Major city · United States
BrookfieldBrookfield, Illinois
Half-day for the zoo and arcade, or a full day if you add both: skip unless you are already in the Western Suburbs.
Brookfield is a quiet Chicago suburb best known for Brookfield Zoo (the Chicago Zoological Park) and the world's largest arcade, Galloping Ghost. Most visitors come for the zoo alone, which takes 3–5 hours; the arcade adds another 2–3. The village itself has no other major sights, so it works as a side trip from downtown Chicago or a stop on a Western Suburbs drive.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some outdoor zoo exhibits limited)
- Airports
- ORD · MDW
- Nights
- 0 (day trip from Chicago)
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Brookfield911 ▾
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Brookfield Police (non-emergency)708-485-3232
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Brookfield, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetycheckVery safe suburb; typical risks are car break-ins at the zoo parking lot (check) and crossing Ogden Avenue on foot.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 708-485-3232 Brookfield Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportORD O'Hare International Airport (About 30 min by car; CTA Blue Line to downtown then Metra BNSF to Brookfield, about 1.5 h).
- Getting aroundCar is easiest; parking at the zoo costs $14 (2026 estimate).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café$2.50–4.00
- Street or quick mealPizza slice$3.50–5.00
- Museum or sight ticketBrookfield Zoo adult entrycheck$21.95
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$60 · High US$100
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ORD O'Hare International Airport (About 30 min by car; CTA Blue Line to downtown then Metra BNSF to Brookfield, about 1.5 h) · MDW Chicago Midway International Airport (About 20 min by car; CTA Orange Line to downtown then Metra, about 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Feb (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Brookfield: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
10 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
8 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is easiest; parking at the zoo costs $14 (2026 estimate). Metra BNSF Railway from Chicago Union Station to Brookfield station, about 25 min, runs weekdays and weekends. A taxi or ride-share from the station to the zoo is about 5 min.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Metra BNSF to Oak Park station, about 10 min
Frank Lloyd Wright homes and Hemingway birthplace.
Chicago
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Metra BNSF to Union Station, about 25 min
Full day for museums, architecture, food.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near the zoo (31st Street)
Walking distance to Brookfield Zoo; limited dining options.
Brookfield village centre (Broadview area)
Closer to Galloping Ghost and Metra station; more food choices.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–50 excl. bed
- Mid
- $50–100 excl. bed
- High
- $100+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Day trip (no overnight)2 × 1 night × US$0 | US$0 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$60 | US$120 |
| Metra round-trip from Chicago2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| Zoo entry (adult)2 × US$22 · check | US$44 |
| Galloping Ghost entry2 × US$20 · cash only | US$40 |
| Zoo parking1 × US$14 · check | US$14 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$23 |
| Trip total≈ US$129 per person per day, bed included | US$257 |
Most visitors do not stay overnight.
2026 estimate in USD; day trip from Chicago, no accommodation.
Prices of common things
| Brookfield Zoo adult entrycheck | $21.95 |
| Galloping Ghost Arcade entrycash only | $20 |
| Metra one-way from Chicagocheck | $4.00 |
| Zoo parkingcheck | $14 |
| Coffee at a local café | $2.50–4.00 |
| Pizza slice | $3.50–5.00 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Zoo parking fills by late morning on weekends and holidays.
- Galloping Ghost Arcade is cash-only for entry; ATM on site (check).
- Metra trains run less frequently on weekends: check the schedule before planning a return.
Emergency numbers
- Police, Fire, Ambulance
- 911
- Brookfield Police (non-emergency)
- 708-485-3232
Pocket card
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BrookfieldBrookfield, Illinois
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, Fire, Ambulance911
- Brookfield Police (non-emergency)708-485-3232
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Metra Chicago → Brookfield: about $4.00, 25 min (check)
- Taxi Brookfield station → zoo: $10–15, 5 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is this? — How much is this? (how much is this)
- Where is the zoo? — Where is the zoo? (where is the zoo)
- Do you take cards? — Do you take cards? (do you take cards)
English is universal; no local language needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Brookfield. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some outdoor zoo exhibits limited) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Zoo and arcade pages with timed-entry and cash-only details.
- Metra schedule page for Brookfield station.
- Parking lot status widget for zoo weekends.
Sources
Ask about Brookfield
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