Reviews of Lincoln Park Zoo (Tourist Attraction)

David Fargo

Do not!! go to this zoo if you are Handicap!!!!!!!! Staff is rude!!not helpfull and thought it was funny that I was Handicap!!!! Worst zoo ever... It is a great place if you just want to let your kids run around. If you do need help don't ask the staff they will not help!!!!!! If anyone from the zoo reads this.. NO DONATION for you!!!!!!!!!!!! There were two employee's that did help. the very nice girl at the west gate who did help, The only one at the zoo.. So a big thank you to her...

Lauren Caldwell

A great place to spend the afternoon! It’s quite large for being a city zoo. The park was very clean and well maintained. It was super hot the afternoon we went so we stopped and grabbed a shaved ice. Most of the animals were sleeping or not in their outdoor enclosures, but that was because of the heat. All in all, this is a great place to take a walk and see some cool animals. Even better to bring the kids—it’s free!

Paola Batic

Beautiful zoo with plenty of animals! Surrounding area is just as beautiful with fountains, gardens, and the Lincoln Conservatory nearby. Parking at the zoo is a little pricey but worth it when considering the zoo entrance is free.

Twin Peaks

I don't understand how a zoo this good can be completely free. Honestly one of the best I've ever visited, huge selection of animals (who all look well cared for) and knowledgeable keepers who are only too happy to talk at length about them. There really is no excuse not to visit if you're in chicago!

Gina Hudson

A free zoo!!! Yes please!!! Parking in the paid lot was very affordable, like $24. The zoo was amazingly clean. I wish we'd have known they were closing early for a private event... A sign may have been nice.

Jaz L

I mean, it's a free zoo, what more could you ask for? The zoo has an impressive range of animals and has pretty nice enclosures for them. Concessions are really overpriced but, what do you expect from a free zoo in the city? Great place to go with the family and although I haven't attended them, I know the zoo also holds a plethora of interesting family and adult events throughout the year.

Robert Negri

I have paid a considerable amount of money over the years for many zoos that are nowhere near as good as good as this zoo. It is absolutely amazing that a zoo that is completely free to visit could be this well run with such quality exhibits!

Jessica Reed

Nice park in the city. We went on a Friday morning, and there weren’t many animals out. But for a free zoo, we saw a lot.

Justin Scott

Such a great time! We spent several hours here and it seemed like we had just gotten there. Really enjoyed our time there. Very family oriented!

Karen J.

A hidden gem within the city of Chicago. A wonderful zoo; we were there at an after hours event featuring the Chicago Philharmonic. If given the opportunity, I highly recommend!

Joseph Rude

I love this zoo! They have great info about rehab and repopulating all the animals they display and it's always a cool experience

Tyler Bules

Very poor experience here. The parking lot is very undersized and gets congested easily. If you manage to find a spot to park, it is at least close. Inside you will find several parts of the zoo do cost money. The carusel does cost a few bucks to ride, but is nice. The animal exhibits are quite overgrown and often void of any animals at all. We walked the entire park and only saw a few animals. We stayed at the park no more than an hour and had to pay $25! This 'free' zoo is a far cry from free. At the end of the day, you will end up paying as much, if not more, than comparable 'pay' zoos. At least 'pay' zoos are upfront about the cost, instead of presenting themselves as free.

Peter Caruso

A great Zoo very family-oriented a real gem in the city. Definitely a place to see. Not too many things around with free admission!!!

David Miracle

Great free zoo. Even if it wasn’t free. It did however have more attractions than actual animals, and yes I get it that winter is coming. Very fun for adults and kids.

Osama Alzahrani

The fact that the entrance is free makes you think this is a normal zoo. In fact, this is one of the largest zoos I have ever been to. And it was nice.

Naresh Hinduja

Great zoo. amazing variety of animals with helpful guides standing throughout the park to help w any needs. I just wish they had more learning/interactive animal experiences. Great park overall.

andres rodriguez

Fantastic, it's free, how could you not rate it 5 stars? Gorillas, bears, otters, reptile exhibit and the natural outdoor flowers and birds give you a relaxing day at the park experience. As a bonus you run into animal habitats. Lots of child play areas, very kid friendly. It's a wonderful way to burn a few hours outdoors.

Laura Texas

It’s a great zoo. And it’s free! I usually donate some money or buy something at the gift shop to support the zoo. I was there at the end of June of 2019 and the Lion exhibit was closed. I don’t know when it will open back up.

Ashok Kumar G

One of the best hangout places in the city for kids and parents. My kid loves it. And it’s free. Donate if you like it like us. Monkeys, Rhinos, Polar bears, Zebras, Penguins, Reptiles, Camels, Llamas, Kangaroos, Flamingos, Gorillas, Ostriches, Deer, Wolves, Bears, African Painted Dogs, Crocs, Hippos, etc.

