Aurora's Phillips Park Zoo provides a colorful oasis
River otters.
Gray wolves.
A mountain lion.
Even an alligator.
You can find them all - and many other creatures ranging from bald eagles to great horned owls and from llamas to elk - within an easy stroll from one another at the Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora.
Nestled in the park at 1000 Ray Moses Drive, the zoo was established more than 100 years ago in 1915 and its mission has remained largely the same: to provide a safe environment where students and visitors can gain a better understanding of the animal world and its environment through recreation and education, as well as providing professional care for the animals housed here.
When Brookfield Zoo opened in 1934, the folks running Phillips decided to focus primarily on native animals and that's still the case today.
Admission is free and the zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the exception of a few holidays.
For details on the zoo, its exhibits and its educational programs, call (630) 256-3860 or visit aurora-il.org.