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Lincoln Park Zoo
Zoo
Lincoln Park, Chicago
The folks at Travel + Leisure and Michelin Travel & Lifestyle like this place. Would you agree?
"Awesome free zoo in the heart of Chicago."(30 Tips)
"Their holiday Zoo Lights display is a lot of fun!"(12 Tips)"The big cat exhibit with lions, leopards, and jaguars was amazing"(20 Tips)
"Free admission, beautiful landscape, and wonderful animals."(14 Tips)
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Patrick JebberJuly 19, 2013This is a great zoo, not only because it's free and open to the public 365 days a year, but it doubles as a beautiful park where you can get away from the city and enjoy a change of scenery. A++Upvoted Nov 25, 2024
Wolfgang BaermannJuly 29, 2013Zoo is always fun and nice! We had a good time, got a hand-print painting done. On summer time though, be aware of the rather early closing hour, Sunday @ 17:00! Rather early when the days are so long
aApril 20, 2018It’s a zoo, so it’s a bit sad. You get really close to animals. Of note is the African Apes section, equal measures fascinating and heart breaking. It’s completely free and great for children.
Abdulrahman Almunayes 🇰🇼November 5, 2019Nice open Zoo. Free of charge. In winter, most of the animals are hiding due to cold weather. So many in-door animals. People are volunteering to help, guide & support visitors, download their App.
- Zach Solomon-BeloinJuly 10, 2016Truly incredible that this is a free zoo. Consider making a contribution to keep this special. They do a lot of research and renovations to keep the integrity of the zoo. Great place to visit.
Alicia LynchNovember 8, 2018One of the most unique Zoos I’ve ever been to. There is no other zoo like this zoo. And you can’t go wrong with free. Loved getting up close to the birds and that you felt so close to the animals.
AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014Lincoln Park Zoo is a beautiful park, small zoo and conservatory. There are so many places to sit and rest and take in the beautiful scenery. Not to be missed (during warmer weather)! Read more
Alberto RodríguezJanuary 7, 2016Nothing not to like here. Free zoo with lions, tigers, monkeys, gorillas, seals. Great place for a walk. I was there in winter when they have a light show. Now there is a skating rink too. $5 to skat
Susa DNovember 17, 2016In winter, all cafes are closed but one. The exhibits are very nice, it's wonderful to have a walk through this zoo and escape the city for a while. Be sure to bring a camera!
Melody LeggeJanuary 2, 2016Winter time Zoo Lights is fun. Great zoo. Free. Good location to do other things. Check out the nature Broadwalk right there and cafe Brauer for food and neat view of the city skyline.
So pretty. I haven't been there in years and it was much fun and the gardens are beautiful. Got lucky with street parking and packed a lunch. A fun day w the kids without $. Now that's fantastic- Fodor's TravelJanuary 28, 2016At this urban enclave near Lake Michigan, you can face off with lions, watch about two dozen gorillas and chimpanzees, and see animals both slithery (pythons) and strange (sloths). Read more
Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 20, 2018Located at the Lakefront, this is a beautiful zoo for young and those years wiser. Food and beverage along with amazing animals. And when you hear the Lions roar...you know who is King.
Toria LAugust 27, 2014Awesome zoo! Free & relatively empty today (though the kids are back to school and it's a Tuesday). Don't forget the farm & nearby Conservatory (free as well)!
Heather Scheels-SanbornJune 26, 2018It amazes me that they are able to have and care for all of those animals. Especially when you consider the fact that they do not charge admission. I would definitely love to go back!
Michael DorseySeptember 29, 2015Entry is free for everyone, clean, easy to navigate, and a GREAT skyline view from the nature boardwalk. Easy access to CTA buses.
Sean SandJune 27, 2013What a fun zoo. It is free and you can't beat that. The exhibits are pretty fun and all of the staff there were really helpful and friendly.
Jessika EvansJanuary 5, 2017They made it very clear during shows that they focus on humane animal treatment and also work with various animal rehab organizations. Very impressed.
Free admission. It is a wonderful place to visit on weekend mornings for a brisk walk, it is hardly crowded.
Paul GallagherAugust 28, 2014A must when visiting Chicago. Free and a nice walk from the city centre along the lake shore. An great asset to the city.
Noah AdamsOctober 17, 2015The zoo is free! Giraffes, rhinos, lions, penguins, and a great view of the city from the nature walk bridge!
Lena Strong-MorrisApril 25, 2014Amazing Zoo! It's free. so many animals thatI have not seen before is there. Also, I love birds so, for bird lovers you will like the birdhouse! I will go there again!- Yolanda HamptonJune 1, 2017Free admission, beautiful landscape, and wonderful animals. Loved the volunteers and all their knowledge especially Dan
Ashley MobesApril 7, 2017Beautiful place! Larger than expected. And free! That's awesome. Wish the wild cats had larger habitats.
