Why the Brookfield Zoo Ferris Wheel is the Best Spot to Plan Your Day

What You Need to Know About Brookfield Zoo’s Ferris Wheel

Installed as part of Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s 90th anniversary celebration, this Ferris Wheel opened in spring 2024 and is now a standout feature for the 2025 season. The 110-foot-tall attraction was manufactured in the Netherlands by Lamberink B.V. and installed by the Kissel Entertainment Company of Okeana, Ohio. Situated near the zoo’s North Gate, just east of the newly landscaped Roosevelt Fountain, the wheel features 24 open-air gondolas that seat up to six people each and 350,000 brightly colored LED lights illuminating the night sky during evening hours and special events. While it’s already made a splash, it’s still a relatively new attraction for some guests—especially those returning for the first time in a few years.

A ride on the Ferris Wheel provides a unique vantage point of the park, animal habitats, and the zoo’s surroundings. During the 5–7-minute ride with multiple rotations, zoo-goers experience sweeping views of the wooded areas around the Des Plaines River, the towns of Riverside and Brookfield, and the animal habitats within Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s expansive 235-acre grounds. On clear days, riders get a direct view of Chicago’s skyline.

Bring your binoculars, or use your phone’s zoom for closer views. And don’t forget to take plenty of pictures! This family-friendly attraction offers countless photo ops.

While the Ferris Wheel’s gondolas feature locking doors and roofs, they are not fully enclosed like those at Navy Pier’s iconic Ferris Wheel. Instead, Brookfield Zoo Chicago riders can enjoy the open air throughout their journey, even at the very top, where it may become windy. In fact, the Ferris Wheel does not operate on days with sustained winds of more than 30 mph and is a seasonal attraction, open from spring through Labor Day Weekend. Always check the Brookfield Zoo Chicago website for information on what to know before you go.

Riders must be at least 32 inches tall to ride with a supervising companion or 42 inches tall without supervision. Each Ferris Wheel ticket costs $8 per person, $6 for zoo members, and is free for Unlimited Level and Adventurer members, as well as guests with redeemable attraction vouchers. Tickets and more information are available at brookfieldzoo.org/ferriswheel.

Purchase tickets online at BrookfieldZoo.org or directly at the zoo gate to secure your ride.

See the Whole Zoo—and Plan Your Day Like a Pro

When you ride the Ferris Wheel at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, you don’t just go up—you get a full view of the entire 235-acre park. It’s the best way to get your bearings, decide which habitats you want to prioritize, and figure out how to make the most of your visit.

From above, you can spot winding pathways, lush green spaces, and key habitat areas spread throughout the grounds. The view helps you answer important questions: What can you fit in before lunch? Which direction should you start? How far is The Living Coast from the carousel? The Ferris Wheel gives you the lay of the land so you can map out a smooth, satisfying day.

Here are a few of the major areas you might spot from the top:

• Great Bear Wilderness – Home to brown bears, polar bears, and bison, this sprawling area is easy to spot from above.

• Habitat Africa! The Savannah – Located off the 31st Street Walkway, this habitat features giraffes, antelope, and more.

• Big Cats – The lion habitat, snow leopards, and Amur tigers are all part of this impressive zone.

• Pachyderm House – Look for the distinctive layout of this area, which includes outdoor pools for capybaras and rhinos.

You might even catch a glimpse of special experiences like Wild Encounters, where guests can meet real animal ambassadors up close. And if you’re lucky, you may even spot the new James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests habitats, which will be home to gorillas, monkeys, and other primates this summer.

Tips for Planning Your Zoo Visit from the Ferris Wheel

Scan the park and choose your must-see habitats first—then group nearby ones together to minimize walking back and forth.

Note the direction of crowds. If one area looks busy, start somewhere quieter and circle back later.

Take a photo of the view to reference your game plan once you're back on the ground.

Factor in food stops, animal feeding times, and special shows—you might spot where those happen from above, including the Seven Seas habitat where you can catch dolphins in action.

If visiting with kids, map out key rest areas or interactive zones you can spot during your ride.

Check how far apart your top habitats are so you can budget time accordingly—especially if you’re on a tight schedule.

