Lions, Tigers and Bears Three Times.  Oh MY!!   If you like animals, we have the trip for you.  We will start this adventure off with a roaring good time at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo where we’ll make wild memories as we explore extraordinary connections. This zoo is officially known as the Chicago Zoological Park and it houses around 450 species of animals over an area of 216 acres.  That’s a lot of animals!  New in 2024 is the Anniversary Ferris Wheel in celebration of the 90^th Anniversary of the opening of the zoo. This massive sky wheel slowly rotates over two and a half times per minute for a fun riding experience.  Also, the zoo (for the first time in its history), has two male koalas in residence!  Brumby and Willum will be happy to greet you as you get eye to eye with them.  Are you ready to get some koala souvenirs to remember our visit with them?

Our next zoo is located in Milwaukee Wisconsin!  This zoo averages 1.3 million visitors a year and houses 3100 animals from 350 species.  The Giraffe Feeding Experience will put you face to face with those gentle giants with some lettuce leaves. The zoo staff will be right there to help you feed these gentle (and hungry for lettuce) animals.  It will be a tall task that you will remember!  We’ll also see Fly River Turtles which are fun to watch as they swim around the lagoon.

Our last zoo takes us back to the heart of the Chicagoland area.  Lincoln Park Zoo was founded in 1868 and is the fourth oldest zoo in North America.  Lincoln Park Zoo has specially designed animal exhibits which are home to nearly 200 unique species from around the world.  Some of these furry friends include: aardvarks, African Painted Dogs, Swamp Monkeys, Sloths, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and many more!   Besides viewing animals, there are a few rides special to Lincoln Park Zoo.  The Gorilla Trek is a virtual reality experience that takes you deep into the forest to see frolicking gorilla infants play under their mother’s watchful eyes.  Shark Dive and Swimming with Humpback Whales are a few of the other options.

In addition to spotting the animials, we will shop at Woodfield Mall, an iconic shopping center with over 300 stores, restaurants, and specialty shops.  It’s the number one tourist attraction in Illinois!  There is a wide variety of items both budget friendly and not so budget friendly, so you are sure to find something unique!   Over 27 million visitors visit the mall each year and you are sure to find out why.  Another special treat at the mall is Garret’s popcorn – a wonderful treat you won’t find in your local area. Warning: it’s addicting!