Phillips Park Zoo, Free zoo in Aurora, Illinois
Phillips Park Zoo is a free municipal zoo located inside Phillips Park in Aurora, Illinois, and it houses native North American animals including river otters, wolves, foxes, eagles, owls, and reptiles. The enclosures are built to resemble natural habitats, so visitors can observe the animals at close range without barriers blocking the view.
The zoo opened in 1915 as a small collection of local animals kept in Aurora's public park. Over the following decades it grew steadily, becoming one of the longest-running free municipal zoos in Illinois.
The zoo sits inside a public park in Aurora and draws many local families who come regularly, not just for special occasions. On weekends, you often see children pressed against the viewing areas, watching the river otters swim or the wolves pace through their enclosure.
No ticket is required, and the zoo is open every day of the year, so there is no need to plan around schedules. The paths are paved and easy to navigate with a stroller or wheelchair, and parking is available near the park entrance.
Every winter, the zoo hosts a Festival of Lights, where illuminated animal sculptures and decorations fill the grounds after dark. It is one of the few events of this kind held at a free municipal zoo in the US, which makes it accessible to visitors of all backgrounds.
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