Want to Do Something Outside the Car on Route 66 in Illinois?-- Part 1: Brookfield Zoo

From the November 20, 2021, Northwest Herald "Route 66 the first hundred miles" in Illinois by Ryan Searl.

The first hundred miles of the Mother Road have some beautiful parks, zoos and natural attractions which many Route 66 travelers miss.

Here are some that are near or on the road:

BROOKFIELD ZOO

8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield

Fifteen miles from Chicago, the 200 acre zoo is widely regarded as one of the best zoos in the country with an amazing array of animals inhabitants.

Opened to the public in 1934, it now has 450 species and more than 2,500 animals.  

And, of course, there's the park's famed Mold-A-Rama as a souvenir of your visit.

--RoadZoo