Brookfield Zoo Best Route for Brookfield?

[birdsandbats]

I've been to Brookfield before several times in the past, but I've never been able to see the entire zoo within the course of the regular opening time. Before, I've exclusively visited the zoo during their "Summer Nights" - days where the zoo was open late thanks to concerts. It has always taken me the full length of a Summer Nights day to see the entire zoo.

But now, the zoo no longer holds Summer Nights, and I spend more time at zoos now then I did a few years ago, since I have since gotten into photography and now like to get a full species list for any zoo I visit whenever possible. This means I'm concerned I may not be bale to visit the whole zoo within the normal opening time, which would be a shame since it's been at least 6 years since my last visit.

My previous route was Australia, Hoofed Mammals, Pachyderms, Habitat Africa the Savanna, Habitat Africa the Forest, Great Bear Wilderness, Wolf Woods, Feathers and Scales, The Living Coast, Reptiles and Birds, Tropic World, The Swamp, Play Zoo, Seven Seas, Pinniped Point, Big Cats, Fragile Forest, Fragile Desert. Is there some way I do the zoo more efficiently? Especially keeping in mind that the building close early?

 

[pachyderm pro]

Judging by your previous route I'm assuming you're entering through the North gate, which is what I normally do as well. I know you've been before, but for the sake accuracy (and for anyone who may be looking at this thread for future advice) I'm going to try and be very specific. Your current route works well, but I'm going to suggest that actually head in the opposite direction.

When you first enter, head east and do the fragile kingdom and aquatic exhibits: Deserts Edge, Carnivore Grottoes, Clouded Leopard Rainforest, Pinniped Point and the Dolphinarium, all right next to one another. After exiting the dolphinarium (assuming you don't plan on seeing the dolphin show) you could choose to do the Hamil Family exhibits, if you so desire, by taking the path by the front end of the abandoned bear grottoes. Since these are premium exhibits geared towards children and hold relatively common species, you could also skip these entirely by taking the path through the east mall.

There are a few different options to do once reaching the south gate, but to best avoid backtracking, I'd suggest doing the swamp building first and then go through Tropic World. That will pop you back out by the bison paddock at the end of the west mall. From there you can head south towards the formal pool and do the two reptile and bird houses and Living Coast. This will make a small loop where you will end up at the same path by the bison. You could also go slightly out of the way to see the nature plaza, but since there aren't any animal exhibits here (minus being a reliable place to find the free-ranging peafowl and guineafowl) you wouldn't being missing much if you decided to skip it.

From there, head back up the main path where the bison viewing and Tropic World exit are and head to Habitat Africa. After seeing the main savanna exhibits (giraffe, nyala, gerenuk, painted dog) you'll find the entrance to Great Bear Wilderness. The exhibit is set up to make a perfect loop and you can exit right where you enter. From there you can continue with Habitat Africa by going through the kopje house and then the forest area (pangolin is most likely to be active around 3:00 PM). Continue by heading up north where there is more giraffe viewing and the hoofstock paddocks. This will bring you to the Australia House where you can do the interior habitats. You can begin to wrap things up from there with one last zig-zag stretch through the exterior Australian yards, dik-dik paddock, and pachyderm house and you can return to the North Entrance from there.

That's my ideal route for seeing the whole zoo with as little backtracking as possible. The only time you would have to go off route would be to see the nature plaza or the furthest west hoofstock yards (where the zebras are) which are a bit secluded. Here is a quick visual I put together for further clarification.

 

[birdsandbats]

Judging by your previous route I'm assuming you're entering through the North gate, which is what I normally do as well. I know you've been before, but for the sake accuracy (and for anyone who may be looking at this thread for future advice) I'm going to try and be very specific. Your current route works well, but I'm going to suggest that actually head in the opposite direction.

When you first enter, head east and do the fragile kingdom and aquatic exhibits: Deserts Edge, Carnivore Grottoes, Clouded Leopard Rainforest, Pinniped Point and the Dolphinarium, all right next to one another. After exiting the dolphinarium (assuming you don't plan on seeing the dolphin show) you could choose to do the Hamil Family exhibits, if you so desire, by taking the path by the front end of the abandoned bear grottoes. Since these are premium exhibits geared towards children and hold relatively common species, you could also skip these entirely by taking the path through the east mall.

There are a few different options to do once reaching the south gate, but to best avoid backtracking, I'd suggest doing the swamp building first and then go through Tropic World. That will pop you back out by the bison paddock at the end of the west mall. From there you can head south towards the formal pool and do the two reptile and bird houses and Living Coast. This will make a small loop where you will end up at the same path by the bison. You could also go slightly out of the way to see the nature plaza, but since there aren't any animal exhibits here (minus being a reliable place to find the free-ranging peafowl and guineafowl) you wouldn't being missing much if you decided to skip it.

From there, head back up the main path where the bison viewing and Tropic World exit are and head to Habitat Africa. After seeing the main savanna exhibits (giraffe, nyala, gerenuk, painted dog) you'll find the entrance to Great Bear Wilderness. The exhibit is set up to make a perfect loop and you can exit right where you enter. From there you can continue with Habitat Africa by going through the kopje house and then the forest area (pangolin is most likely to be active around 3:00 PM). Continue by heading up north where there is more giraffe viewing and the hoofstock paddocks. This will bring you to the Australia House where you can do the interior habitats. You can begin to wrap things up from there with one last zig-zag stretch through the exterior Australian yards, dik-dik paddock, and pachyderm house and you can return to the North Entrance from there.

That's my ideal route for seeing the whole zoo with as little backtracking as possible. The only time you would have to go off route would be to see the nature plaza or the furthest west hoofstock yards (where the zebras are) which are a bit secluded. Here is a quick visual I put together for further clarification.

View attachment 565239

Thanks!

I already planned on skipping Wild Encounters. The Play Zoo does have a few interesting species though so I'm a bit hesitant to skip it.

 

[pachyderm pro]

The Play Zoo does have a few interesting species though so I'm a bit hesitant to skip it.

I stopped by there for the first time in years during my last visit and there really isn't anything special left at this point. The tamanduas are no longer exhibited there so the only other notable thing is the genet, which can already be seen in another part of the zoo.

 

[birdsandbats]

I stopped by there for the first time in years during my last visit and there really isn't anything special left at this point. The tamanduas are no longer exhibited there so the only other notable thing is the genet, which can already be seen in another part of the zoo.

Are the diving beetles and Screaming Hairy Armadillos still there?