Mandy Cosme

Under renovations when visiting at the time No felines! D: But a fun time none the less. Water fountains don't work though, highly suggest bringing water bottles so you don't spend more than you need to see animals. Best times to go is late morning early afternoon, noon can be too hot for some animals and can lead to sleepy ones. Don't bring your pets to the zoo (unless an authentic service dog) because this is a place to see exotic animals not a risk for your pooch or other wildlife.

Olivia Macias

One of the last free zoos in America, what a treasure! The swan here stole my second husband, Richard. Had a great time!

Alison Day

The atmosphere of the zoo was really cool and different. However, the zoo closed an hour early for a private event (it did not mention this on the website). Many of the animals were off-exhibit (maybe they were in for the night because of the event).

Sam Elliott

Visited here on a bike ride of the city. Free entry so completely a bargain. Well worth a visit if your looking for a cheaper day out. Do advise you take food and drink with you though as it was extremely expensive inside.

SFGirl49 CaliGrown72

Free but costs to park. Still not bad for what you get. They have all the zoo animals you care to see. Wasn't very crowded. Grandkids loved it...and so did we. Will definitely return. Love the area it's located at also.

Catherine Garcia

The Indianapolis Zoo is far better. There wasn't hardly anything to see here, and the parking is a joke. $30 and while trying to leave, the damn lot was so congested. Won't ever be back.

Nicole Schuman

What a beautiful zoo, I didnt expect something so big or gorgeous downtown Chicago. My family had a wonderful time, the animals and the plants made for fantastic scenery. Perfect way to spend a day with a toddler, they have a cool kids area that could keep the kiddos busy for quite some time. We explored most of the zoo but ran out of time to see the farm animals area unfortionately but it gives us a good reason to go again soon! I also love that you can walk into the conservatory greenhouse while you're walking, it was just stunning!

Monee Hendricks

Family oriented. Great attraction for children. My son is in the Leap learning program for toddlers. Program is fundamental and interesting. My son loves it. A pleasant visit for all ages.

Christopher Hall

Have a friend in town from the Netherlands, and after visiting the conservatory, I suggested we take a quick walk through the zoo. Ive been here many times (it was even a birthday request of mine one year). We wound up spending over 3 hours here: he was stunned not only with the quality and the animals but that it is also free.

Brenda Dudash

What's not to like about a free zoo? I've been to much larger zoos, but they do have a variety of animals from different continents. It's a quick drive from the Chicago Loop. Parking is $20-35, depending on how long you stay, but again, admission is free. Be prepared to walk awhile to the entrance as parking is one long single road that extends quite a ways.

Tianwen Chen

Always free always a nice 1+2 hours with kids. Parking is expensive? Actually you can also find free parking in the neighborhood, if not on Cannon street, then just try go west side a little bit, like 10 minutes walking distance. 9 out of 10 times I found parking, even with yesterday crowds for air water show

Isaac Mata

Beautiful zoo, I can't believe it's free. The exhibits are beautifully landscaped and the buildings are also very nice. Great place to bring the kids and just stroll around. Park place cafe is a good place to have lunch but the food is a little bit pricey or save even more money and bring your own lunch and drinks.

Cory Williams

There were a lot of exhibits that were closed and hardly any animals in the open ones. Did see some good ones though, but it should've been better...

KK커플

My friend and I unexpectedly visited this zoo and it was remarkable. Couldn't believe it was free, the souvenir shop was pretty cheaper than other places, there were decent amount of animals! Seals, bear, wolf, .... So glad that we visited. The most impressive part was the scenery and landscape gardening. The landscape with flamingo was.. just so pretty. I highly recommend to visit with family / children.

Rebecca DeMarco

It's a place to welcomes everyone and it's free to enter. I highly recommend going. They are very attentive to the animals and the grounds are beautiful. It's a great place to go with out of town visitors or children. They also have fun after-hours fundraiser events that are unique and popular.

Dee T

Zoo is beautiful but needs maintenance. Mostly at the entrances. Bathrooms are out of date. Lack of cleanliness as well Cracks in the sidewalks. Some animals look unhappy. All employees are very cordial. Customer services is great. City of Chicago should invest more here.

Scotty Stossel

Really well maintained public zoo. Fun way to spend a sunny afternoon in Chicago.

Ann Strickland

It was a great family afternoon. Small enough to feel like we could see everything in a few hours and large enough to have a good time at the zoo. The flowers and natural butterfly gardens were beautiful and well maintained. Lots of snack places and eateries around the zoo. Great time, Chicago!

Isaac Mata

Beautiful zoo, I can't believe it's free. The exhibits are beautifully landscaped and the buildings are also very nice. Great place to bring the kids and just stroll around. Park place cafe is a good place to have lunch but the food is a little bit pricey or save even more money and bring your own lunch and drinks.

