One of the best things about the zoo is that it's completely free which makes it feel incredibly accessible without sacrificing quality. You can just walk in and explore at your own pace without worrying about tickets or time pressure. The zoo itself is beautifully laid out inside Lincoln Park and it feels more like a peaceful nature escape than a typical crowded attraction. There's a variety of animals to see without it feeling overwhelming. I liked how walkable everything is and you can easily spend a few hours just wandering between exhibits, gardens, and just enjoying the views. It's a great spot whether you're going solo, with friends, or on a casual date. Everything feels relaxed, clean, and well-maintained. read more

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The Lincoln Park Zoo is fantastic for being a FREE zoo! While I think there are a few more superior free zoos in the USA (like the St. Louis Zoo and the Smithsonian Zoo), the Lincoln Park Zoo still is a true gift for the Chicago community. I have a few quibbles I need to mention to explain why this is a 4 star Zoo, but overall, my boyfriend and I spent a wonderful 4 hours here in June 2026, despite it being a VERY busy and crowded visit. We both aren't massive fans of birds and generally zip through bird exhibits at zoos, but we were very impressed by the bird exhibits at the Lincoln Park zoo! The big central space is a great use of land and we think the organization and layout of the zoo are quite good. And of course, I fell in love with nearly every animal in the zoo! I could have stared at the chimpanzee exhibit all day in particular. Now for a few not-so-great things I noticed. Sadly, both times I used the bathroom at the zoo, they were dirty and stinky and messy. Also, we saw only like 5 caretakers the entire 4 hours we were there. And of course, the food and drink options are varied but everything is crazy expensive! So remember to pack your own food and drinks. We spent $20 on two generic chicago style hot dogs at one of the stands. That's wild, pun intended! read more

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I love the zoo. I've been to zoos all over the world when the boys were little it was always a first stop on any vacation. I was so excited when the hotel was literally across the street from the zoo. I don't know how they do it, but entrance is free and it's open every day of the year. It's not a small zoo either. It's quite large. It was a warm day in Chicago so I think a lot of the animals were sleeping. We did see the lions, the giraffes, and the gorillas. There was so much more to see. I just really wish I had more time. I love the zoo. I've been to zoos all over the world when the boys were little it was always a first stop on any vacation. I was so excited when the hotel was literally across the street from the zoo. I don't know how they do it, but entrance is free and it's open every day of the year. It's not a small zoo either. It's quite large. It was a warm day in Chicago so I think a lot of the animals were sleeping. We did see the lions, the giraffes, and the gorillas. There was so much more to see. I just really wish I had more time. read more

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Can't believe this is free! What a cool and great zoo! It's better than a lot of paid zoos. There's so many animals, and it actually takes longer to get through than what'd you think! We didn't even finish going to the exhibits but had been there for almost 4 hours when it was closing. For me the highlight was the polar bear- it was a bit shy which made it all the more exciting when we saw it! The signage around it is a bit confusing- the waterfall area has the polar bear, and the other area has the grizzlies. Since they're next to each other on all of the signs it makes it seem like they're in the same enclosure. All of the animals have the ability to go inside if they want, so I'd recommend waiting and being patient, you may get lucky! I'd highly recommend this zoo- so cool! read more

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With a wide variety of animals, clean and well kept grounds, and a large size, the free-of-charge Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the best zoos around and is definitely worth a visit. Opened in the 1800s, Lincoln Park Zoo is filled with historical buildings, statues, and displays on the animals that have inhabited over the years. Here, you'll find lions, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, birds, sea lions, and more. There are many educational displays as well as a cafe and a gift shop. The surrounding Lincoln Park is also nice and you can easily spend a full day here. read more

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I take my first grade class to the zoo every year for our end of year field trip, and Lincoln Park Zoo never disappoints! Though the picnic area was closed off this year due to the set up for Adults Night Out, there are still SO many places to sit and enjoy school lunches. So many of the animals were out and the weather made it a great day to walk around! The kids couldn't stop talking about all that they saw! We even got a little lesson about Red Pandas from one of the workers. read more

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Came back here with my now two year old and he was in toddler heaven! From an adult perspective, there really weren't all that many animals out (this could be because it's still early march and too cold). For example, the Pritzker Children's Zoo, an exhibit within the LP Zoo, had no animals at all, besides the squirrels which my toddler was still very excited to see (lol). We did see a sea lion, lots of variety of monkeys, gorillas, and lions! Our favorites were the lions. So majestic! We also had a BLAST on the merry-go-round. I forsee lots more trips to the zoo as the summer approaches! Of course, it's free - so even if we don't see a LOT it's hard to complain. Parking was about $35 which for Chicago is not bad! read more

