Hidden gems - Zoos & Aquariums in Chicago, United States not to miss (Updated February, 2024)

Hidden gems: Zoos & Aquariums in Chicago

Discover the city's hidden treasures—remarkable spots that are relatively undiscovered but offer exceptional experiences. Our selection criteria? A rating of 4.5 or higher with fewer than 150 reviews. Explore these lesser-known yet outstanding places that promise a delightful visit in Chicago. This list contains 24 places from Zoos & Aquariums category.

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Within Chicago

Aquamoon, LLC

Aquarium shop

👍👍 We started using Aquamoon during the shutdown from the pandemic because the person we had for our tank, wouldn't come out.. and our tank has never looked better! Can't say enough about Josh and how friendly, professional and knowledgeable he is!

5.00 (13 reviews)

Chicago Discus

Aquarium shop

👍👍 Insane to go anywhere else. Cannot beat the quality, selection, price, service and support. Don't buy discus from anywhere else until first visiting Chicago Discus. I live in the burbs and it was an hour drive. That said, if it was 3hrs, it would still be worth it!

4.90 (53 reviews)

Cage and Aquarium

DJ service

👍👍 The Cage and Aquarium were a breeze to work with for our wedding! You can tell their passion for providing quality deejay and emcee services. Shelley was quick to respond to any inquiries we had and it was very easy having to deal with a wedding date change due to COVID. The team was more than willi...

4.90 (53 reviews)

Helen Brach Primate House

Zoo

👍👍 I ❤️ 🐒

4.90 (27 reviews)

Tank It Easy

Aquarium shop

👍👍 I'm just getting into the hobby and I started with freshwater. Everything on their website screams salt but I decided to check them out anyway. As I should have anticipated, their freshwater offerings were definitely second fiddle to the beautiful salt tanks they have set up. That being said, every...

4.80 (108 reviews)

Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art

Modern art museum

Museum & cultural center featuring contemporary Ukrainian-American art, concerts & readings.

4.80 (106 reviews)

Aquatic Oasis

Aquarium shop

👍👍 I've had another aquarium for about 15 years now so I've been to many aquarium stores and this is truly one of the best, a real gem. Big props to Brandon for following his dream. It's a great place just to chill and dream, get some technical advice, or purchase some super healthy fish.

4.80 (97 reviews)

Regenstein Center for African Apes

Zoo

👍👍 I❤️🦍

4.80 (73 reviews)

Kovler Lion House and Pepper Family Wildlife Center

Zoo

👍👍 Beautiful facility with lots of room for the animals to roam.

4.80 (59 reviews)

McCormick Bird House

Zoo

👍👍 The bird house is great, and the free flight area is definitely the star attraction.

4.80 (32 reviews)

Kovler Seal Pool

Zoo

👍👍 This place is such a vibe. One of my favorite places in Lincoln Park is the area underground where you can view the sea lions swimming underwater through the glass.

4.80 (29 reviews)

Regenstein Small Mammal and Reptile House

Zoo

👍👍 Bush babies! Free on Mondays!

4.80 (21 reviews)

Regenstein Macaque Forest

Zoo

👍👍 I was surprised by how many macaques there were, and they were very active. They were very fun to watch and very photogenic.

4.80 (13 reviews)

Hardy's Aquatics & Pets

Pet store

👍👍 I've been shopping around for a nice aquatics store to help me stock my new 65g tank . My first trip to the store was nice I met Eric he was very helpful with advising on my questions . So I was still in my checking out new stores faze running around store to store and I thought well ,,, lets go bac...

4.70 (148 reviews)

Ulysses S. Grant Monument

Monument

👍👍 Love US Grant. He's one of the most misunderstood figures in American History. His willingness to press the fight during the civil war allowed for the capture of Richmond and the end of the war. His attempts to reconstruct the south were often thwarted by the very people he trusted the jobs to. Whil...

4.70 (105 reviews)

Peoples Gas Pavilion

Wedding venue

👍👍 This is a wonderful area for people to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Surrounded by the nature of the South Pond, the serene environment makes it one of the best places to stop when going for a walk or a run in Chicago. Additionally, the sculpture is incredible and stands out within the park as a nice...

4.70 (103 reviews)

Teen Learning Lab

Association or organization

👍 Visiting Shedd aquarium using CityPass was the best decision by me, it gave me priority entey plus ticketed entry to 4D movie, Dolphin show at Rice Amphitheater which was really great. Stingray touch is also included with the pass but it was not open(it says May-October but still was close), Abbott...

4.70 (87 reviews)

Regenstein African Journey

Zoo

👍 The African Journey exhibit is one of the more extensive indoor exhibits at the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is generally interesting but makes poor use of space, as demonstrated by the atrium at the start that serves no purpose but to gather prior to going through two large, ornate doors (which are not whe...

4.70 (29 reviews)

Shedd Aquarium Store

Gift shop

👍👍 My first time here and honestly I could have hung out and watched the Belugas (the under the floor viewing area) all day if I was able to. Lunch in the cafe wasn't terrible for the prices. I had a sandwich and my boyfriend had the fried fish (the irony is not lost on either of us).

4.60 (119 reviews)

Lincoln Park Zoo Gateway Pavilion

Zoo

👍👍 The zoo, with its free entry, opens a gateway to a world where wildlife thrives without barriers. It's a haven of biodiversity where families and nature enthusiasts alike can wander freely. The joy of encountering majestic creatures coexists with the delight of knowing that this experience is access...

4.60 (57 reviews)

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Hidden gems: Zoos & Aquariums in Chicago, United States