Walk among giants.
Hologram Zoo
Illinois.
Family fun & Chicago’s newest zoo — at Hawthorn Mall, Vernon Hills.
Chicago's first permanent holographic zoo. 60-foot laser-light dinosaur tunnels. No VR headset. No animals in captivity. Just wonder.
Hawthorn Mall · Vernon Hills, IL · Lake County
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"Best Inventions of 2023""The Future of Wildlife"Understand it in 60 seconds.
Most people don’t get what walking through a hologram actually looks like. Watch once — then you’ll know.
Watched by thousands of parents before booking
Give the gift of
wonder.
Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion. Redeemable on any experience or package.
Opens securely via Peekpro · No account required
Walk through living worlds.
60-foot laser-light corridors. No VR headset, no cages, no fences. Just step inside and let the wild come to you.
Dinosaur Tunnel
Walk through a 60-foot laser-light corridor as prehistoric giants roar, stalk, and lumber past you. The kids will not stop talking about it.
Asia Tunnel
A Bengal tiger pads past your shoulder. Elephants drink from a river under your feet. Jungle canopies overhead, monsoon below.
Space Tunnel
Step off Earth. Drift past Saturn. Feel the silence of deep space without leaving Hawthorn Mall.
No headset.
No limits.
Just you and the wild.
As featured in TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023
Step into Space.
Float past planets. Pass through asteroid fields. Step onto distant moons — on foot, no VR headset. Newest walk-through tunnel at Hawthorn Mall.
All ages · No VR · Open dailyMake it their best birthday ever.
Walk-through holograms, party setup, memories that last. Three packages built for every celebration.
Birthday Core
Birthday Plus
Birthday Ultra
See our full Kids Birthday Party guide
Everything parents ask — package details, what’s included, FAQs, party themes, and real birthday photos from Hawthorn Mall.
Stand inside the experience.
Four themed rooms. 30-minute sessions. Step inside — and the room becomes another world entirely.
Dinosaur Room
Stand in a prehistoric clearing as a raptor pack circles you. Camera ready — this is the photo of the year.
Book Dinosaur
Aquarium Room
A humpback whale glides over your head. Bioluminescent jellyfish drift around you. You stay completely dry.
Book Aquarium
Sports Room
Holographic soccer, basketball, and racing — your whole body is the controller. Kids leave wrecked, in the best way.
Book Sports
Monster Room
Dragons exhale smoke. A yeti steps from the fog. Halloween-level thrill, kid-safe — glasses off, the room is normal.
Book MonsterSchool trips. Outings. Foundations.
Built for groups of 10+. Weekday-friendly. Indoor and weather-proof — nothing gets cancelled by Lake County winters.
School Field Trips
Replace a textbook chapter with a 60-foot dinosaur. Kids retain it because they lived it. Dinosaurs, ecosystems, space — all in one visit.
Corporate & Groups
Watch your team yell “no way” at a hologram lion and bond over it for months. Team outings that actually excite people.
Foundations & Seniors
Walk or roll through gentle, beautiful holographic worlds. Easy on the body, unforgettable for the heart.
Take a virtual tour
before you visit.
Explore Hologram Zoo Illinois in 360°. Walk the tunnels, get a feel for the space, and see exactly what awaits your group.
"Best Inventions of 2023"
"Technology removes the barrier of the headset. It brings the digital world into the physical world..."Read on TIME →
"The Future of Wildlife"
"It brings the digital world into the physical world seamlessly..."Read on Forbes →
Grand Opening Success.
Honored to welcome the Chicago suburbs to the region’s first permanent holographic zoo.
Thank you to GLMV Chamber, Hawthorn Mall, and the Village of Vernon Hills.
Real guests.
Real reactions.
See all 50 on Google
“We absolutely LOVED coming here and will be back as they keep adding new countries to their tours. Thank you for a fun experience for all ages!”
“A guaranteed hit with the kids! We did the dinosaur exhibit which was fun for the preschooler and kindergartener. The staff are super personable and explained everything well. Very clean and spacious as well.”
“Liked the experience, have been there with my son. The immersion is next-level. The visuals are insanely realistic. Definitely recommend!”
“We were very excited to try this new hologram 3D dinosaur experience, and it did not disappoint. The kids had an absolute blast and were amazed by the realistic and immersive visuals.”
“It was really cool technology and kids enjoyed every bit of it. It was fun for adults too. Manager and employees were very accommodating.”
“So fun!!! My kids loved it and had a blast. We did the dinosaur one and my kids really enjoyed the 3D experience. Super clean facility and spacious. Looking forward to coming again!”
Plan your visit. Get answers. Say hi.
// Find_Us
318 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills
Hawthorn Mall · Lake County IL. Minutes from greater Chicago. Free parking. Open 7 days a week.
// Common_Questions
Before you book.10
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Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Information We Collect
We collect information you provide when you book experiences, fill out contact forms, or communicate with us — including name, email, phone number, and booking details. We also collect analytics data (via Google Tag Manager) to improve site performance and user experience.
How We Use Information
We use your information to confirm bookings, respond to inquiries, send booking reminders, and occasionally send updates about new experiences or offers. We do not sell or rent your information to third parties.
Third-Party Services
We use Peekpro for ticket booking, FormBackend for contact forms, and Google Analytics for site analytics. These services have their own privacy policies governing their use of your data.
Cookies
We use cookies to remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience. You can disable cookies in your browser settings — however some features may not work correctly.
Your Rights
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by emailing us. We will respond within 30 days.
Contact
For privacy questions: +1 (847) 281-7030 or visit us at 318 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, IL 60061.
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Booking & Cancellation
All bookings are made through Peekpro. Tickets are non-refundable but may be rescheduled up to 48 hours before your scheduled visit, subject to availability. Birthday and group bookings have separate policies — see the Party Policies & FAQ for details.
Admission & Safety
3D glasses are provided and required for all hologram experiences. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. We reserve the right to refuse entry or remove guests for disruptive behavior, and we are not responsible for personal items lost on premises.
Photography
Personal photography and video are welcome and encouraged. Commercial use requires written permission. By entering, you consent to being photographed in incidental marketing footage.
Liability
Hologram Zoo Illinois is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from guest negligence or failure to follow posted safety guidelines. Guests visit at their own risk.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are redeemable on any experience or package. They do not expire and are non-refundable. Lost or stolen gift cards cannot be replaced.
Contact
For booking or policy questions: +1 (847) 281-7030 or email through our contact form.