Michael Sinensky

What an amazing zoo. And it's free (we donated $ at the end because of how awesome it was). Highly recommend for children of all ages - even a stroll with friends or a significant other. We only saw half in about 90 minutes. So much more to see. Need 3 hours at least to see everything. The greenery, plant life, animals, friendly staff, great food and snack options, gift shops, rides and kid's attractions were all perfect. We will definitely be back. I need a nap :)

Kevin Adventures

Make some time to enjoy this treasure. This park is free. yes its free. Now you might have to pay to park,but this is all free. Perfect place and $26.00 at the conservatory. The upkeep is very well,clean and peaceful environment. The gorillas where are our favorite ,but many great indoor and outdoor exhibits. The zoo was founded in 1868, when the Lincoln Park Commissioners were given a gift of two pairs of swans by Central Park's Board of Commissioners in New York City. Other animals were soon donated to the park, including, a puma, two elk, three wolves, four eagles, and eight peacock. In 1874, a bear cub from the Philadelphia Zoo was the first animal purchased by the zoo. The bear became quite adept at escaping from its home and could frequently be found roaming Lincoln Park at night. In 1884, reportedly the first American bison born in captivity was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Danielle Stone

Not enough animals outside except Giraffes and zebras. Also, many of the animals appear to be heavily sedated especially the primates. You barely get any movement out of the adults but the babies put on a nice show. Was also sad to see that the lion house no longer exists just some 5D simulated ride that has nothing to do with lions. Anyway, still enjoyed myself! It's free, plus it's a great way to enjoy a beautiful afternoon! Thank you!!

Mary Biancalana

One of the most fantastic zoos in the country. Lincoln Park Zoo has something for everybody! Lots of science-based exhibits to learn and expand knowledge. They also have excellent Food Service during the summer. I love the cafe stop above their main gift shop by the main entry excellent salads and you can even get a alcoholic libation there if you so choose. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because there is lots of walking. But I also appreciate that this dude has plenty of places to sit down and rest and take it all in. Lincoln Park Zoo gets 5 stars from me!

Pace Holdbrooks

Wonderful zoo, especially considering the free admission. Beautiful exhibits and habitats and the animals seem very content. Gorilla house is a highlight. Personally loved watching the red wolves in the children's zoo area (free to public as well!!!). Also a great place to kill time while on business.

Lauren Caldwell

A great place to spend the afternoon! It’s quite large for being a city zoo. The park was very clean and well maintained. It was super hot the afternoon we went so we stopped and grabbed a shaved ice. Most of the animals were sleeping or not in their outdoor enclosures, but that was because of the heat. All in all, this is a great place to take a walk and see some cool animals. Even better to bring the kids—it’s free!

Cinda Rutter

I've never been to a free zoo before but that's what this is! The enclosures are nice and large and the animals looked so happy. The flora really made this zoo a beautiful place to visit. We stood and watched the polar bears play for quite awhile. They were so happy to be swimming around and playing with the barrels!! I would suggest visiting this zoo to anyone visiting Chicago. It really was a beautiful place and the animals seemed very well taken care of!

Diana Gibbs

A perfect size for a good day at the zoo. Great staff. Nice exhibits - the animals all seem pretty chill, not anxious or pacing like at some zoos. This means they're mostly lying around, but they do it in view.

Latricia Finley

Lincoln Park may not be as big and flashy as some other zoos. But that is what makes it worth visiting. I would go so far as to call it charming. My son and I had a blast walking around and taking everything in..

James Cole

Great variety of animals! It is a great place to hang out for the day. Zoo is free and blew us away. Definitely should give a donation.

Keila Gomar

It's free, big and beautiful, with nice bridges over little ponds with ducks. It has several warm Houses with animals, wich is super nice in colder months to still enjoy it. It has an indoor playground in front of the wolves, wich is super nice in colder months as well. The zoo has a seasonal fall festival, Christmas lights, and a lot of events! Most of them are free. The farm on the zoo is amazing as well and is full of free activities for kids 5 yr old and under such as pet the goats, feed the cows and chickens, sensory activities, sing along and dance, edible gardens... Etc. Zoo fan over here!

Samantha Okowita

I had to remind myself it is a free zoo. The exhibits were relatively small, but there were keepers everywhere to educate and increase awareness. This is a great place to bring kids,or to take a casual leisurely stroll through while also seeing a few neat animals here and there. .y favorite was the polar bear and ice wall.

Curtis Achterhof

Love this place. The fact that it is free is the cherry on top of a great asset the city. Amazing place for people of all ages.

Jess Sheehan

This place is amazing. I used to go here as a kid with my Gram so coming back brings back great memories. I would pick Lincoln Zoo over Brookfield any day.

Felix M F

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a treasure in comparison to other Zoo's. The Zoo itself is huge and has a lot of attractions to see from mammals, reptiles, birds, etc. The best part is that the park itself is free and does not require any admission fee. Highly recommended for anyone of all ages.

Nancy Zamarripa

This zoo is awesome, beautiful. All is clean and they have all the animals in excellent condition. Loved it!

Clarissa Hanson

Small, but quality over quantity for sure! Very fun to visit as a tourist, and would visit again! Even more fun than the Columbus zoo in my opinion!

