A Quick Refresher: The Magic of Tropic World
If you grew up anywhere near Brookfield Zoo Chicago, there’s a good chance you remember your first time walking into Tropic World. Maybe it was on a field trip, clutching your brown-bag lunch and peering up at spider monkeys overhead—or maybe it was a family weekend outing where the humidity hit you before you even saw the waterfalls. Either way, it stuck.
When it opened in 1984, Tropic World was a game-changer. One of the first indoor primate habitats of its kind, it transported you into rainforest ecosystems modeled after Africa, South America, and Asia. It was immersive and ambitious, full of species many of us had only seen in books or on TV. Gibbons swung from the branches, western lowland gorillas lounged in their enclosures, and the entire experience buzzed with the energy of a living, breathing forest.
Bramsen Tropical Forests marks the next chapter in that legacy. It doesn't replace Tropic World—it complements it. This new outdoor habitat was designed with features like bamboo poles and vines to encourage natural behaviors, while honoring what made the original so unforgettable. With new habitats designed around these species-specific enrichment and conservation, it completes the first phase of the Zoo’s Next Century Plan with a future-facing model for accredited zoos and aquariums everywhere.
What You’ll See at Bramsen Tropical Forests
This is where things get exciting.
When we walked through the Bramsen Tropical Forests for the first time, it was clear—this is a total shift in how the zoo thinks about space, conservation, and connection.
Spread across four outdoor habitats, each microclimate is inspired by a different region of the tropics: Africa, Asia, and South America. And you can feel the difference. One moment you’re looking up as a spider monkey swings over your head, the next you’re in a lush, shaded grove watching a western lowland gorilla lounge like it owns the place.
Everything is designed to feel immersive. The trees, the layout, the layers of the ecosystem. The animals move, explore, and engage in ways that look natural because they are. And we get to watch it all from panoramic viewing areas that feel more like lookouts—some tucked into the landscape, others elevated for a canopy-level view. It’s immersive without being intrusive, and that balance really works.
Here’s who you’ll spot in Bramsen’s new habitats:
Western lowland gorillas, slow, powerful, and somehow always the center of gravity
Spider monkeys, who zip around like it’s their full-time job (which, in a way, it is)
Orangutans, navigating the overhead structures with such thoughtfulness it almost feels choreographed
We loved that the design doesn’t just prioritize the visitor experience—it’s clearly built around the animals’ needs first. Enrichment, stimulation, thoughtful transitions between spaces—it’s all there. It’s animal care meets smart storytelling.
And while the original Tropic World is still there (and still iconic) as an indoor trail, it now works in tandem with Bramsen Tropical Forests. Together, they raise the bar not just for Brookfield Zoo Chicago, but for what’s possible at accredited zoos and aquariums across the country.
More Than an Exhibit: Conservation in Action
This new habitat isn’t just about great design. It’s about education, impact, and the ecosystems we’re all part of.
Bramsen Tropical Forests is a living, breathing example of how modern zoos can serve as centers for conservation, learning, and community involvement. The experience weaves in pollinator gardens, tactile elements for hands-on learning, and conservation stories that stick with you long after you leave.
One standout: the Snares to Wares sculptures—striking animal forms crafted from materials once used for poaching in Uganda, now transformed by former poachers-turned-artisans. They’re not only beautiful, they’re proof that conservation is human and that real change happens when communities are empowered.
And if you're wondering what you can do to help? Start by dropping your old cell phones in the Eco-Cell station. It helps reduce the demand for minerals like coltan—often mined from endangered western lowland gorilla habitats—and turns a simple recycling moment into part of a much larger conservation effort.
This is where the zoo shifts from being just a place to see animals to being a place that invites you to protect them.
Don’t Miss: The Gorilla Conservation Center
Tucked inside Bramsen Tropical Forests is the Gorilla Conservation Center—a quiet but powerful hub that brings you closer to the behind-the-scenes work happening every day to care for these animals and protect their wild counterparts. It’s where science, storytelling, and animal care come together.
And upstairs is where the future lives.
The King Conservation Leadership Academy trains the next generation of environmental stewards—young people who may one day lead local fundraising efforts, work in accredited zoos and aquariums, or help restore natural lands through partnerships with organizations like the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
It’s not just about today’s visitors—it’s about tomorrow’s conservation leaders and ambassadors for wildlife. The ones who grow up curious, connected, and ready to do something about it.
Know Before You Go
Here’s your cheat sheet:
Location: You’ll find Bramsen Tropical Forests right next to Tropic World, just north of the South Gate—now with expansive outdoor habitats and immersive design.
Dress for the tropics: Even outside, the space mimics warm climates. Breathable clothes and hydration are your friends, especially while exploring the primate habitats.
Kid-friendly? Absolutely. It’s a very family-friendly part of the zoo with stroller-friendly paths, hands-on enrichment activities, and plenty of room to move.
Accessibility: Designed with wide paths and viewing areas that are easy to access for all visitors.
Photo tips: Lighting varies—morning light is ideal, and you’ll want your zoom lens ready to catch the spider monkeys swinging through the upper canopy.
Bonus stop: While you're nearby, don't miss The Grove for the Zoo’s brand new dining area nestled at the west end of the new habitat and offering specialty treats like Dole Whips, frozen chocolate-dipped bananas and more! Plus, the carousel and surrounding play zones are a great breather between explorations.
About Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Brookfield Zoo Chicago It is an accredited zoo, aquarium, and arboretum located just 14 miles west of downtown at 8400 W 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois. With over 3,500 animals across hundreds of acres, it’s one of the Midwest’s most beloved family-friendly destinations for wildlife, learning, and conservation.
Visitors can explore iconic habitats, ride the carousel or Ferris wheel, grab a bite to eat, and immerse themselves in naturalistic ecosystems that showcase everything from Asian small-clawed otters to western lowland gorillas.
Plan ahead:
Parking is available at both the North Gate and South Gate (fees apply).
Download the Brookfield Zoo Chicago app or a printable map to navigate efficiently.
Tickets can be purchased at brookfieldzoo.org, and many discounts and access programs are available.
Admission prices:
Adults: $29.95
Seniors (65+): $24.95
Children (3–11): $20.95
Children under 2: Free
Parking:
North Gate: $17
South Gate: $20
Getting there:
Easily accessible by car or Metra’s BNSF Line, with a short walk from Hollywood or Riverside stations.
Why become a member?
Membership includes free admission and parking, plus exclusive access to events and updates, discounts on attractions, dining, and events—ideal if you plan to visit more than once.
For more details, visit brookfieldzoo.org.
Get Ready to Get Tropical!
Bramsen Tropical Forests is a new era for Brookfield Zoo Chicago—one that puts animal wellbeing, conservation, and storytelling front and center.
If it’s been a while since your last zoo trip, this is the moment to come back. And if you’re local? You’ve got a world-class tropical experience waiting just a few miles away.
Bring your curiosity. Bring the kids. Bring your camera.
Just don’t be surprised if you leave already planning your next visit.
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