing online or at the zoo gives you immediate access rather than waiting weeks for mailed materials.

In addition to the main zoo exhibits — which are included with admission and membership — Brookfield Zoo has several paid attractions that cost extra for regular visitors. Here is what each one costs without a membership and how membership affects the price:

Key point for seniors: If you enjoy the Motor Safari (a relaxing tram ride that’s great for those who tire easily walking the full 235 acres), the Unlimited membership’s free access to all attractions can save $4–$6 on that ride alone per visit. Do the motor safari twice a year and you’ve recovered most of the extra cost of upgrading from Individual Plus ($79) to Individual Unlimited ($129).

This is one of the most useful aspects of a zoo membership for grandparents. Here is exactly how guests and grandchildren are handled:

• Grandchildren under 18 living in your household: May be covered under your membership for free admission. This applies to Family-tier memberships. Check the specific tier you purchase, as some individual tiers have limits on covered children.
• Children under 3: Always free — no membership needed, and they do not count against any membership’s child limit. They simply walk in with you.
• Children ages 3–17 on your membership: Eligible for free admission when visiting with you. If they visit without you, they can use one of your membership cards with a photo ID to prove they are on your membership.
• One-time-use guest admission tickets: Most membership tiers include a set of these tickets. They can be given to anyone — including family members or friends who are not on your membership — and used even if you are not present at the zoo that day. However, parking is not included with guest admission tickets (paid parking still required).
• Important: Membership cards are non-transferable for adults — only the named person on the card may use it. But the one-time-use guest tickets can be freely given away.

For grandparents specifically: A Family Basic membership (~$199) covers 2 adults plus grandchildren under 18, making it very practical for grandparents who regularly bring grandkids to the zoo. For a solo grandparent, an Individual membership paired with guest tickets for the grandchildren’s visits is often more cost-effective.

Brookfield Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) through September 2028, and it does participate in the AZA’s Reciprocal Admissions Program. This means your Brookfield membership may give you free or discounted admission at 150+ zoos and aquariums across the country when you travel.

How it works: AZA zoos are assigned a reciprocity level (50% or 100%). If your home zoo (Brookfield) and the zoo you want to visit are both at the 100% level, you may receive free admission. If one is at 50%, you receive 50% off. This benefit is particularly valuable for seniors who travel to visit family in other cities — you can visit a local zoo near relatives using your Brookfield membership.

Important caveats to know before you go:

• Always call the destination zoo before your visit to confirm reciprocal benefits and what proof is required
• Some zoos near Brookfield — including the Milwaukee County Zoo, Racine Zoo, and certain other regional zoos — have chosen not to reciprocate with Brookfield because they are in close geographic proximity (this is allowed under AZA rules)
• Reciprocity covers admission only — not parking, special exhibits, or events with separate fees
• Bring your membership card AND a photo ID to the destination zoo
• The AZA updates its reciprocal admissions chart regularly; current list available at aza.org/reciprocity

Brookfield Zoo offers free general admission during January and February each year. In the most recently confirmed schedule, free days ran from January 5 through the end of February, with the zoo open 10am to 4pm on those days.

For non-members, these free winter days are a wonderful opportunity to visit the zoo without paying the $24.95–$29.95 gate price. However:

• Parking fees still apply — even on free admission days. Bring cash or a card for parking ($17 at North Gate, $20 at South Gate). Members with free parking benefits do not pay for parking on any day.
• The zoo is open every single day of the year — including holidays, so winter visits are always possible even outside the official free day period
• For current members: Free days are still beneficial because your attractions, dining discounts, and other member benefits still apply. You are also entering the members’ lane which is typically faster than the general admission queue.
• Paid attractions (Dolphin Discovery, Motor Safari, etc.) may still require payment on free days for non-members — check the Brookfield Zoo website for current policies before your visit

Free days are especially popular. Arriving early (around 10am when the zoo opens) is the best way to avoid large crowds and have a more relaxed experience.

Joining is straightforward and can be done online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the zoo. Here is the process:

1. Choose your membership tier at BrookfieldZoo.org/membership. Read each level carefully and pick the one that matches how often you plan to visit and whether you want the paid attractions included.

2. Purchase online at BrookfieldZoo.org for immediate access, or call the Membership Department at (708) 688-8341 (Mon–Sun, 9am–3pm CT), or buy in person at the zoo ticket window.

3. Bring valid photo ID to the zoo that matches the name and address on your membership record. This is required every visit — the zoo uses ID to prevent membership sharing. A driver’s license or state ID works perfectly.

4. If purchasing online or at the zoo: Your membership activates immediately and you receive a temporary or digital card to use right away. Physical membership cards arrive by mail afterward.

5. If purchasing by phone or mail: Physical membership materials take 3–5 weeks to arrive. Plan ahead if you want immediate access — purchase online or at the zoo instead.

6. Download the Brookfield Zoo app from the Apple App Store or Google Play for a digital membership card, GPS-enabled zoo map, and other planning tools — all helpful for navigating the 235-acre park.

Age requirement: Any adult age 18 or older may become a member. Two adults in the same household may share a membership if it includes two adult admissions.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo offers gift memberships, and they make an excellent gift for seniors who enjoy the outdoors, nature, and animals. Gift memberships are available in all the standard tiers (Individual, Senior, Family, etc.) and can be purchased online at BrookfieldZoo.org.

