Here’s the planning wrinkle every traveling dog owner hits: Brookfield Zoo, like nearly every zoo, doesn’t admit pets. The animals who live there insist on it. So the family trip needs a hotel that genuinely welcomes the four-legged member, not one that merely tolerates them for a steep fee.
That’s us. The William Tell Hotel in Countryside offers pet-friendly stays ten minutes from the zoo’s gates, on a quiet stretch of historic Route 66 with fifty years of practice welcoming travelers of every species. Here’s how to plan a zoo weekend when the dog is coming along.
The Shape of the Day
The move that works: check in with the dog, get a good walk in, settle them comfortably, and head to the zoo for the morning session, the animals are livelier before 11 a.m. anyway. Come back midday (ten minutes, remember), walk the dog, rest, then decide between an afternoon zoo return or an evening in downtown La Grange.
That midday return trip is the whole argument for staying close. From a downtown Chicago hotel it’s impossible. From Countryside it’s routine.
Where to Walk the Dog
Around the hotel: quiet suburban blocks and the hotel’s own outdoor garden area make the morning route easy.
Downtown La Grange: five minutes away, walkable, with patio-friendly restaurants along La Grange Road, several welcome well-behaved dogs outside in season. Our La Grange dining guide
The forest preserves: the Salt Creek corridor and surrounding Cook County forest preserve trails offer proper leashed-dog hikes minutes from the hotel.
What Pet-Friendly Actually Means Here
Every hotel defines "pet-friendly" differently, so ask us directly. Call 708-354-4200 for current pet policies, fees, and room types before booking, and we'll set the room up right. Thoughtful hospitality includes the member of the family who can't read the confirmation email.
See rooms at the William Tell Hotel
Beyond the Zoo Weekend
A pet-friendly base in the western suburbs works for more than zoo trips: families relocating to Chicagoland who need a comfortable week with the dog while house-hunting, road trippers driving Route 66 with a co-pilot, and holiday visitors whose hosts have allergies. Flying in or out of Midway with a pet? We’re 15 minutes west
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brookfield Zoo allow dogs or pets?
No. Like most zoos, Brookfield Zoo does not admit pets, for the safety of its resident animals; only trained service animals are permitted, with some area restrictions. Travelers with pets need a pet-friendly hotel nearby.
Is the William Tell Hotel pet-friendly?
Yes. The William Tell Hotel in Countryside offers pet-friendly stays about ten minutes from Brookfield Zoo. Call the hotel directly for current pet policies, fees, and the best room types for traveling with a pet.
Where can I walk my dog near Brookfield Zoo?
The residential streets of Countryside and La Grange are quiet and walkable, downtown La Grange has seasonal dog-friendly patios, and the Cook County forest preserves along the Salt Creek corridor offer leashed-dog trails minutes away.
Can I leave my dog at the hotel while visiting the zoo?
Policies on unattended pets vary, so contact the hotel before your stay to discuss options, and consider a midday return since the zoo is only ten minutes away.