Specialty: Zoo
Neighborhood: Western Illinois
Open:
Seven days a week
April - Labor Day
9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Shortened hours after Labor Day
Half price admission on Tuesdays
Admission:
$5.00 Adults
$4.50 Senior Citizens ( 62+ )
$4.00 Kids ( 3 – 17 years old )

In 1957, Gordon McLain purchased land located just off Route 6 in Coal Valley, Illinois. It took almost two years to clear the ground and construct the first building. In 1959, Mr. McLain, a masonry contractor with an interest in exotic animals, opened the gates to the public.
The McLain’s Wild Animal Farm, later named The McLain Zoo, was a family owned and operated venture.

One of the main attractions of the zoo is its section of the zoo called Passport to Africa. The newest addition to Passport to Africa is the Giraffe exhibit which houses 1 male and 2 female giraffes.