Danny Woodson

Not as good as it was years ago. See 1 gorilla, see 1 seal, see 1 rhino. It use to be alot more and now pay $25.00 to park for 2 hours. More time? More money. Only good part is that it is free admission. Get what you pay for

Mary Biancalana

One of the most fantastic zoos in the country. Lincoln Park Zoo has something for everybody! Lots of science-based exhibits to learn and expand knowledge. They also have excellent Food Service during the summer. I love the cafe stop above their main gift shop by the main entry excellent salads and you can even get a alcoholic libation there if you so choose. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because there is lots of walking. But I also appreciate that this dude has plenty of places to sit down and rest and take it all in. Lincoln Park Zoo gets 5 stars from me!

Christen Nagel

Great zoo! The animals have plenty of space in their enclosures, which is always nice to see. There are also beautiful flowers throughout the zoo.

Jessica Escalona

Going early and on a cool cloudy day will give you the BEST chance to see ALL the animals awake and active. From a polar bear swimming, black pear at the glass to monkeys howling it was a great day.

Ana Munoz

Everyone is so friendly here. I loved the botanical garden and the variety of exhibits. Parking prices are good . We will be back because we didn't have enough time to see everything .

Joseph Crawford

A really cool zoo. They've got all your typical zoo animals but what really sets it apart are the zoo grounds. Tons of beautiful trees and the landscaping is really beautiful. Their gorillas were a highlight!

Norma Badeaux

Wonderful free zoo. In October, great Seasonal attractions. Clean well-kept animal areas. A fun Children's area too.

Arif Erkoca

The only plus of this place is that it has a free entrance. Other than that it is just a regular park with some random animals. Most of the time, you should be really lucky to be able to see any animals, especially those being displayed outdoors. We live in the area and have been to this place many times. I wouldn't suggest this place to those who are looking for a complete zoo experience. It is just a nice place in the neighborhood to wander around. Nothing compared to other zoos such as the one in San Diego. Even the one in Tucson, AZ is much better.

Abigail Oliphant

Really good free zoo, we enjoyed bringing our kids there. They had a private nursing area which is great if you're bringing a baby. I'd suggest not staying past 3 though if you're there with children. Too many young people with nothing better to do, smoking right in front of exhibits and such. Almost like a party atmosphere.

Zimmy Videos

Great zoo for kids. It's not too big but just a warning in the summer you need to bring water.. A lot. There are a lot of restaurants for some reason which is interesting

A Kneese

This park and zoo in downtown Chicago is free! The landscaping and grounds are gorgeous and the area is very well maintained. We saw everything from polar bears to flamingos and enjoyed the playground just outside of the zoo area as well. Parking is tough to find for free on the street, but patience paid off for us. Otherwise there is a paid parking lot there too.

Alex Grippy

Amazing, love the fact that you can just walk right in without bothering with any check points or ticket. We were walking along in Lincoln Park and next thing we knew were in the middle of the zoo. It is a nice walk in the park filled with things to look at. All the exhibits are well maintained and there is a lot to see.

Paul Guzauckas

Always love the zoo. Dessert festival wasn't as great as anticipated a lot was over cooked or just fell flat. Most who boasted about awards probably had little or no competition. Large crowd but well organized. Worth the admission since most proceeds go to help the public zoo.

De-Andric Williams

I grew up going to Lincoln Park as a kid & now that I'm a parent, I enjoy taking my kids to the same familiar zoo that I always remembered. It's in an amazing location with plenty of attractions nearby & to top it off, it's free! I love my city & this zoo is one of my all time favorite places to visit! If you are thinking of visiting Chicago, it is a must see, but don't forget to bring your swimming trunks & beach towels because the North Ave Beach is within walking distance as well!

Renee G

I love Lincoln Park zoo! It is so beautiful! The kids enjoyed it. There is plenty to see and do! We got lucky the day we went and were able to watch "Shakespeare in the park" right outside of the zoo. The proximity of the zoo to the beach and to restaurants and other sights is perfect! The nature walk is absolutely stunning!

Michelle Stuart

My family and I have always had nice experiences while visiting this zoo. It’s clean, good sized and lots of good exhibits. The only thing I would really improve is adding signs along the walk ways saying where each exhibit is and not just posting the map in a couple places. It’s very inconvenient to have to stop and look at the map while people are walking all around and you’re trying to keep an eye on your kids as well. Otherwise, it’s a great zoo.

Ronald Henderson

Lincoln Park Zoo has always been my number one favorite attraction in Chicago, since my first visit as a child. This Zoo has much changed for the better. I can assure you, you’re going to be here for hours if you have children because it is so many things that will interest them apart from the actual exhibitions. The surrounding area is magnificent and in my opinion, there is no location better. You’ll enjoy your visit at Lincoln Park Zoo!