A few practical details about gift memberships:

• The recipient sets up their own account and receives the full benefits from the date of activation
• The membership is valid for 12 months from the first visit, or one year from purchase if unused — so there is no pressure to rush and use it immediately
• Reminders are typically sent 30 and 7 days before expiration to encourage timely renewal
• Gift memberships are non-refundable but fully transferable upon activation

For adult children or grandchildren who want to give a meaningful, experience-based gift to a senior parent or grandparent — a zoo membership provides an entire year of outings, which research shows is genuinely good for older adults’ physical and mental health.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo offers wheelchair and electric convenience vehicle (ECV/scooter) rentals at both the North and South Gate entrances. These are especially important for seniors who can walk short distances but would tire crossing a 235-acre park.

Reserving in advance is highly recommended — the zoo’s official accessibility page notes that quantities of ECVs and wheelchairs are limited, and you should reserve one before your visit to guarantee availability.

How to reserve:

• Online reservation link available at BrookfieldZoo.org/accessibility
• By phone: Call (708) 688-8347 — leave your name, phone number, and date of visit
• If you call before 5pm CT, staff will return your call the same day; after 5pm, next business day
• Same-day reservations are not accepted — call or book at least one day in advance
• A picture ID is required to rent mobility equipment; you must be 16 or older to operate a rented scooter

Rental prices are subject to change — confirm the current rate when you call. As a general reference, wheelchair rentals have historically been around $15 and ECVs around $30, but verify directly with the zoo.

If you arrive at the North Gate and did not reserve ahead: A crew member can call to have a wheelchair or ECV brought up to the North entrance if one is available.

Yes — the Motor Safari is Brookfield Zoo’s tram tour, and it is one of the most practical options for seniors who want to see the zoo without extensive walking. It offers a seated ride through the zoo grounds.

• The Motor Safari is wheelchair accessible — confirmed on the official accessibility page
• Non-members: $6 per adult, $4 per senior, $3 per child (3–11)
• Explorer (Plus) members: 50% off
• Adventurer (Unlimited) members: FREE

The Motor Safari is especially valuable on hot summer days or for any visitor who has limited stamina for extended walking. It allows you to see large portions of the zoo from a comfortable seated position, and you can still stop and walk to exhibits that interest you most.

Planning tip for seniors: Start your visit with the Motor Safari to orient yourself to the layout of the 235-acre park, then spend your energy walking to the specific exhibits that appeal to you most. This approach helps you make the most of your energy for the things you most want to see.

Brookfield Zoo has several sensory and hearing accommodations that are directly relevant to many older adults:

• BZ Care Kits: Available at Guest Services at both the North and South Gate. These kits are free to borrow and include: noise-reducing headphones, strobe-reduction eyeglasses, fidget tools, a feeling thermometer, a visual cue card, and an ID card with lanyard. Very useful for anyone sensitive to crowds or loud environments — including many seniors.
• Sensory Room/Resource Center: Located in the Hamill Family Play Zoo, offering a quiet space with noise-cancelling headphones, visual schedule books, and other accessible resources.
• Sensory-friendly mornings: Held on the 4th Sunday of most months, with early access to the Play Zoo in a quieter setting.
• Captioned videos: The videos playing in The Living Coast exhibit and the Seven Seas Dolphin Underwater Viewing area are captioned.
• Sign Language interpreters: Available for public programs and classes with advance request. Call (708) 688-8338.
• Illinois Relay Service: Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing can reach the zoo through the Illinois Relay Service by dialing 711 and then (708) 688-8000.

For other accommodation needs — beyond wheelchairs and ECVs — the zoo requests at least 14 days advance notice. Contact the ADA Coordinator at (708) 688-8559 or complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form at BrookfieldZoo.org/accessibility.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo offers a complimentary attendant pass for guests who need the assistance of a caregiver or companion during their visit. According to the zoo’s official Guest Accessibility Guide, this complimentary pass can be obtained at any of the ticket windows at the entrance to the zoo.

This is a meaningful benefit for seniors who need a family member, friend, or paid caregiver to accompany and assist them. Instead of paying two admissions, the assisting companion enters free.

Additionally, for line accommodations: guests with disabilities are not required to wait in regular lines at the Carousel — they can enter through the exit lane once the Carousel has emptied from the previous ride. This accommodation applies at other attractions as well; the full accessibility guide (available at BrookfieldZoo.org/accessibility) includes specific instructions for each exhibit and show.

For the Dolphin Discovery show, be aware that ADA seating is in the front row, which is in the splash zone. The zoo provides tarps but cannot guarantee they will be in place before the splash occurs.

Yes — multiple peer-reviewed studies published in scientific journals have measured the real physiological and psychological effects of zoo visits:

• Lower blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormone): A peer-reviewed study published in PLOS ONE (Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, 2020) measured visitors before and after walking through an immersive zoo exhibit. Results showed a significant reduction in both salivary cortisol and blood pressure. Visitors also reported feeling happier, more energized, and less tense after the visit.
• Benefits specifically for older adults: A peer-reviewed study published in Anthrozoös (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Azabu University, 2021) specifically studied older Japanese adults visiting a zoo. They found that cortisol and/or blood pressure fell significantly (p<0.05) after the zoo visit, mood improved on multiple scales, and — notably — oxytocin (the social bonding hormone) increased significantly (p<0.05) during zoo visits compared to park visits alone.
• Physical exercise through walking: A study reviewed in PMC (PubMed Central) found that a single zoo visit results in approximately 6,000 steps walked — enough to meaningfully contribute to daily physical activity goals without feeling like exercise. The paved, relatively flat pathways of Brookfield Zoo make this accessible even for seniors with reduced mobility.

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and the University of Minnesota both note that spending time in green outdoor spaces is associated with reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety among older adults. A study in Frontiers in Psychology found that exposure to green spaces reduces cortisol and helps regulate mood.

In short: walking through a zoo combines gentle exercise, stress reduction, social engagement, and nature exposure — four factors that research consistently links to better health outcomes in older adults.