The state of Illinois is famous for its cultural attractions and modern medical facilities. Visitors looking for better services for animals or people can find a zoological garden or hospital in Illinois for their needs and interests. Founded in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and also one of the most modern. Every year, the Lincoln Park Zoo receives over 3,000,000 visitors. The zoo is open 365 days a year, and it offers many educational programs, as well as old-fashioned enjoyment and entertainment for the whole family. Visitors can get up very close to the animals and look at the eyeball with a lowland gorilla or an intense brown bear. Zoo Lincoln Park is known not only for its wide collection of fauna from around the world, but also for its architecture and technical means. Visitors of all ages admire the four-dimensional virtual Safari simulator, the LPZoo Express train ride and the safari-audio tour. Although the entrance to the Lincoln Park Zoo is free, there is a small fee to visit these special attractions. The zoo also has two excellent souvenir shops and several restaurants, and is conveniently located near the top 10 hospitals in Illinois.
To the west of Chicago, in Brookfield, Illinois, is the Brookfield Zoo. This zoo, founded in 1934, is also open 365 days a year. Its 2,000 animals have more than 200 acres of land, which is landscaped to recreate the natural habitats of animals. Instead of cages, this zoo uses moats and other natural barriers to keep animals away from visitors and each other. The complex collection of the Brookfield fauna includes the first giant panda shown in America, as well as specialized exhibits such as Baboon Island, the Australian House, the dolphin show, Wolf Woods, the Pachyderm House and the Reptile House. It also includes the world famous Tropic World, which recreates a tropical rainforest complete with fun birds, monkeys, even a thunderstorm simulation. There is also a game zoo and a zoo for children, where visitors can get up close and interact directly with animals. Tramway Motor Safari allows visitors to tour the whole area. For lunch there are several shops and restaurants.
The Mowers Zoo in Wheaton, Illinois is located on 5 acres of land and specializes in domestic farm animals as well as wildlife native to Illinois. On pleasant sites there is a playground where guests can have a picnic, as well as a gift shop and eat at a bar. Prairie State Wildlife Park also has the local wildlife of Illinois. Located ten meters west of Peoria on Interstate 74, this two thousand acre zoological garden shows bison, black bears, pugs, moose, otters, waterfowl, wolves and many other species.
Also in Peoria, located near many hospitals in IL, is the Glenn Oak Zoo. This zoological garden has a hundred species of animals from around the world. In addition to its collection of fauna, the zoo offers daily performances with sea lions and chats. The hotel has a good gift shop and restaurant.
Snake Safari in Gurney Illinois is a closed zoo that features rare reptiles that include a baby — the largest (403 pounds) snake in the world. There are rare albino alligators, Nile crocodiles, anaconda weighing more than 250 pounds, cobras and many other species. The gift shop even sells pets so you can bring reptiles home!