Юлия Казначейская

Great place for walking with friends or family. Park is free but you can make donations ( recommend). A lot of animals and they look healthy

Anthony Vega

Very peaceful and fun. Great for a casual stroll or date. Great places to eat in the zoo as well. And if you have kids, it will be a great idea to take them.

Leo Orozco

Great zoo. Even better that it’s free to get in. Good variety of animals to be seen. No complaints.

Andi Kowalski

I have always loved walking around the zoo. I am glad there is still no cost to enter! I have brought students there on field trips. Zoo Lights is amazing (in December). Giraffes are my favorites! The gift shop is reasonably priced; I often shop and save items for birthdays! Everyone should visit, support, and love Lincoln Park Zoo!!!

Julia Burke

The worst part about getting on the "Ledge" is getting TO the Ledge. The wait time was about 45-60 minutes just to get there and, from my understanding, that was a short wait time. Then you only get 90 seconds, if you have 4 or more people, 60 seconds if less than 4 people. If you have a fear of heights, it can be terrifying but you'll be glad that you did it! Even if you decide not to go onto the Ledge, then just looking out the windows and seeing the City and the Lake can be breath taking. Highly recommend!The Lincoln Park Zoo is one I have been looking forward to visiting for a long time. It did not disappoint. Even on a foggy day, the park was beautiful. Natural settings for the buildings and habitats were well maintained and lovely.The animals seems happy and well cared for and the zoo keepers and volunteers that we encountered were knowledgable and happily answered questions. The staff in the gorilla habitat were great! Sharing personal observations on each member of the bachelor group that were fascinating. We also had a great conversation while watching the African Painted Dogs. We had never seen them before so it was great learn more about them.There were many school groups the day we went but the park was certainly big enough for all of us!

Davis Castillo

Great for the whole family to enjoy a very nice park with animals from all over. The kids loved the flamingos over the lake and penguins cove.

Natalia Rasavong

This zoo is fantastic and it’s FREE!!! The exhibits are located strategically to be able to enjoy the animals in their habitat. Love how you an see them from different angles. Love the size of the zoo. It’s just perfect to enjoy all the exhibits.

Sheila Krohe

While there weren't any big cats, we did enjoy seeing some animals we don't have in our area. Plus, you can't beat the price. I would say we spent about 2 and a half hours, took our time and saw every corner

Kendra Alexander

This was my first visit here and I really enjoyed it. Where I'm from, our zoo is only about a 15 minute walkthrough. This was a nice change. I especially loved the African animal exhibit!

Evovprime V

A perfect day indeed! Not too big. Not too small. Our children enjoyed the seal, penguin, polar bear, rhino, and monkey exhibits! Enjoyed lunch in the park. Great place.

Nikos Dzholas

Wow! I liked it so much. It's so clean here, animals are so cute. Thanks Chikago and their people for such an opportunity.

Jessica Stitt

Loved it! Still surprised that it was free, which makes it so accessible to so many people. I bought things in the gift shop to give back to the wonderful cause.

A C

Had such a great time at this zoo. Went in with low expectations being as it is a free zoo, but was wonderfully surprised by how great it was and how many exhibits it had. Would definitely recommend for anyone with children.

Mukesh Pareek

Very peaceful. Perfect for an outing with kids. Good collection of animals. And the nature board walk is beautiful and gives a great view of the Chicago Skyline. You can go and sit near the pond on grass and watch the ducks in the evening after you are done with the zoo.

Josh Tischler

I love the open feel of this place! You have total freedom to explore anywhere you should choose to. The fact that there is no admission fee is a plus. It looks like their animals are treated and accommodated very well.

Gina Pfeiffer

What happened to the signage? In years past, there were signs on poles directing guests to various areas of the zoo. If you were near the lion house and wanted to see another specific part of the zoo, there would be a sign pointing the way. Today on our visit, there were none. We were ambling along on paths that didn't always have an outlet, and the greenery obscured a clear view of how to get to other parts of the zoo. Put the signs back, please.

Victoria Reeves

Had a really nice time, it is the off season so not all exhibits were open. We enjoyed ourselves!

Samuel Waggoner

We had a great day weather-wise, not too hot, so we took advantage of what the zoo and surrounding area had to offer. It's always fun to see the animals. We viewed the giraffes, penguins, rhinos (and saw a new baby as well). We did not get to see the lions, apparently, their habitat is being totally redone/updated so they were away at another zoo. Aside from the animals, it's always fun to do some people watching, and there are great views of the city as well. Our daughter took us on the wooden walkway, I think it lined art of a pond or lagoon, but on the bridge you can stop and see the city scape and get some great pictures as well.

Christine Jimenez

I love that the zoo is by the lake. It's Beautiful! The children's zoo is so cute. And parking is free.

Kris Stoner

For a free zoo this place is excellent. Decent variety of animals and staff are friendly too. If you find my review helpful, please click like

Joel Ortiz

Great place to walk around. Their holiday events are the bomb, whether it be the Halloween night events or their Christmas lights. The best thing about it is, its free! The only drawback is that many times you don't get to see a lot of animals.

