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 share our insights from our many rides on the carousel, motor safari and ferris wheel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Come along for the ride!
The Ferris Wheel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
UPDATE: As of September 8, 2025, the ferris wheel at Brookfield Zoo has closed. Brookfield Zoo Chicago has left the ferris wheel page on their website, so we are leaving this information in the post in the hopes that we will see the ferris wheel again (after all, it has left and returned before).
Let us start with the ride that is making a home at Brookfield Zoo Chicago for a limited time, and that is the 110-foot ferris wheel! The ferris wheel first arrived last year, when the zoo was celebrating its 90th anniversary. It proved to be very popular, so this majestic attraction is making an encore performance in the spring and summer of 2025.
When we first heard that Brookfield Zoo was bringing in a temporary ferris wheel, we were pretty skeptical. We assumed a ride on a traveling attraction would not be that great and would also possibly trigger some latent fear of heights. We were so wrong!
The Ferris Wheel Gondolas
There are twenty-four gondolas on the ferris wheel, and each is large and substantial. The gondolas are advertised as fitting up to six people, and we have comfortably filled them with that many riders. The gondola has two bench seats around a central post which reaches up into a short-of umbrella shaped roof. The sides above the benches are enclosed with thick windows that end in a metal frame. There is nothing rickety feeling about these cabins.
The View
Of course, the best part about riding the ferris wheel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago is the view! Each time we ride the ferris wheel, we notice something new. We like peeking into the animal habitats from above. And, it has been fascinating to watch the expansion of Tropic World into Bramsen Tropical Forests (set to open this summer 2025). Beyond the zoo, the ferris wheel offers a beautiful view of the Chicago city skyline. Like a metropolitan mountain range, the Chicago skyline seems to change with the hours and seasons, and the view feels fresh every time.
In addition to the views it offers riders, the appearance of the ferris wheel itself is actually quite pretty. It is equipped with changing LED lighting, and the structure is a clean white wheel radiating out from the zoo’s new logo. The ferris wheel adds some delightful visual interest to the zoo’s own skyline.
Ferris Wheel Logistics: How to Ride
The ferris wheel is located on the east side of the zoo’s Roosevelt Fountain. At 110 feet tall, it is pretty hard to miss. You will find the entrance at the base of the ferris wheel facing the fountain (that’s the west side of the ferris wheel). There is a ticket booth adjacent to the ferris wheel.
Tickets are $8 for the general public. Brookfield Zoo Chicago members with Unlimited or Adventurer level memberships ride the ferris wheel for free. Members at other levels may redeem the attraction vouchers that come with their membership or pay the discounted rate of $6 per ticket.
All guests must be at least 32” tall to ride and at least 42” tall to ride without a supervising companion. At the time of this writing, the zoo does not yet have a wheelchair accessible gondola on the ferris wheel, but they are stating that they will get one before the summer.
The Brookfield Zoo website also says “Individuals must have full upper body control unless accompanied by a supervising companion. Do not ride if you:
• Have heart concerns, or neck and/or back ailments.
• Recently underwent surgery.
• Have motion sickness.
• May be pregnant.
• Are afraid of heights.
The weight limit is 992 pounds per gondola depending on loading procedures.”
When to Ride the Ferris Wheel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Our quick advice on when to ride the ferris wheel is basically: whenever you want. We have now ridden the ferris wheel in every season and enjoyed it in all kinds of weather. Official policy is that the ferris wheel does not operate on days with sustained winds of over 30 miles per hour.
As for the wait to experience the ferris wheel, that will depend mostly on when you choose to visit and ride. Last week, we rode the ferris wheel mid-afternoon on a school day and were the only people on the entire attraction. The very next day was the zoo’s inaugural Spring Fest, and the line was long enough that we steered clear of it. In our case, we knew that we would have plenty of other chances to ride. You should expect shorter waits on days with cooler weather or on days when school is generally in session.
Keep in mind that, this time around, the ferris wheel is only scheduled to stay through this summer. Maybe we will see you up there!
The Motor Safari Through Brookfield Zoo Chicago
The Motor Safari is a narrated tram tour around the pathways of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. A zoo employee drives a van trailing open-air cars with bench seats, and a tour guide in the back car narrates over the sound system. Because the narration is live rather than an audio recording, your tour will be unique to your ride. The motor safari very slowly circles the zoo, and you will be able to see many of the outdoor exhibits from the tram. The motor safari uses the same pathways as pedestrian visitors.
Why Ride the Motor Safari at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
At 235 acres, Brookfield Zoo Chicago is large! If you want to cover a lot of ground without a lot of walking, the motor safari may be a good choice for you. Keep in mind, there are also many indoor habitats at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The motor safari might give you a good idea of what buildings you will want to explore later, but you will need to walk back to those places to access them.
But, the best aspect of the motor safari is that you get insight into both the history and the animals of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Your tour is narrated by a knowledgeable guide. Instead of just saying, “Look, a rhino,” your guide will share facts about the black rhinoceros—like how they communicate—and even information about the historic pachyderm building itself. If you are wondering why the history of a zoo is worth talking about, keep in mind that this zoo is ninety years old. Much of the original work on the zoo was done with artisans from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and there are some really lovely details to be found tucked about the zoo.