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One of my favorite places to visit when I'm at Chicago is the Lincoln Park Zoo! One of the best things about it is that admission is completely free--you only need to pay for parking. The zoo is huge and offers so many animals to observe and learn about, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages. They also have several dining options with a variety of foods, including Italian, Mexican, Cuban sandwiches, and more. The entire zoo is very clean and well maintained. It's a wonderful place to spend quality time with family and friends while enjoying nature and wildlife! read more

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My daughter ran the Run for the Zoo kids obstacle course this morning for the first time and we stuck a round to see some animals and had a great time. It's not too big and very walkable. Clean and fun for all ages. read more

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I was in Chicago visiting and checking out all the cool things that Chicago has to offer so we put the Lincoln Park Zoo on our list. This Zoo is free which these days there's not many things that are free. With that being said it was amazing how many things they had to offer. It is a neat kind of zoo they even had polar bears which was my favorite. It is not a huge Zoo but it covers all of the things that you expect a zoo to have. They also have inside exhibits with bats and also fishes even a hippopotamus. They have a gift shop on site where you can pick up some cool things. I picked up a magnet with the zoo's name on it which we collect from all different spots where we visit. I would definitely recommend the zoo you can't beat it. read more

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Literally how is this zoo free. When on Memorial Day weekend and even though it was busy there is enough space for everyone. Absolutely beautiful grounds and plants. Sloth was the queen. read more

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We only had time for a short visit BUT we will def be back and to explore the rest of the zoo!!! Also love that it is free with indoor and outdoor options. read more

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I visited ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo with a few classmates before dinner and it was a great way to kick off the evening. The walk through the lights was relaxing and the displays were bright, creative, and easy to enjoy at a comfortable pace. It felt festive without being overcrowded. We grabbed mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate along the way, which made the cold a lot more enjoyable and added to the overall vibe. It was a simple stroll, but it made for a really fun break in the middle of a busy week. If you are in the area during the holidays, ZooLights is definitely worth a visit. It is an easy outing, good for groups, and a solid way to get in the winter spirit. read more

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An absolute must stop if you're in the city and wanting something free to do that can keep you entertained for multiple hours. It's definitely an all ages activity getting to walk around and experience all of the different animals and all of the beautiful landscaping/plants. Have gone here as a child growing up and as an adult both experiences were great! You are also allowed to pack your own food so highly recommend packing a picnic lunch. There is also beach access with a 15 minute walk from the park to North Avenue which has several beach, restaurants, bars, and little food shacks. Really proud of how well they are running the establishment. Biggest perk is it's free so definitely buy something or donate if possible so they can continue running it! read more

I was wandering aimlessly through Chicago, as I feel like walking is the best way to see a city. The rain had just stopped, so the whole Windy City was pretty dead. Next thing I know, I found myself half a pre roll deep face to face with a real life Lion. SIIIMBBBAAA!! The only thing separating us was a pane of glass. I was shocked. This is just a free zoo? That's a literal lion right there? Shouldn't homie be roaming the great planes? Why the hell is he in here? I began to get really sad. I couldn't help but think of the movie Madagascar, when Alex the Lion said "Leaving the zoo was the best thing that ever happened to us. Look at what we did out there in the world. We were really living!" Damn. Are we really just trapping them for our pleasure? So selfish. My next thought was "this little pane of glass is literally the only thing keeping me alive right now..." These apex predators are HUGE. I walked around and saw baboons, vultures, apes, sea lions, and other animals that don't belong trapped in a cage. I began to get really upset and disgusted with myself. It's truly depressing what we do to these animals, but then why am I so excited to see a Lion? Why am I taking selfies with him? I'm a part of the problem. I don't know. Zoos are weird and so am I. IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo read more

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Decided to come here on a whim because the weather was beautiful. The Lincoln Park Zoo is truly a Chicago gem. It's always free, so you don't feel pressured to stay long or see everything. You can stroll through, look around, then leave within half an hour. I love that we were able to witness snack time for the gorillas. It was so funny watching one of them take 5 heads of lettuce and then go sit on the hammock to eat them. There's also some walking trails nearby with great views. read more

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Came to the city to see the zoo lights with my sister and the kids. Honestly, I've come three years in a row and they haven't changed it much which I wish they would even a tad bit. However, this times visit we had a we bit of a surprise! They have giraffes now! I don't believe I have ever seen them here before. Overall, it's great (free) zoo park and the zoo lights are for all ages. Very clean, a ton of stands during the zoo lights for snacks, hot chocolate and alcohol. read more