Jason Stack

For a free zoo it far exceeded expectations of me and my family. Will definitely visit again. Only complaint was they close there exhibit building an hour before the park actually closes.

Debra Wiedemann

We were told the "other" zoo in Chicago was the better choice ... We chose this one and GLAD that we did! Being from out-of-town, this zoo was even bigger than our local zoo at home AND it was free to visit! So many animals, so much to do. We did not get to spend as much time here as we wanted as we had a hard time with transit, but I think we saw most of the exhibits!

Michael Bird

Well maintained zoo that just takes donations. There is free parking on the road, but there are not usually any spots available. This is a really nice place for kids. Some people had scooters and balance bikes for younger children, which is a great idea because this place is massive.

Ariel Lopez

What could be better than a Free Zoo?! I love it, my son loves it. It's always clean, you can take in your own water and snacks. One of the Best places to visit in Chicago.

Chelsey S

If you are going to support a zoo, this is a good one! Well maintained, very walkable. The bird room is especially cool!

Katy Benedict

I understand that it’s free but the whole place is not kept well. Not only surroundings but also exhibits. During the day of our visit, my daughter noticed most animals were gone. Not a bad place to go just to kill some time during the summer. Just keep your expectations low.

Jessica Rasmussen

This zoo was the perfect Sunday afternoon stroll. Got to see them feed the penguins, which was fun :) It had a relaxing atmosphere and felt like they take care of the animals. Especially loved the children play area.

SK141212

Compact area so easy to do with children, free entry, parking is charged about 10$per hour, animals are close up and easy to view. Great with small children.

Brad Kublin

It's FREE, incredible value! Great selection of animals and easy enough to navigate. Beautiful gardens and it would be a great area for a run!

Matthew Maloney

Excellent zoo. Entry fee is free and lots of animals and nature to enjoy. I highly recommend for children. Lots of scenery, the river, animals. One downfall, is its located near a highway which you can hear the traffic sometimes.

Debbie Savaiano

The landscaping is gorgeous. Beautiful, colorful, rich, dense. We saw polar bears, giraffe, zebras, monkeys, seals. There was much more to see. So great to have this free zoo in Chicago. Of course donations are always accepted. Saw the seal show. Cute! Oh! Also saw some red fox. Wow, I did see alot even though I missed more than half the zoo.

Adam M

Great place that is free and offers a beautiful open to the public zoo filled with everything from polar bears to endangered birds. Everything is free. Excluding when you need water or food. Water starts at $4 whether it be from one of the small food “restaurants” soda fountain, bottled or soda machine $4-$4.75 minimum. However, for everything they have to offer, the wonderful, friendly and intelligent staff that work hard to inform the mass amounts of people visiting everyday, along with upkeep and keeping zoo very clean. High pricing for free beautiful getaway right in Lincoln park justifies the prices.

Michael Sinensky

What an amazing zoo. And it's free (we donated $ at the end because of how awesome it was). Highly recommend for children of all ages - even a stroll with friends or a significant other. We only saw half in about 90 minutes. So much more to see. Need 3 hours at least to see everything. The greenery, plant life, animals, friendly staff, great food and snack options, gift shops, rides and kid's attractions were all perfect. We will definitely be back. I need a nap :)

Parissa Amnes

This is a great free Chicago activity when the weather is nice in the city! If you can find street parking in the nearby neighborhoods or if you can walk there, this is a great place to bring kids or out of town guests. Our favorite exhibits are the small mammal house, there is an adorable sloth who is always fun to look for (it always seems to be hiding) in the second part of the house, and the snow monkeys who always seem to be out. If you walk out of the zoo, just south of Cafe Brauer is a great bridge that has the best/my favorite view of the city.

Dadrien Duran

Zoo lights is full of adolescent whimsy. Fanciful, romantic cool stroll with a loved one. Live ice carvings. Bridges to casually cross. The option to visit indoor exhibits for a break from the weather. Holding your hot chocolate to warm your face and hands. Every visit reminds me of why I love Chicago and donate to keep the experience alive for our community.

Cary Galanis

Great atmosphere, beautiful grounds, amazing location near the lake. Great time for families, dates, or just spending the day downtown.

David Muller

What a great free public zoo. Many on the animals weren't out, but the gorillas and monkeyd were entertainment enough! And what a fantastic conservatory with exotic plants. Was pleasantly suprised and will visit again.

Charlie Gutierrez

I'm impressed with how the zoo has grown and how beautiful it is. Last time I was there, maybe 20 animals in the entire zoo. My girls and girlfriend came out for the first time. They had a good time. Only downside was the parking fee. I guess it has been a very long time since I have been here. Great place to spend the day.

Mariko Hayashi

Very pretty zoo with nice facilities, and good variety of smaller animals. No elephants, but a good collection of not exotic species you don't necessary find at other zoos. I really enjoy the bird house :)

Emma Williams

My experience was amazing, I came with my father and my baby sister. We had such a great time. I recommend going! The only issue is parking. It took almost 30 minutes to find parking. LOL!! Other than that its amazing.

