Like families all over the country, we have had some fun stays at our local Great Wolf Lodge. When I was doing some research before our first visit several years ago, I found some posts about how much families enjoyed their visits but not a ton of practical tips. So I am offering my modest…

Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s BOO! at the Zoo has returned for fall 2026! It began Saturday, October 3 and continues through Sunday, October 25, 2026. We have visited once again in 2026 and are ready to share our tips. This post is informed by our visits now and in years past plus the information available from…

The Children’s Garden at Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois is an incredibly popular spot for families. After our latest visit, we are sharing our best tips for visiting with your family. Keep reading for a list of Children’s Garden highlights, ideas to make your visit easy and fun, plus tips for saving money at Morton…

We have been members of Brookfield Zoo Chicago for almost eleven years. As you can probably tell, we love the zoo, and some of our favorite zoo memories are from the summers when Brookfield Zoo Chicago brought in dinosaurs! Fortunately for us, and I think you too, the dinosaurs are back for summer 2026. Brookfield…

From peeking at pangolins to talking with tapirs, our family loves visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The almost 3500 animal residents are the highlights of our visits, but we also enjoy the three rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. All three rides connect us to both the animals and the history of the zoo. We want to…

Chicago-area families have a world-class zoo in Brookfield, Illinois. Located just west of the city of Chicago, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has over 3000 animals from all over the world. The animals’ indoor and outdoor habitats are nestled among lush landscaping and wide walkways. With plenty of interactive and interesting exhibits, an all-day visit for all…