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Opened in 1868 the Lincoln Park Zoo isn't like visiting a typical zoo. It feels like entering a pocket of nature seamlessly woven into Chicago's urban fabric. The best part? It's free! The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago houses approximately 1,100 animals, representing about 200 species. Big cats, bears, primates, other mammals of all sizes, hoof stock, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, insects, etc...along with well known domesticated animals found in their Farm in the Zoo area! We had one of the best Chicago hot dogs here at the zoo! There are several places to grab food at... The Patio at Cafe Brauer, Park Place Cafe, Bird's Eye Bar & Grill, and Eadie Levy's Landmark Cafe. That Chicago dog was bought at the Eadie Levy's Landmark Cafe...! Food prices can be a bit higher than what you might find outside of the zoo. Pretty typical... The Lincoln Park Zoo is a free open attraction, and you're welcome to bring a picnic or your own snacks and beverages if you prefer. The public restrooms are modern and well kept! The zoo's blend with the surrounding Lincoln Park is truly unique. You can easily stroll through the zoo, enjoying the beautiful landscaping and historical buildings, and then wander out into the wider park for a picnic or a walk along the lakefront. While admission to the zoo is free, navigating the parking situation requires some planning...and can be costly (like any other parking in Chicago). One obscure fact... It's haunted! The Lincoln Park Zoo was built on top of a cemetery! A large burial ground was located on the zoo's site near Lake Michigan... Officials removed most graves as concerns grew that the cemetery was a source of cholera outbreak. Visitors and staff have reported strange encounters over the years in both the lion house and the Laflin Memorial Building! We got nothing... Not even a slight chill during our visit! Lol read more

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Well kept grounds, love that it's free to visitors, but we walked through the entire-but-small zoo and saw very few zoo animals. Not a great way to spend half a day if your time in Chi-town is precious. read more

Lincoln Park Zoo is always one of my favorite place to visit when I'm visiting in Chicago. The landscape and views of downtown are absolutely gorgeous, the variety of animals diverse, and not to mention admission is completely FREE! I've been a few times now and each time I notice new animals or experiences. It's the first and only zoo I've been to where I've been able to see a polar bear up close and personal (which is SOMETHING to see), taken in a gorgeous marshy boardwalk while staring at skyscrapers, and been overcome with a cuteness overload while a monkey proudly showed off her newborn baby to the admiring crowd gathered around her enclosure. Not to mention - if you're a pressed penny collector (like I am) there are several machines scattered around the zoo, so it makes for a good penny pressing stop. Each visit to Lincoln Park Zoo brings a new experience with it. Make time to make your own experiences soon! read more

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It's free. Let's start with that. But unlike most things that are free, this one was a really good experience! Came here on a Thursday afternoon. Many visitors were here. It was lovely to walk through the surrounding neighborhoods with its buildings, office spaces, restaurants and the concrete jungle to this beautiful space - a more natural jungle with plants, trees, green space and of course animals in rehabilitation / being cared for / preserved. It's evident with the amount of signage that this place is intentional on its impact on the natural environment be it their footprint in the local community or their impact as they care for the many endangered species they have. Perfect for adults, a date, children, school field trips etc. there is many to see and lots to learn here. Spent about 2 hours and still maybe could've done another 30 minutes as we missed one spot. We didn't get a chance to eat or drink anything here but they had quite a few items. read more

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What an amazing zoo! Incredible that an opportunity like this is free. Made the expensive parking more worth it ;) there are quite a variety of exhibits, and lots of the animals were active which is always great for the kids! Plenty of restrooms and other kiosks for snacks etc to make your visit comfortable read more

Lincoln Park Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great zoo considering admission was free. Parking was expensive as expected. Despite coming at opening, there wasn't any available street parking. The gates and outdoor exhibits opened at 8AM and 2 hours was more than enough time to wander around. Buildings opened at 10AM and they offered a better glimpse into the larger animals. However, the majority of the animals and entertainment remained outside. Noticeably 10AM was when students arrived for their field trips so it got rowdy afterwards. The best exhibits were at the Northern loop. The penguins, polar bear, rhinos, and primates were very lively and it was enjoyable watching them eat breakfast. The reptile and bird houses were surprisingly open so I found myself ducking from the active animals. It took us 3 hours to complete the entire zoo, all while actively taking photos throughout. This wasn't the largest zoo but it was well maintained. Definitely stop by early in the morning to admire the content animals. read more

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Highly recommend this free zoo! Amazing that it is completely free yet they have a ton of animals I have never seen anywhere else. I got so lucky that I was able to spot the polar bear when I was there. Was also hoping to see their red panda but it was hiding when I went :( It took me around 2 hours to see pretty much all the exhibits. Staff were really nice and helpful with answering questions. The zoo is AZA accredited and they have info about their conservation efforts and welfare of their animals throughout the zoo. read more

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I want to start out by saying this a FREE zoo. Can't tell you how many zoos across the country I've paid to get into. Chicago is making me rethink things. This zoo was great with many sights of animals that don't look half sick. This free attraction I'd encourage any and everyone to check out. It's FREE!!! read more

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I finally got to see the snow leopard! I love LPZ, they have such a wide variety of animals and it's also a great place to stroll around or come with your family. There is so much to see, like the seals swimming around or the lions getting fed. They also have free activities to do with the animals which is so fun for kids or adults. Will be back! read more