Benjamin Lawyer

This place is good for a small free zoo. You get what you pay for, but don't miss out on something both fun and educational, and free. The grounds are beautiful and there are enough animals to enjoy. They Lions and tigers were missing, but the rest was pretty good.

Holly Mosher

The best part is that it's free! But, it's also a really clean, spacious and nicely shaded zoo. Great variety of animals, but both times I've been there some of the animals are not available. The gorillas and chimps are fun, kangaroos are cool and the red wolf is a special sight!

Heather Cowie

What a brilliant zoo. Lots of interesting animals and great staff who spent time to talk about animals. Heather in the gorilla enclosure gave a great talk and the chimpanzees/gorillas were great fun. Really lovely zoo and it was free which was a great bonus. Really enjoyed our afternoon.

Naomi Claire

Cute free and lots of stuff to do. A lot of kids which sucked for me but good of you have kids I guess.also more bees than giraffes

Jeff Kupec

Specially great zoo. They need to get elephants back at the zoo. Also need bigger buildings for more space for the animals, like the ape house. Love the fact that it's still free to get in and hope it stays that way forever.

Jill Andersen

If you are going to Chicago I would definitely recommend going here. The Zoo was beautiful. Great place to walk around and there are a lot of different animals to see. For being a free zoo i was really impressed. The next time i go to Chicago i will be making another trip to the zoo.

Daniel Bartlett

Great. The bathrooms are vast and clean. No animals though - which is disappointing. Double-ply toilet paper really rounds off the experience. 4/5 stars, would come back for the latrines.

Reema Gandhi

Although Lincoln Park Zoo is virtually free to visit, you have to pay for parking and other exhibits inside the zoo. Starting from Naperville, it took us about an hour to arrive! We parked at Belden Center and walked a few steps to the zoo. My family and I had been to multiple Zoos in the past, however, surprisingly, in here we got to see a giant yet playful Gorilla Tribe, a Polar Bear and unusual species of birds which was plenty to perk up our day. Besides, Nature Boardwalk, Safari Train, Face Painting, a Carousel, a Souvenir Shop fulfills the purpose of the visit. The food here is good—multiple food joints to choose from. Lincoln park zoo is accessible to a larger extent including the Gift Shop and the Lionel Train. #Zoo #Chicago

Jazmin Rivera

I love going to Lincoln Park Zoo whenever I can. The staff is super friendly and very attentive. The park is so big that even when it's crowded it doesn't 'feel' crowded; there may be a bit of congestion with field trips, but it isn't anything to worry about. If you aren't local or using public transportation, finding free parking may be a bit difficult. There is a paid parking lot down the block which isn't too terrible considering admission to the LP Zoo is free (so glad they extended it to 2050!)

Emily Lindberg

This free zoo is a beautiful gift from the Chicago area. My husband and I were blown away with the beauty of the zoo, and how many amazing animal exhibits there are. We will be back, and have already recommended this to family and friends!

Robert Arciola

This is a Chicago staple! Must visit and take the children. Parking is not free on the lagoon side, but it is in the neighborhood where you are free to walk. There are no entry fees! Food pricing is what you'd expect in any zoo. Bring in a cooler on a wagon or rent one onsite. I grew up a few blocks away and know this place inside out. You won't be disappointed as everything is close by, to save your energy on the children! It's not the largest zoo, but it's free and in the heart of the city. Try to avoid weekends when everyone seems to go and lines are longer.

M. V.

Strongly Recommended: Although it is not as big as St Louis or San Diego zoo, it is a really good one. The zoo is located in the city in a very good and safe neighborhood. Very nice place to bring the kids, although adults will also enjoy visiting this place! They have zoo lights during the Christmas time and also adults night which you can come, drink and enjoy spending time there.

Rochelle Moore

Prior to my visit, my daughter told me the lack of animals they now have. But I decided to take my granddaughter to this zoo anyway. She said she had a good time, but as my daughter said only a handful of animals were out, even at the petty zoo. It was a huge disappointment. When my kids were younger I took them all the time, seeing all the beautiful tigers, lions, elephants, etc was a great site to see. Now where all these beautiful animals were housed are now restaurants and cafes. It was more places to eat than anything. So no I will not be returning.

Oksana Billington

Great zoo! Can't beat the price! It's free. Donations are welcomed. It was hot so many animals were hiding. Still plenty to see and explore. Absolutely loved it!

Karissa Lemire

It's FREE!!!! I have teenage girls and we traveled from Michigan to visit this zoo. It was well worth the trip. The girls had so much fun taking pictures of animals, plants, and more! Loved the gorilla exhibit area as well! Nice up close and personal viewing of magnificent animals who all seemed to be happy and healthy as well. Highly recommend.

