Lincoln Park Zoo

The basics

Set inside Lincoln Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the top sights on Chicago’s north side, and free admission makes a trip here easy on the travel budget. Daily free activities include animal feedings and talks, featuring inhabitants such as seals and penguins. Pair your visit with a cruise down the Chicago River or a tour of the downtown Loop, then enjoy a break from sightseeing in the lush confines of the zoo. You can also visit the zoo and the surrounding park as part of a cycling tour along the Lake Michigan waterfront.

Things to know before you go

• This free public zoo is one of the best attractions in Chicago for families and any travelers on a budget.

• You must purchase tickets to ride the kiddie train and carousel.

• The zoo is within easy walking distance of the surrounding park and North Beach for a full day outdoors.

• Snacks and meals are available at several restaurants and street food stands inside the zoo.

• Stock up on zoo souvenirs—and support its conservation projects—at the gift shop.

• The zoo is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

Lincoln Park Zoo is located inside Lincoln Park, which is bookended by the Lincoln Park neighborhood to the west and Lake Michigan to the east. Take the L trains to Armitage station (blue and purple lines) or Fullerton station (red line), or buses 22, 36, 151, or 156 to the western entrance.

When to get there

This popular attraction is open daily and gets very crowded on weekends from spring through fall. Visit on a weekday to avoid the throngs, but choose a clear day to enjoy the outdoor habitats. Check the zoo’s official website for daily educational programs, workshops, and other events.

Stars of the Lincoln Park Zoo

This historic zoo is home to hundreds of animals, but if your time is limited, focus on the most beloved. Make a beeline for the critically endangered Eastern black rhinoceroses and sprightly Asian small-clawed otters. The troop of around 15 Japanese macaques is a perennial crowd-pleaser, as are other primates like the critically endangered Western lowland gorillas and white-cheeked gibbons. Visitors with small kids in tow can stop at the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo with its interactive exhibits about animal care and kid-friendly habitats for bears, wolves, beavers, and more.