Brookfield Zoo Membership

Brookfield Zoo offers individual, senior, and family memberships. Here is how each one breaks down:

For most solo seniors, the Senior tier (~$65) or Individual Plus (~$79) is the right starting point. Upgrade to Individual Unlimited (~$129) if you enjoy the tram tour or dolphin show — free access to those quickly justifies the extra cost. The Family Basic (~$199) is the clear choice for grandparents who regularly bring grandchildren.

The math is one of the strongest arguments for joining. Here is how the numbers look for a senior who visits with or without a guest:

The parking benefit matters more than most people realize. Without a membership, parking alone costs $17 every time you pull in. Visit five times and that’s $85 in parking — already more than the membership fee. The admission and parking together make the math undeniable after just two visits.

If you also use the Motor Safari (tram ride) — $4 for seniors without a membership — an Individual Unlimited membership at ~$129 saves you that cost on every visit, making it the better value for people who use the attractions regularly.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo offers both one-year and two-year memberships, and the zoo itself highlights the two-year option as the best value.

• One-year membership: Valid for 12 months from the purchase month. Join in April, and your membership runs through the end of April the following year.
• Two-year membership: Valid for 24 months from the purchase month — typically a better per-year price than two consecutive one-year memberships.
• Early renewal: You can renew up to 6 months before expiration. The new period starts after the current one ends — no time is wasted and no periods overlap.
• Practical tip: Renewing online or in person at the zoo gives you immediate access. Renewing by phone or mail takes 3–5 weeks for physical materials to arrive — plan accordingly if you have a visit coming up soon.

For seniors on a fixed income, locking in a two-year membership at a lower per-year cost is a simple way to reduce annual expenses while keeping a regular outdoor activity on the calendar.

Beyond the main exhibits — all included with any admission or membership — Brookfield Zoo has several paid attractions. Here is what each costs without a membership and how membership affects the price:

Most useful for seniors with mobility considerations: The Motor Safari is a tram ride through the zoo grounds — seated, comfortable, and wheelchair accessible. If you take it twice in a season, the Unlimited membership’s free access more than covers the price difference between the Plus and Unlimited tiers. For the Carousel’s 20th anniversary celebration, some rides have been offered free to all guests — worth checking the current events calendar before your visit.

Guest access is one of the most useful features of a Brookfield Zoo membership — especially for grandparents. Here is exactly how it works:

• Minor grandchildren under 18 who live in your household are covered under your membership for free admission when visiting with you.
• Children under 3 are always free — no membership, no ticket, no card needed. They simply walk in.
• Children 3–17 on your account: If they visit without you, give them your membership card. They may be asked for a photo ID to confirm the last name on the membership matches.
• One-time-use guest admission tickets are included with most tiers. These can be given to anyone — a neighbor, a friend, a grandchild — and used even when you are not at the zoo. The tickets do require paid parking. They cannot be used to avoid paying parking.
• Membership cards themselves cannot be shared or loaned — only the named member may use the card.

For grandparents who regularly bring grandkids: The Family Basic membership (~$199) covering 2 adults and all grandchildren under 18 is usually the most cost-effective option. A solo grandparent who brings grandchildren only occasionally is often better served with an Individual or Senior membership supplemented by guest tickets for the grandkids’ visits.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in its Reciprocal Admissions Program. This means your Brookfield membership card may give you free or discounted admission at 150+ zoos and aquariums across the country when you visit.

This benefit is particularly appealing for seniors who travel to visit family in other cities. Rather than paying admission at a local zoo, your Brookfield card may handle it.

• AZA zoos are assigned reciprocity levels (50% or 100% discount). Call the destination zoo ahead of time to confirm what applies.
• Bring your membership card AND a photo ID — both are typically required to claim the reciprocal benefit.
• Reciprocity covers general admission only, not parking, special exhibits, or events with separate fees.
• A handful of zoos geographically close to Brookfield have opted out of the reciprocal program with Brookfield specifically — always call ahead rather than assuming it works.
• The AZA regularly updates its reciprocal admissions list at aza.org/reciprocity.

Brookfield Zoo offers free general admission from January 5 through February 28, with two exceptions: January 19 and February 16 are not free days. On free days, the zoo is open 10am to 4pm.

A few important things to know about free days:

• Parking fees still apply — free admission doesn’t mean free parking. Bring $17 for North Gate or $20 for South Gate parking.
• Members with parking benefits still don’t pay for parking on free days — so membership remains valuable even during the free admission period.
• Attraction fees may still apply for the Motor Safari, Carousel, and other paid experiences on free days for non-members. Check the zoo website before visiting.
• Free days can be popular — arriving close to 10am when the zoo opens helps you get in before crowds build. Winter mornings are also a wonderful time to see animals that are more active in cooler weather — polar bears, snow leopards, and American bison in particular.
• The zoo is open 365 days a year — including holidays — so winter visits are always an option beyond the free admission window.

For seniors living in Cook County or DuPage County, there may also be additional free or reduced admission programs through local libraries, the Chicago Public Library’s Explore More Illinois pass program, or Museums for All for SNAP/EBT cardholders. Check the zoo’s Discounts and Free Days page for current programs.

Joining is easy and can be done online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the zoo. Online and in-person are the fastest options — your membership activates immediately. Phone and mail take 3–5 weeks for physical materials to arrive.

1. Choose your tier at brookfieldzoo.org/membership. Read each level carefully — the Senior (~$65), Individual Plus (~$79), and Family Basic (~$199) are the most common choices for older adults and grandparents.

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

3. Save your card digitally — for online purchases, a PDF confirmation is emailed immediately and can be used right away as your member card. Download the Brookfield Zoo Chicago app to store your card in a digital wallet for easy access at the gate.

