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Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo

Zoo
Lincoln Park, Chicago
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9.1/10
2,473
ratings
  • Stars
  • Stars
    Has a stamp of approval from Explore Chicago and Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
    • Explore Chicago
    • Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
  • Tips
    Zach R.
    "Awesome free zoo in the heart of Chicago."(30 Tips)
    venessa t.
    "Their holiday Zoo Lights display is a lot of fun!"(12 Tips)
    Damon S.
    "The big cat exhibit with lions, leopards, and jaguars was amazing"(20 Tips)
    Yolanda H.
    "Free admission, beautiful landscape, and wonderful animals."(14 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon271 Tips and reviews
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  • Patrick J.
    Patrick JebberJuly 19, 2013
    This 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 Aug 30
  • Wolfgang B.
    Wolfgang BaermannJuly 29, 2013
    Zoo 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
  • aheart icon on user image
    aApril 20, 2018
    It’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 A.heart icon on user image
    Nice 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 S.heart icon on user image
    Zach Solomon-BeloinJuly 10, 2016
    Truly 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 L.heart icon on user image
    Alicia LynchNovember 8, 2018
    One 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 Media
    AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014
    Lincoln 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 R.heart icon on user image
    Alberto RodríguezJanuary 7, 2016
    Nothing 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 D.heart icon on user image
    Susa DNovember 17, 2016
    In 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 L.heart icon on user image
    Melody LeggeJanuary 2, 2016
    Winter 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.
  • Fodor's Travel
    Fodor's TravelJanuary 28, 2016
    At 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
  • Diana C.
    Diana CAugust 2, 2013
    Been here 5+ times
    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
  • Kevin M.
    Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 20, 2018
    Located 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.
  • Manar A.
    Manar ALzamilJune 27, 2019
    I enjoy visiting this zoo, especially the gorilla exhibit and the farm 💜
  • Toria L.heart icon on user image
    Toria LAugust 27, 2014
    Awesome 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)!
  • Michael D.heart icon on user image
    Michael DorseySeptember 29, 2015
    Entry is free for everyone, clean, easy to navigate, and a GREAT skyline view from the nature boardwalk. Easy access to CTA buses.
  • Heather S.heart icon on user image
    It 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!
  • Sean S.
    Sean SandJune 27, 2013
    What 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.
  • Paul G.
    Paul GallagherAugust 28, 2014
    A must when visiting Chicago. Free and a nice walk from the city centre along the lake shore. An great asset to the city.
  • Jessika E.heart icon on user image
    Jessika EvansJanuary 5, 2017
    They made it very clear during shows that they focus on humane animal treatment and also work with various animal rehab organizations. Very impressed.
  • Jonathan F.heart icon on user image
    Jonathan FerreraSeptember 22, 2014
    Been here 25+ times
    Free admission. It is a wonderful place to visit on weekend mornings for a brisk walk, it is hardly crowded.
  • Noah A.heart icon on user image
    Noah AdamsOctober 17, 2015
    The zoo is free! Giraffes, rhinos, lions, penguins, and a great view of the city from the nature walk bridge!
  • Lena S.heart icon on user image
    Lena Strong-MorrisApril 25, 2014
    Amazing 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 H.heart icon on user image
    Yolanda HamptonJune 1, 2017
    Free admission, beautiful landscape, and wonderful animals. Loved the volunteers and all their knowledge especially Dan
  • Ashley M.
    Ashley MobesApril 7, 2017
    Beautiful place! Larger than expected. And free! That's awesome. Wish the wild cats had larger habitats.
  • Kelli S.
    Kelli SullivanNovember 17, 2013
    The 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!
  • Valerieheart icon on user image
    ValerieSeptember 15, 2014
    Check 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.
  • _heart icon on user image
    _November 1, 2015
    Free admission. Great place to bring your family, especially during the holidays since there are a lot of events going on.
  • Petra B.heart icon on user image
    Petra BaylinSeptember 10, 2016
    Honestly, 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 T.heart icon on user image
    Matthew TaubApril 28, 2016
    One of the best free zoos out there. Tons of animals and beautiful grounds. Grab a beer from the cafe and walk around.
  • Cass G.heart icon on user image
    Cass GrimmDecember 30, 2016
    Beautiful 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 C.heart icon on user image
    Ada ChiuJuly 28, 2020
    Free 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.
  • Cheapism
    CheapismSeptember 1, 2011
    One of the last zoos in America to have free admission. See some animals and then bring the kids to story time on Wednesday and Friday 9:15-10am. Read more
  • Fodor's Travel
    Fodor's TravelAugust 21, 2015
    With 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 S.heart icon on user image
    Shafiq ShariffJune 1, 2016
    The 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.com
    DHR.comSeptember 12, 2011
    Interact 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!
  • Wired
    WiredAugust 8, 2012
    The wildest spot in Chicago in the shadow of skyscrapers has been a natural, free oasis for generations of animal lovers. Read more
  • Victoria U.heart icon on user image
    Victoria U.May 15, 2018
    It’s free and it’s an quick walk! They do move animals occasionally and that will close the park down but definitely go!
  • Debra J.heart icon on user image
    Debra JacksonMay 13, 2016
    Amazing that this zoo is open to the public and has so many animals. A great place to spend time with children.
  • Daniel L.
    Daniel LeySeptember 19, 2018
    A 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 !.
    Tornaparts !October 16, 2013
    B.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 H.heart icon on user image
    David HowlandOctober 31, 2016
    Awesome zoo, with a great ape gorilla exhibit. And it's free! Better than some paid zoos that I've been to.
  • Ruth M.heart icon on user image
    Ruth MadrigalAugust 18, 2013
    Beautiful 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 S.heart icon on user image
    Free entry. The big cat exhibit with lions, leopards, and jaguars was amazing
  • Kathleen N.
    Kathleen NemecSeptember 14, 2011
    This 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!
  • USA TODAY
    USA TODAYDecember 1, 2010
    At 49 acres, this zoo is one of the last in the nation offering free admission. Guests look through modern glass enclosures for a nose-to-nose encounter with gorillas and chimpanzees. Read more
  • Christine T.heart icon on user image
    Christine T.October 20, 2012
    I enjoy visiting this zoo, especially the gorilla exhibit and the farm. However, I would really like to see the big cat building renovated/expanded.
  • FJ B.heart icon on user image
    FJ BeringDecember 30, 2015
    The 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!
  • John H.heart icon on user image
    John HankusMarch 27, 2016
    Free 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 R.heart icon on user image
    Joanne ReinardAugust 3, 2016
    Great 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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