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Lincoln Park Zoo
Zoo
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Has a stamp of approval from Travel + Leisure and Michelin Travel & Lifestyle
"Free zoo with lions, tigers, monkeys, gorillas, seals."(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)
271 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- zoos
- free admission
- scenic views
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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??
Brian PappAugust 7, 2014Surprisingly nice. Enjoyed the mix of outdoor & indoor exhibits. Both well kept.
Rachel WhinneryJuly 30, 2015Walk right in and meet some animals up close and personal. 🐯 (Layout is a little wonky - we went around in circles looking for giraffes.)
David KollerMarch 6, 2016I love this zoo. It's free, in the middle of the city, constantly being improved, and a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle.
Carlos LlamachoApril 17, 2016Plenty to see, great scenery and pretty informative signs at the exhibits. Overall is a great experience.
Joseph MorgensternSeptember 29, 2013Who doesn't love a free zoo?!? Best zoo in America - no. But absolutely worth a trip with the kids - it's just a great spot!
MichelleJuly 21, 2013Amazing, beautiful and historic zoo. It is free!! They also had great educational tables set up to teach the kids!
Pierre ValadeOctober 21, 2011Part yoga pavilion, part outdoor classroom, the South Pond Pavilion at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo is a stunning architectural statement located along the Zoo's new Nature Boardwalk.- vanessa buenrostroMarch 23, 2016A very fun place to see many animals and the exhibits and best of all its free admission!
- Love the Polar Bears. The best event is the Zoo Lights event; even better than Brookfield Zoo event.
Time Out Chicago KidsJuly 2, 2012The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo is nominated for Best Brush with Nature in our Hipsqueak Awards, vote now at
The primates are always great, especially the Tamarins. When the Polar Bear is swimming it's also really fun. If you catch the Black Rhino on a good day, it can be really fun to watch prance around.
AmandaMarch 31, 2014Founded in 1868, it is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. Best part, it's FREE! Must see: the gorilla house.
Mark HOctober 10, 2011An excellent excellent zoo! It's amazing that it's free cos I'm sure ppl wud pay to enter this zoo. In my opinion it's way better than the very pricey Shedd's...
Christopher MichaelJuly 28, 2019Great zoo to walk around and enjoy the air. Check out the gorilla exhibit.
One of the true jewels of Chicago, especially considering that admission is free for all.
HISTORYApril 7, 2010Est. in 1868, the zoo is among the oldest & most modern zoological gardens in the country. Its intimate setting enables guests to experience the thrill of getting up close to different animals.- Maureen HOctober 21, 2018Great zoo! Very clean, the animals are so active and best of all, it is free!
ZocDocOctober 20, 2011In the summer, bring your yoga mat and a water bottle and spend an hour getting your mind and body in shape while gazing out at the city. Absolutely beautiful!- Analise BluemelMay 8, 2013It's free to the public! Make sure if you can to leave a donation though! Great educational spot and good place to roam around!
Ari CaldwellDecember 27, 2014I love this zoo! The fact that it's free admission does not make it any less fun and interesting.
Brandon ClayAugust 27, 2012Great zoo and it's free!. Lots of helpful volunteers to help guide you. Go to the nature boardwalk for an awesome view.
Jeffrey PfallerSeptember 12, 2014Can't beat free. Perfect zoo to stroll in and out of, whether you have an hour or all day.- The zoo is always free. With kids, be sure to stop in the Children's Zoo and visit the Farm. Their holiday Zoo Lights display is a lot of fun!
- Captain DeadpoolSeptember 30, 2017Usually come here but the last time was for the Zoo at Night event and it was so cool to party with the animals!
Andrew CJanuary 10, 2016I hate zoos but the holiday light show around the property is so freaking cool and fun to watch!!
Christina C.December 29, 2012They had some animals indoors. Great for families & something free to do at night.
Joshua CrutchfieldApril 19, 2016Love this zoo. Love that it's "free". Factor in parking before you make the trip!
Ricky PottsAugust 21, 2010Come early as the zoo fills up pretty quickly. It's free too so that draws people from all over. Lots of great animals though!
Dana ParkerAugust 2, 2015Best free zoo in the country, and maybe even better than a lot of paid ones
Brian IbarraMarch 12, 2016Free to the public and closes at 7 pm get there early but easy to find at least
Tiffany PorterNovember 8, 2014Free zoo! Awesome! Beautiful park to wander through and enjoy the exhibits.
Lisa NJune 24, 2013It's free! Get there early to beat the crowds and get good views of the animals. Surrounding park is nice too.- Simon & Schuster ManagerAugust 24, 2011Characters Owen and Adelaide spend afternoons here. One guest was a bear cub who roamed the zoo at night. Scenes set here in BRIGHT AND DISTANT SHORES http://bit.ly/oM5tmC
MazdaNovember 17, 2010The zoo was founded in 1868, when the Lincoln Park Commissioners were given a gift of a pair of swans. In 1874, the swans were joined by a bear cub, the first animal purchased for the zoo.
Michael FoehseOctober 16, 2012Amazing for a free zoo. They'll get you on parking, but it's one if your cheapest options when doing up the Chi with kids!
Travel + LeisureMay 29, 2012Hop astride a Siberian tiger or giant panda on the Endangered Species Carousel, or paddle around the lagoon on a swan-shaped boat. Read more
Awesome free zoo in the heart of Chicago. Beautiful nature walks too.
Matt KoskinenJuly 12, 2015free admission! also good food quality, and not insanely high prices, wide variety!
Josh SciannaDecember 18, 2017Zoolights is always an attractive site to see, I highly recommend for a date night.
Danny PayneOctober 15, 2016Very impressed with the location and how much they had to offer for a free zoo in a downtown large city.
They filmed the zoo scenes in Baby's Day Out here (the gorilla cage scene was actually in the cat house).
Michelin Travel & LifestyleAugust 2, 2011You can’t beat a walk in the woods at Lincoln Park Zoo, whose collection and agenda reflect its strong conservation mission. -- Green Guide Editor
Jessie BarberApril 3, 2010This is a great, clean, and free zoo. If it's really hot outside, head to the underwater viewing at the seal pool — it's a nice refresher after being out in the sun.
Resurrection Larry ArroyoMay 31, 2012The most famous host was Bushman the gorilla who not only swung from Hitlers tire and escaped the zoo for a bit but also graced Timemagazine
Come when the zoo opens! More animals are out an about. If you come early afternoon, everyone is napping.
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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 tomorrow (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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"Great space to enjoy the floral side of nature. Stop by after a zoo visit to show the plants some love too!"
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Melda Özkan - 9.4
"This is a beautiful place to enjoy nature in the middle of the city."
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