ValerieSeptember 15, 2014Check out the information desk to get a map. The people there are very friendly and will let you know about different events taking place in the zoo that day.
Kelli SullivanNovember 17, 2013The zoo is open 365 days a year, so you have flexibility for when you want to go! It's one of the last zoos to have FREE admission, so poor college kids, take advantage!
_November 1, 2015Free admission. Great place to bring your family, especially during the holidays since there are a lot of events going on.
Petra BaylinSeptember 10, 2016Honestly, this zoo is SO AMAZING, it shouldn't even be free! The exibits are state of the art, and the animals are well taken care of and ADORABLE!
Matthew TaubApril 28, 2016One of the best free zoos out there. Tons of animals and beautiful grounds. Grab a beer from the cafe and walk around.
Cass GrimmDecember 30, 2016Beautiful and spacious. We saw the zoo lights and they were very pretty though it was quite cold. Lots of hot chocolate and popcorn stands.
Ada ChiuJuly 28, 2020Free admission which is nice. Went after it reopened and all the indoor exhibits are closed. Not as big as I thought, but it’s a good weekend activity.
- Fodor's TravelAugust 21, 2015With free admission every day of the year, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a beloved Chicago institution. There’s a lot to see in the 35-acre park.
Shafiq ShariffJune 1, 2016The Nature BoardWalk at the Lincoln Park Zoo has been re-done for several years now and each fall its beautiful new landscape explodes in fall color. Read more
DHR.comSeptember 12, 2011Interact with some of the most amazing and adorable animals in this old zoo, and see animal houses such as a mammal-reptile house, Kovler Lion House, Antelope & Zebra Area, and Waterfowl Lagoon. Free!
Victoria U.May 15, 2018It’s free and it’s an quick walk! They do move animals occasionally and that will close the park down but definitely go!
Debra JacksonMay 13, 2016Amazing that this zoo is open to the public and has so many animals. A great place to spend time with children.
Daniel LeySeptember 19, 2018A fantastic free zoo, a must visit. A shame that when we visited a lot of the animals weren't on show, but at least we hadn't wasted any money!
Tornaparts !October 16, 2013B.E.A-utiful place. Trees and more trees, very park-like, less zoo-like. Plus seeing a giraffe with a skyline backdrop is always odd and neat. Used to like Brookfield better...not sure why. Drunk?- David HowlandOctober 31, 2016Awesome zoo, with a great ape gorilla exhibit. And it's free! Better than some paid zoos that I've been to.
Ruth MadrigalAugust 18, 2013Beautiful zoo, free admission and enough to see to spend a good part of your day there. Keep it nice, please drop your trash in the garbage bins people! Geez...- Damon SununtnasukMay 2, 2017Free entry. The big cat exhibit with lions, leopards, and jaguars was amazing
Kathleen NemecSeptember 14, 2011This is a beautiful zoo the way it is laid out overlooking the skyline & Lake Michigan. Then seeing all your furry friends. A nice Carosel ride awaits you. So come and talk to the animals!
FJ BeringDecember 30, 2015The lion and tiger were chuffing at each other in the Cat House. It was very cool to hear. The tiger was cool, but the lion wanted a fight!
Christine T.October 20, 2012I enjoy visiting this zoo, especially the gorilla exhibit and the farm. However, I would really like to see the big cat building renovated/expanded.
John HankusMarch 27, 2016Free zoo but paying for parking is required. Lots of stuff to do here on a nice day. Decent petting zoo on the children's farm as well.
Joanne ReinardAugust 3, 2016Great zoo but can't stop thinking of these poor animals..how can they be treated well and accordingly to their needs if the zoo is free??
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Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St (btwn Fullerton Pkwy & LaSalle Dr)
Chicago, IL 60614
United States
Chicago, IL 60614
United States
Closed until 10:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
(312) 742-2000
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Places inside Lincoln Park Zoo
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"Playa restaurant is cool. Got the smoked turkey. It was so good! They had a cool little band performing.Our waiter Steven was awesome!"
Kira Simpson - 9.4
"It's a very good park to walk with no rush. Enjoy yourself amd choose wicho direction you want to take."
Paula Freire - 9.4
"We love the swings, the forest, the ship, the slide crater and the mini golf, and in the winter ice ribbon is cool too!"
Ebony Carr
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- 9.3
"Great space to enjoy the floral side of nature. Stop by after a zoo visit to show the plants some love too!"
Jake Smith - 7.8
"Grunt Burger was excellent! Great shakes too!"
Brad C - 9.1
"It's not just for summer. Take a long walk there during the winter months. Amazing sites! Dress super warm!"
Lina Gonzo
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