Whether you’ve got the whole day to explore or just a few hours, the Ferris Wheel gives you a head start—and a memorable one at that.

Tips for Getting the Best View

Plan your visit so you can ride mid-morning or early afternoon for the best lighting and animal activity. Depending on your seat in the gondola, you'll get different perspectives of the zoo. On a clear day, you might catch breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline, various habitats, and the surrounding areas.

What to Know Before Your Visit to the Zoo

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located at 8400 W 31st Street in Brookfield. There is ample paid parking at both North and South Gates. General zoo admission does not include parking or the extra fee for the Ferris Wheel, carousel, and other attractions and habitats. With over 3,500 animal residents and hundreds of acres to explore, getting acquainted with the layout before you head to Brookfield Zoo Chicago is essential. Download a Brookfield Zoo Chicago Map to strategically navigate the habitats and maximize your visit with the Brookfield Zoo Chicago app, which is available for iOS and Android. Check the zoo website for operating dates, especially in winter.

The Ferris Wheel, just east of the Roosevelt Fountain, is an easy walk from the North and South gates. You can also find the Carousel, the Hamill Family Play Zoo, and plenty of dining options just steps from the Ferris Wheel. Pair your ride with a visit to the habitats for a full day of fun.

Admission and Tickets

Brookfield Zoo Chicago offers a variety of captivating habitats and attractions, making it an ideal place to observe nature and wildlife and a wonderful experience for visitors of all ages. Make your entry process easier by purchasing tickets in advance; visit BrookfieldZoo.org to buy tickets online.

General Admission Pricing:

Adults: $29.95

Seniors, 65 and over: $24.95

Children 3 to 11: $20.95

Zoo admission and all available attractions are free for children aged two and under.

Parking is not included in admission. If you previously reserved tickets and parking for your visit, you can enter Brookfield Zoo Chicago any time during that day. If you have a general admission pass with a barcode, a member guest pass, a Chicago Public Library Museum Pass, a Museum Adventure Pass, or participate in Museums for All, you can bring that directly to the zoo entrance; no reservation is required.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago participates in several programs that offer free or discounted admission. For the full list of discounts and access programs, visit brookfieldzoo.org/discountsandaccessprograms.

Brookfield Zoo Parking

Parking is available at the North Gate (8400 31st Street, Brookfield, IL)—the Main Entrance—or South Gate (3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL). Members usually park at the North Gate because it is free with a membership. Although the walk is further from the habitats, it has a more official feel as you walk through the tunnel into the zoo.

The South Gate parking lot is adjacent to Riverside Brookfield High School and smaller than the North Lot but a shorter walk to the zoo entrance.

Parking Fees:

• Parking North Gate: $17

• Parking South Gate: $20

Getting to Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is located at First Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield, IL, just 14 miles west of downtown Chicago. The zoo is easy to reach by car (I-290 West or I-55 South takes about 25 minutes) or train. Metra BNSF Line is a relaxed 25-minute trip from Chicago’s Union Station to the zoo stop (Hollywood Station) or Riverside Station, then take a short walk to the Brookfield Zoo Chicago entrance.

Membership Benefits

There's a lot of ground to cover at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Limit your visit to a ride on the Ferris Wheel and a stroll around the Roosevelt Fountain, make a (long) day of it, or come back again and again and focus on new sights each time. Brookfield Zoo Chicago members receive unlimited free admission, free parking, and many other benefits (depending on membership level), including guest admission tickets, ticketed attractions, education and special event admission discounts, and restaurant discounts.

While planning your Brookfield Zoo Chicago adventure, check out brookfieldzoo.org/membership for the benefits of becoming a zoo member.

Elevate your Brookfield Zoo Chicago Experience

Whether you’re visiting Brookfield Zoo Chicago for the first time, for a special seasonal event, or just returning for more wild adventures, it's the perfect way to spend the day, and a ride on the anniversary Ferris Wheel is a unique way to experience the zoo from a whole new point of view.

It’s a ride—and a view—you can only get here in Cook County, Illinois, offering some of the best bird’s-eye views in the region.

Plan your visit today at BrookfieldZoo.org