Day Trip: Brookfield Zoo welcomes creatures great and small

CHICAGO – They’re the stuff of myths and legends, children’s fantasy and adults’ fiction. Some still roam the Earth while others have been gone for millions of years. Now, they’ve crawled and stomped their way to the Windy City.

Visitors to Brookfield Zoo can feast their eyes on the fascinating and fantastic during the “Dinos & Dragons,” which opened Saturday and runs through Sept. 17. The traveling exhibit celebrates dinosaurs and dragons, both fictional and factual.

Andre Copeland, interpretive program manager of the Chicago Zoological Society, said in a news release that “people young and old can experience the awe and wonder of seeing these extraordinarily, lifelike dinosaurs and dragons – and, hopefully, learn a few things about these amazing creatures."

The adventure starts inside the museum where visitors find hands-on activities with our modern-day dragons. A 6-foot Komodo dragon will be at the museum – the first time Brookfield has had one — and there will be bearded dragons, too. Other lizards making their way into the zoo include a European legless lizard, iguanas, a plumed basilisk, monitor lizards, crocodile monitor lizards, a spiny-tailed lizard and Nile monitor lizards.

To keep things organized, the reptiles have been separated into three areas: medieval, Asian and paleontology and will be displayed in specially designed environments, like the fire-breathing dragon poking his head out of a castle.

Got a question? Don’t be afraid to ask any of the zoo staff who will be on hand to tell you more about the exhibit.

Among the child-friendly activities are a puppet show with a castle backdrop, shooting a miniature catapult and digging for "dinosaur bones" and other "fossils." A dragon-texture rubbing project, photo opportunities, dig boxes and temporary tattoos are all part of the fun.

The next step is to take a walk outdoors where visitors will meet the big guys from long ago.

As time travelers follow a winding pathway among the trees, they will encounter dinosaurs from different ages. The show features 17 animatronic creatures, including the Stegosaurus, Apatosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and Chinese dragon.

The Stegosaurus comes from the farthest back in time – 150 million years ago in the late Jurassic Period. The most modern on display is the Pteranodon from the late Cretaceous Period, a mere 85 million to 75 million years ago. These and more animated figures come to life in front of the guests.

Even more awaits along the walk, which has a quiz, an excavation site, a lab, and a shop.

So step back in when giants’ booming footsteps echoed across the Earth, and see a some of the smaller creatures that still pitter-patter around the planet.

IF YOU GO …

"Dinos & Dragons"

Where: Brookfield Zoo, North Gate, 8400 31st St.; South Gate, 3300 Golf Road; both in Brookfield

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends, all year

Cost: General admission – $19.85 for adults, those 65 and older and children 3-11 $14.50, military personnel (active, reserves and retired) with identification. Special attractions cost extra. Parking: $12.50 per car. Wheelchairs and wagons, $12; dolphin strollers, $10; and electronic convenience vehicles, $25

Cost for "Dinos & Dragons": $5 for adults and $3 for those 65 and older and 3-11; open until Sept. 17.

Information: czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Home.aspx or 708-688-8000