Wow this zoo is amazing and free ! Hot so bring hat and sunscreen. Came here after the park with the kids

How can you not love this zoo! It is small but mighty and there is a clear commitment to giving the animals enriching environments. Because it is free it is easy to just stop by and see your favorite animals whenever you want! read more

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You can't do better for a FREE experience! I was so impressed by the beauty and variety of this zoo, especially considering it's in a major city! It feels like a total escape. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, the park was well-kept and smelled great (for a zoo, ha!), and you could truly spend all day here without getting bored. Regardless of age or physical capabilities, I think anyone could have a lovely day here. My favorite exhibits were the lions and the seals, be sure to check them out! Pro tip: the seal exhibit is a great place to escape the heat read more

Lincoln Park Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The Lincoln Park Zoolights are AWESOME! We went for the first time this year during our annual holiday Chicago visit and it was almost cheaper for our party of 10 to go than it would have been for my husband and I to take our kids to the Denver Zoo where we're members. The light displays were very pretty and the kids had fun running around and riding the train. The hot pretzel was quite tasty but for $3 they could at least warm up the hard cheese. read more

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Wow!! What a gem! The animals were so unique and fun to watch. We went when there was snow on the ground, and the zoo did such a great job keeping you warm and entertained. Love the accessibility of it being free. One of my favorites! read more

Lincoln Park Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A zoo!! For free!! Incredible. The selection of animals is also vast and exciting. Seals, flamingos, swans, lions, even a snow leopard are all easily able to be seen. We went right around lunch time on Memorial Day weekend and even then it wasn't too busy. Walking around the park there are many places to sit, relax, and grab a bite of food. The pond even has fish in it, and a great view of the Chicago skyline too. Coming from out of town it was a great place to see. Would love to go back, more cities should have free zoos! read more

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First time visiting and already planning to come back! I couldn't believe this zoo is free--it's such a great experience right in the heart of the city. Super walkable, clean, and well laid out. We saw everything from lions and gorillas to playful seals and birds. Perfect for all ages--families, couples, or even solo. Great way to spend a few hours without spending a dime. A total hidden gem in Chicago! read more

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The Lincoln Park Zoo is a true gem in a bustling city. When I lived in Chicago I would often take time to roam the free zoo to clear my mind. Years later the calm atmosphere and great variety of wildlife still brings a true gem to a great city. read more

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do NOT pass up the opportunity to visit this huge, beautiful, free zoo! you might not see every single animal and that's okay. if anything, it means they have plenty of space to roam and can retreat into their own areas whenever they want, which (in my opinion) is the sign of a great zoo and happy, well-cared-for animals. support the zoo by grabbing some snacks or drinks from the indoor kiosks, and just take in how clean and well-kept everything is. it's a great spot whether you're going solo or with family/friends. the staff was friendly, and it wasn't too crowded when i visited (on a friday). i would definitely come back and highly recommend it if you're looking for something fun and affordable to do. bonus: it's just steps away from clark street, which is packed with places to eat after your visit. loved it! read more

Lincoln Park Zoo - zebra - Zoos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place was mostly great. Parking can be a little intimidating but it's easier to pay to park and have a short walk than try to finess your way into a parking spot. There were lots of closed exhibits and many missing animals. But.. It was free! They had a stroller rental, souvenirs and food vendors selling elote. Nice little zoo to visit in Chicago. The big downside is the inside of buildings felt pretty hot. read more

Lincoln Park Zoo - Zoos Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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A friend of mine recommended I go here especially since it's free, but I never expected it to be so big! You could easily spend the whole day here. Lots of different animals, there are plenty of food options, a gift shop and more. The staff was also super friendly and we learned more about the rhinos and polar bears. read more

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It feels incredible and magical to me that this is zoo is open to the public. I had such a fun few hours here with my boyfriend seeing all sorts of animals - including, otters, polar bears and macaques. You can tell that it is a legitimate zoo that really cares about the habitats of the animals live in as well as educating the public. The staff has wonderful volunteers as well. read more

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We visited the zoo this week and were so happy with our experience. We had a coolish, rainy day - so that part wasn't ideal - but even with the "dicey" weather we had a wonderful experience! Among our favorites were the lions; they were sleeping really close to the glass, and it was just amazing to see. We were entertained for quite some time by the many different primates, they really have the cutest personalities! We saw many many more animals, and the zoo is def one of our favorite activities of the trip! I am incredibly impressed the zoo is free of charge - kudos to all responsible for providing such a great place to spend a day read more

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Absolutely loved the zoo Lions came out to greet us The chimps said hi The birds flew around And the reptiles were exquisite Wonderful place Highly recommend Would repeat And it's free... just donate some money... wow! read more

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