4. Bring valid photo ID every visit — the ID must match the name and address on your membership record. A driver’s license, state ID, or passport works. This is required on every single visit — no exceptions — to prevent membership sharing.

5. If you purchased by phone or mail: Physical membership packets take 3–5 weeks to arrive depending on time of year. Plan ahead or purchase online or in person if you have a visit coming up soon.

Who can join: Any adult 18 or older may become a member. Two adults living in the same household may share a membership if it includes two adult admissions.

Yes — Brookfield Zoo offers gift memberships, and they make an especially meaningful present for a grandparent, parent, or anyone who enjoys spending time outside with animals. Gift memberships are available in all standard tiers and can be purchased at brookfieldzoo.org.

A zoo membership as a gift gives the recipient an entire year of outings — something they will actually use rather than a physical object that might collect dust. For adult children giving a gift to an older parent who lives alone, a membership that covers grandchildren is a ready-made activity for every visit.

• Gift memberships activate when the recipient first uses them
• The recipient creates their own account and receives full benefits from the activation date
• Expiration reminders are sent 30 and 7 days before the membership ends
• Gift memberships are non-refundable

Yes — wheelchair and electric convenience vehicle (ECV/scooter) rentals are available at both the North and South Gate entrances. For a 216-acre park, this matters enormously for visitors who can walk short distances but would struggle with an extended trek across the full grounds.

How to reserve — this is the most important step:

• Call (708) 688-8347 at least one day before your visit to reserve
• Leave your name, phone number, and the date of your planned visit
• If you call before 5pm CT, staff returns your call the same day; after 5pm, the next business day
• Same-day reservations are not accepted — call ahead, not the morning of your visit
• A photo ID is required to rent; you must be 16 or older to operate a rented scooter
• If you arrive without a reservation and cannot find availability, a Guest Services crew member can check whether any units are available and coordinate pickup at the North Gate entrance

Rental fees apply and are subject to change — confirm the current rate when you call. The South Gate is recommended for guests with disabilities because it puts you closer to the main accessible pathways once you’re inside.

Yes — the Motor Safari is Brookfield Zoo’s tram tour. It’s a seated, narrated ride through the zoo grounds, and it’s one of the most practical choices for any visitor who wants to cover large portions of the park without extended walking.

• The Motor Safari is wheelchair accessible — confirmed by the zoo’s official accessibility page
• Non-member senior price: $4 per ride
• Individual Plus members: 50% off ($2 per ride)
• Individual Unlimited members: FREE

Practical tip for planning your visit: Start with the Motor Safari to orient yourself to where the various animal areas are across the grounds. Then spend your energy walking to the specific exhibits you most want to see. This approach conserves stamina and ensures you don’t exhaust yourself on the long path between the gate and the animals you most wanted to see.

On hot summer days, the Motor Safari also lets you enjoy the outdoors from a shaded, moving seat without standing in the sun for extended periods.

Brookfield Zoo has several accessibility accommodations that are directly relevant to many older adults — not just visitors with disabilities in the traditional sense:

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

For other accommodation needs, contact the ADA Coordinator at (708) 688-8559 or complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form at BrookfieldZoo.org/accessibility. Advance notice of at least 14 days is preferred for special arrangements.

Yes — a complimentary attendant pass is available at the ticket window on the day of your visit for guests who need the assistance of a caregiver or companion. You do not need to call ahead or make special arrangements in advance for this benefit — simply go to the ticket window when you arrive and ask for an attendant pass.

This is a meaningful benefit for seniors who cannot safely or comfortably navigate the zoo alone. Your companion enters free rather than paying the standard $29.95 adult admission.

Additional line accommodations for guests with disabilities:

• Guests with disabilities do not wait in the regular queue at the Carousel — they enter through the exit lane after the previous ride empties. This applies to other attractions as well.
• The Carousel has a wheelchair ramp, bench seating, and a flip-up wheelchair-securing feature — you do not need to transfer out of a wheelchair to enjoy the Carousel.
• For the Dolphin Discovery show, ADA seating is in the front row, which is in the splash zone. The zoo provides tarps but cannot guarantee placement before a splash occurs — come prepared for potential dampness if sitting in the front.

The evidence is real and consistent. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have measured exactly what happens to the human body during a zoo visit — and the results are striking, particularly for older adults.

• Lower blood pressure and less stress: Published research studying visitors before and after walking through zoo exhibits found significant reductions in both salivary cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) and blood pressure. Visitors reported feeling happier, more energized, and noticeably less tense after the visit — changes that showed up in the biochemical measurements, not just self-report.
• Benefits specifically for older adults: A peer-reviewed study focused on older adults found that cortisol and blood pressure both fell significantly (measured statistically at p<0.05) after zoo visits. What was especially notable: the social bonding hormone oxytocin increased significantly during zoo visits compared to visits to ordinary parks — an effect not seen in other outdoor settings. Oxytocin is linked to lower anxiety, better immune function, and feeling connected to others.
• Gentle exercise built in: Research published in peer-reviewed medical literature found that a single zoo visit produces approximately 6,000 steps of walking — enough to meaningfully reach or approach daily physical activity goals without feeling like deliberate exercise. The pathways at Brookfield are paved and relatively flat, making this accessible even for visitors with reduced stamina.

Taken together, a zoo membership is more than a leisure purchase — it’s a regular source of outdoor movement, stress reduction, sensory engagement, and social connection. For seniors who live alone or whose daily step counts have dropped in retirement, it is exactly the kind of low-barrier, enjoyable activity that research consistently links to better long-term health outcomes.