Lincoln Park Zoo
One of the oldest free zoos in the United States, with lions, gorillas and polar bears. A family favorite in a lakeside park.
Opened in 1868 in Lincoln Park on the North Side, the zoo is free to enter year-round, though parking is charged. It has an African savanna, a large primate house, and polar bear and penguin exhibits. Its size is manageable, and you can see it in two to three hours. The adjacent Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Nature Boardwalk, where you can photograph the skyline reflected in the water, are also free. The ZooLights festival on December evenings is very popular.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–17:00 (seasonal hours)
Nearby sights
- North Avenue Beach
- Lincoln Park
- 360 Chicago (John Hancock Center)
- Chicago Water Tower
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Magnificent Mile
- Wrigley Field
- Chicago Riverwalk & Architecture Cruise