Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the gems of Chicago's sprawling lakefront. The animals live in naturalistic settings, and zoo employees are always glad to point you in the right direction. The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the careless, freakish deaths of some elephants, primates, and exotic birds earlier this year. Hopefully, the resulting bad press has made this truly worthwhile zoo tighten up their act.

This zoo was wonderful for the children, now they have the children zoo section open. The polar bears are the animals to see! The zoo keepers leave notes by the descriptions of the animals which are helpful. What more could you ask for... and it's free! If you can't find street parking the zoos parking is $12 flat fee (wonderful).

amazing, a zoo smack dab in the middle of a city. who'd thunk it???? don't have to travel very far and the animals are happy to see you. fun for the whole family, make a day of it and then go have lunch at one the many places near by.

For being a small and totally free, you can't beat Lincoln Park Zoo. It has all the popular exhibits that visitors want to see(big cats, elephants, reptiles, etc.), including a petting area in the children's zoo(open in the summer only). The new large primate house is fantastic. There's a baby silver back gorilla there at the moment. For urban kids who aren't familiar with life in rural America, there is the zoo farm, complete with an area to pet the goats, a working dairy exibit, an pig "nursery", and a John Deere pavillion that has interactive exibits on the types of crops grown throughout the rest of Illinois . Regardless of what time of year you visit the zoo, you'll find something wonderful to do. In the winter, around Christmas, the zoo puts on a light display that can't help but put the holiday spirit into the heart of even the most dour Scrooge. At the holiday festival, they have an ice sculpting display, Santa Clause, and even caroling to the animals. In the summer, the zoo is a little self-contained oasis. Our summers can get pretty hot. Luckily, the zoo is right off the lake, and the wonderful lake breezes make it a little cooler and more comfortable. There's also plenty of shade and benches to relax on. One area of the zoo not to be missed is the South Lagoon. You can rent a paddle boat (they're a bit $$), and it offers one of the best views of the city. It's absolutely beautiful and serene(not to mention romantic on a summer evening!). Go there, and you'll see why people give Chicago such great reviews. Next to the lagoon, there is also a cafe with a delicious menu and an ice cream parlor. There is a bus from downtown that will drop you off right in front of the zoo, and there is a pay parking lot adjacent. From spring to fall, there is also a free trolley line that will take you from downtown to the zoo and back.

I loved it, we spent more than two hours in it. And that in winter. The houses are pretty ad it is nice and warm. And I couldn't believe, it is for free.

if you're in the mood to spend a lazy afternoon, go to the Lincoln Park zoo. There is a wide array of animals and it is completely free!! its a beautiful place and i highly recommend it!!

we have better and it's called brookfield zoo.

I thought that this zoo was a remarkable place!! I will recomend to everyone visiting Chicago to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo!!!!