Have kids who love animals? If you're looking for animals near you in and around Naperville we have the list! From zoo animals to farm animals, and from the furry to the scaly, we have all the animals you'll need to please your little animal lover.
Here's where to find animals in and around Naperville.
Zoo's |
 | John Natoli via Canva |
8400 31st Street (1st Avenue and 31st Street), Brookfield, IL 60513
World-renowned, Brookfield Zoo inspires guests through extraordinary connections with animals, nature and each other. Set within a 216-acre nature park, the zoo have captivated and educated visitors since 1934. It is home to 2,000+ animal residents and is also an accredited arboretum.
Brookfield Zoo is open every day and welcomes more than two million guests yearly. It is managed by the Chicago Zoological Society and is located on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187
Cosley Zoo gives visitors up-close interactions with nature right in the heart of the suburbs. Nestled on five acres, Cosley Zoo is home to farm animals and native wildlife. Visitors will discover exhibits that immerse them in natural habitats for white-tailed deer, red fox, Blanding’s turtles, a coyote, and more. Cosley Zoo is also a center for animal education and conservation, offering programs that teach young and old how to care for the world around them and give back to the communities in which they live, work, and play.
1000 Ray Moses Dr, Aurora, IL 60505
Established in 1915, this free zoo is open daily, year round. Exhibits include bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions, foxes, otters, elk, goats, llamas, turkeys and peacocks.
1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Shedd Aquarium (formally the John G. Shedd Aquarium) is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. Opened on May 30, 1930, the 5 million US gal (19,000,000 l; 4,200,000 imp gal) aquarium was for some time the largest indoor facility in the world. Today it holds about 32,000 animals. Shedd Aquarium was the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection. It is located on Lake Michigan, on the Museum Campus Chicago, along with the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History.
525 S Park Blvd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Willowbrook Wildlife Center at Willowbrook Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn is a native wildlife rehabilitation facility that provides care and medical treatment to injured and orphaned wild animals. It also serves as a resource to teach DuPage County's residents about living in harmony with local wildlife.
Petting Zoo's |
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Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm (Seasonal)
13341 West 151st Street, Homer Glen, IL 60491
If your child loves animals, visit the petting zoo while at Bengtson Farms. With plenty of animals, large and small your kid will have an great time!
Blackberry Farm (Seasonal)
100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, Illinois
Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun. Admission to Blackberry Farm includes unlimited rides on the train, hay wagon, pedal tractors, paddle boats, carousel and ponies.
Johansen Farms Children's Zoo & Pumpkin Farm (Seasonal)
710 W Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440
The Johansen family has offered fun activities for kids at our petting zoo for over 33 years and we do not promote anything that will frighten young children. Come and meet the friendly farm animals you can pet and feed! There are all kinds of fall family activities to enjoy—with rides!
Kline Creek Farm (Seasonal)
1N600 County Farm Rd, West Chicago, IL 60185
Step back in time to experience life on a working farm in the 1890s at Kline Creek Farm at Timber Ridge Forest Preserve in West Chicago. Stroll through restored farmstead structures and meet the historically costumed interpreters operating this living history farm using the tools and techniques of the past. Activities and events at the farm re-create the seasonal rhythms that have governed farm life for centuries. For the safety of the farm animals, pets are not allowed at the site.
Lords Park Zoo
325 Hiawatha Dr, Elgin, IL 60120
Located in beautiful Lords Park on Elgin’s east side, the outdoor fenced areas are home to bison, elk and white tail deer. These animals can be seen all year long. The free Lords Park Farm Zoo will be open the following dates and hours: Dates: Sat., June 4 through Thu., August 11, seven days a week.
Farm Zoo Hours:
Monday - Friday11 am - 3 pm
Saturday - Sunday Noon - 4 pm
Animals may include pigs, calves, sheep, donkeys, ponies and turkeys.
Sonny Acres Farm (Seasonal)
29W310 North Ave., West Chicago, IL 60185
The tradition lives on!
For more than 125 years, generations of the Nagel family made Sonny Acres Farm one of Chicagoland’s favorite destinations for family fun.
Today, the family tradition continues as the Joyaux and Fontana families have stepped in to make sure the farm, festivities, and most importantly your family traditions can live on for generations to come.
Stables |
 | Stratol via Canva |
26143 W Renwick Rd #9058, Plainfield, IL 60544
We have a strong horseback riding lesson program that has given riders a place to grow not only their skills but their passion and love for horses. We do not board outside horses, so therefore, our attention is 100 percent on our students and lesson program.
We have phenomenal lesson horses, dedicated instructors, and even better clients! You’ve found yourself here, so we will include you in on that list too!
3S507 Naperville Rd, Wheaton, IL 60189
The Danada Equestrian Center at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton offers lessons, camps, group tours and other educational and recreational experiences year-round. The center's office is open Monday –Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and select holidays. The barn is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. It is closed on select holidays.
The surrounding Danada Forest Preserve is open daily from one hour after sunrise until one hour after sunset.
Normantown Trails Equestrian Center
12151 Normantown Rd, Plainfield, IL 60585
The Plainfield Park District offers a variety of equestrian lessons and activities at the Normantown Trails Equestrian Center, a 6-acre facility on Normantown Road, just south of 119th Street. The center features a large 78×180-foot indoor riding arena with a heated observation area, a small indoor riding arena, two large outdoor riding arenas, and five paddocks. The stable has 48 11×12-foot stalls and includes a renovated indoor wash rack, as well as a club room/classroom.
Soaring Eagle Stables & Equestrian Center
25435 W U.S. Hwy 30, Plainfield, IL 60585
Soaring Eagle Stables & Equestrian Center is family-owned and operated right here in Plainfield, IL. Since our barn opened its doors in 2005, we’ve treated every horse and owner like they were a part of our family. Other boarding barns may offer similar services and amenities, but ours are the best, and come at a more affordable price. We offer riding lessons with several different disciplines. Our instructors are friendly, patient and experienced as are our school horses. There is one to match you perfectly.
23W731 Hobson Rd, Naperville, IL 60540
Trillion Equestrian offers many options : English, Hunter and Jumper. We provide a variety of instructors with proven show, riding and training experience. Each of our instructors strive to teach the basic methodologies and proper fundamentals of riding. No two students are alike or learn at the same pace. We treat our students as individuals not as a cluster. We set ourselves apart from other facilities by taking our time to teach the proper skills. Rushing riders to advance before we feel they are ready can lead to serious accidents. We know all students may want to canter or jump but if they have not mastered the basic skills to keep them safe, we will not risk your child to satisfy moving forward too soon.
"This is the only sport where the equipment has its own brain"
440 Royce Rd., Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Windridge Farm fulfills the needs of our boarders by offering exceptional, individualized, equine care. At Windridge Farm we fulfill the training needs of our riders by providing a goal oriented lesson program taught by experienced professionals. We welcome, and are qualified to train, riders at all levels from beginner through Grand Prix. At Windridge Farm we are absolutely committed to the success of our clients, be it in the show ring or just meeting your week to week goals. Your success is our success. When it comes time to purchase a horse the expert Sales team at Windridge Farm will match you with the horse that is right for your ability ,as well as, your budget.
