Admission-Free, The Phillips Park Zoo In Illinois Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination

With all the attractions that charge high admission fees, the money we spend can certainly add up fast. Sometimes it's hard to find a place that charges low or even no fees to get in, but we found a zoo that's not only great for the whole family but has zero admission fees. If you haven't been to the Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora yet, you need to make plans to visit. This zoo is a guaranteed fun-filled day for adults and children alike and, best of all, it charges nothing for admission!

Phillips Park Zoo is located within the 325-acre Phillips Park where you can also find the Visitors Center and Mastadon Gallery, the gorgeous Sunken Gardens, an 18-hole golf course with a driving range, a fishing lake, war memorials, and a trail. It's a fantastic place to spend the day!

Phillips Park Zoo is owned and operated by the city of Aurora with a mission to educate visitors about wildlife and the environment.

At Phillips Park Zoo, visitors will find mostly North American wildlife including gray wolves, mountain lions, North American river otters, elk, and pygmy goats in the outdoor areas.

There are also plenty of reptiles and amphibians to see and learn about as well in the Reptile House. Come and have a look at the Burmese python, California desert tortoise, green iguana, inland bearded dragon, and red tail boa constrictor among other fascinating cold-blooded critters.

Kids will also be delighted by the farmyard animals as they get an up-close look at some of their favorites!

While you're at the park, you may as well make a stop at the David & Karen Stover Visitors Center at Phillips Park & Mastodon Gallery. Here you can find a variety of educational displays, information on the park's history, and mastodon bones that were unearthed during the digging of the property's lake in the 1930s.

Don't forget to take a stroll around the park's breathtaking Sunken Garden while you're here!

Have you visited Phillips Park Zoo in Illinois? Please tell us all about it in the comments. For more information, visit the zoo's webpage and Facebook page.

For other places in the Prairie State with free admission, check out our previous article.