How to Ride the Motor Safari
The motor safari is a seasonal ride at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. At the time of writing, the zoo website says the motor safari is not open yet for 2025, but we have recently seen the trams parked around the zoo. You can check the website here to see whether the motor safari will be running during your visit. The current construction at the zoo my impact the motor safari.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago members with Adventurer or Unlimited tier memberships ride the motor safari for free. Members at other levels pay half of the regular rate for tickets, those regular rates are: $6 for adults, $4 for senior adults over 65 years old and $3 for children ages 0 to 11.
Despite our frequent visits, we still learned some new facts on our most recent trip on the motor safari. We hope you get a chance to discover something too!
The Carousel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
The carousel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago is stunning. Even if you do not plan to ride it, we suggest you spin through for a look at this wooden beauty. Riders get to choose a steed from among seventy-two hand-carved creatures and three “chariot” seats (which are also works of art). If you need help identifying your animal, you can look overhead for your hand-painted animal name.
You will want to look up down and all around, because there are lovely artistic touches everywhere. Brookfield Zoo Chicago boasts that this attraction is among the largest hand-carved wooden carousels in the country.
Take a Spin: How to Ride the Carousel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
The carousel is located directly north of the Roosevelt Fountain at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, about halfway between the fountain and the North Gate. The carousel is in a round pavilion with a tiered roof: you should be able to spot it from some distance away. The sides of the pavilion are enclosed during the winter months. The entrance for the carousel is on the east side of the pavilion.
Most of the animals on the merry-go-round at Brookfield Zoo Chicago move up and down, several do not. You can tell which animals do not move up and down by looking for the ones with their feet on the ground (check for the giraffe and okapi). We mentioned three chariot seats: these are elaborate benches that can set a couple of people, and they also do not move up and down.
There is no minimum height requirement for this ride, but riders under 42” who wish to ride one of the animals will need to have a companion standing beside them. There are animals of all different sizes on the carousel: we are talking everything from ladybugs to lions. Some little riders may find the smaller animals more manageable. Each animal only seats one person, but the chariot benches do seat a couple of people side-by-side. All seated riders require a ticket.
Tickets for Carousel Rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo Chicago members with Adventurer or Unlimited tier memberships ride the carousel for free. Members at other levels pay half of the regular rate for tickets. Those regular ticket prices are $6 for adults, $4 for senior adults over 65 years old and $3 for children ages 0 to 11.
The carousel is supposed to operate daily, weather permitting, but we do find that it is sometimes closed on very low-attendance days. Again, even if it is closed, we urge you to still take a peek at this work of art.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago Basics
These three rides can be part of your own wonderful visit to Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Before we close out this article, we wanted to share some basic information for your visit.
As we mentioned, these three rides are just a small part of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The best reason to visit is to encounter the almost 3500 animals who live at the zoo. The zoo also has animal chats, two playgrounds, a fantastic play zoo, many eateries, lush landscaping, a variety of events throughout the year, and so much more.
Tickets and Hours for Brookfield Zoo Chicago
For the latest information on tickets and hours for Brookfield Zoo Chicago, your best bet is to check the website here.
In general hours are 10am to 5pm, extending to 6pm during more popular dates. There are some evening events throughout the year including the incredibly popular Holiday Magic nights.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers many free days throughout the year, but these are usually confined to the colder months. For other opportunities for discounted or free admission, check-out this page.
If you live in the Chicago area, you may want to consider membership. There are several membership levels, and the premier Adventurer level memberships offer unlimited free rides on the three attractions featured in this article. We have had a membership for Brookfield Zoo Chicago for many years.
Where is Brookfield Zoo Chicago?
Brookfield Zoo Chicago is a located west of the city of Chicago, Illinois. The 235 acre zoo is just west of First Avenue and south of 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois. The zoo has both a north and south entrance with a parking lot at each. It is accessible by public transportation.
Parking Lots at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo Chicago charges a fee to park in the parking lots. The north gate parking lot is located at 8400 31st St in Brookfield. The south gate parking is at 3300 Golf Rd also in Brookfield. The south parking lot is smaller and closer to the gate. The north parking lot is larger, and there is bit of a walk to the entrance. Still, the walk from the north lot can be exciting for kids, because it takes you through a tunnel. The south parking lot costs more than the north parking lot. You can find current parking rates on the zoo website here.
Alternative Transportation to Brookfield Zoo Chicago
If you prefer to walk to the zoo, the south gate is more easily accessible to pedestrians. It is also the entrance with the closest bus stop for the route that serves the zoo: Pace Bus Route 331.
The south gate is also the entrance you are going to use if you choose to arrive by train. The closest train stop to Brookfield Zoo Chicago is the Zoo Stop (also known as the Hollywood Stop) on the Metra BNSF line.
Thank you for reading this post on rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
We hope that you have found this article helpful and that you will enjoy some rides at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. If you are visiting the zoo with kids, be sure to read Wildly Fun Tips for the Play Zoo at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. For lots of tips on what to do in the Chicago area, see that section of our website here: Chicago. You will find articles like Top 5 Tips for Visiting Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and 5 Fun Things for Kids To Do Near the Chicago Loop. Finally, please consider subscribing to our free newsletter below, and get our latest posts right in your inbox. Thanks again for reading.