Melissa Perez

I loved this place. Very nice and clean. The animals look like they're well welln care of

Badriraman Balasubramanian

Very nice zoo. Free entry and great setup of animal enclosures. Need 4-5 hours to cover the zoo. Lots to walk and cover. Take strollers when traveling with kids. Loved it.

Marco Rosado

Love this zoo ever since I was a kid. It's free admission, although the food and parking seems to cover the free entrance due to how expensive it is. I highly recommend this place as a family fun time or even a date. Take a taxi/uber, bring sunscreen lotion, snacks and drinks and plan to take a few hours to enjoy this place. If you're a tourist, this zoo should be on your bucket list. Enjoy!!

Gregory Rosic

Great zoo, at a price you can't beat! I have come here several times over 25 years and the zoo and neighborhood only get nicer and nicer. The gorillas of course are the main event and it's hard to get close to get a view. My 3 yo was more interested in the small animals and children's area. If you come early you can beat the crowds. Zoo lights in the winter is also a lot of fun as long as it's not windy!

Paul Malinka

Parking can be expensive and some of the animals were not out. Other than that the Zoo itself is nice with lots of surrounding greenery. Admission is free. Easy walk to see most everything. And close proximity to downtown Chicago.

Prescilla Manriquez

October festival is the best time to go! My kids, nephew & neice loved all the carnival rides.

Matt Kubinski

A wonderful zoo in the heart of a great city. Fantastic creatures and knowledgeable zookeepers at every turn. Food prices are a little steep, but you know... It's somewhat expected, and they're not the worst I've seen. Bring the whole family and plan an entire day.

Jim Hart

Beautiful park-like setting with a great array of animals in natural settings. Free to get in, but parking is crazy expensive ($30 for less than 4 hours), but that's the case across Chicago. Was hot the day we went and many of the animals retreated to their inside space.

Michelle Marshall

My family and I decided to go to this zoo because there is no entrance fee! You do have to pay for parking but it is worth it. The zoo is delightful and full of animals. All the exhibits are nicely made and it is great for people who have a hard time walking. The staff were very friendly when I spoke to them. The cat house was my favorite. It is a great place to visit in Chicago.

Ken Y

Really nice zoo for being free! One thing that I didn't like was the advertised 5D sub experience. It was 2d on a hydraulic platform so nothing 5D about it. Big let down. Many of the animals were not present for whatever reason. The seagulls were out of control.... Some were aggressive enough to come closer to attacking visitors, and one even attacked a sparrow and ate him whole. Swallowed him down headfirst. That wasn't on the list of attractions....

Bethany Malinka

Beautiful, historic zoo! The monkeys were a hoot.

Tyler Do

Zoo was quite small. All the cats were put away for construction. We couldn't see the polar bear either. The Gorillas were the best, there are many of them and they were all very big, definitely the highlight of the experience.

Wendy Huang

It's a free zoo. I do admit some animals are exhibiting strange behavior when they just place around the whole time like the polar bear. It seemed like a small space. The ostrich was cool. We went during feeding time so it was interesting seeing birds eating mice. A couple of the staff would talk to us about the animals like the hippo.

Noemi GR

The place itself it’s very well kept and clean, but the most important thing in a zoo are it’s animals, to be honest I think that the space that each specie was given to live in, was very reduced and no entirely appropriate. Some monkeys didn’t even had an open space to enjoy, it was all paintings and fake plants behind a glass, with just a window. Gorillas, Lizards and Lions (which thankfully their exhibition area is being renovated) among others, also live with this tightness struggle. I know this animals are probably very well fed and treated, but they are used and meant to live in the wilderness, so I think there is more to it than just keeping them okay. Zoos have to give animals the chance to live in an area which allows them to feel as close as posible to their natural habitat, in order for them to feel as free and comfortable as possible. I thank the zoo staff for the work they put into keeping the animals healthy, but in my opinion the facilities are not good enough for the animals themselves.

Alexis Vabre

Beautiful place to spend a Sunday. Seeing the gorillas was an experience and bless this place for being open to the public for free. Expect to navigate crowds and little ones, but it's not so busy as to spoil the experience.

Cristine Chen

I'm so impressed with how there is this natural oasis in the middle of the city. Beautiful flowers during the summer. Signs were very clear as well. Great place to take a photo of the city.

Katie Devine

I was surprised how nice this free zoo was! They have a large variety of animals all in beautiful enclosures. There are indoor and outside viewing areas for most of the animals so everyone is comfortable. They also have a few of rides like a carousel and a Ferris wheel. There were multiple places to eat but you can also bring in your own food. We had a brownie and an apple cider from one of the stands but there was definitely a large variety at the cafes.

Cinda Rutter

I've never been to a free zoo before but that's what this is! The enclosures are nice and large and the animals looked so happy. The flora really made this zoo a beautiful place to visit. We stood and watched the polar bears play for quite awhile. They were so happy to be swimming around and playing with the barrels!! I would suggest visiting this zoo to anyone visiting Chicago. It really was a beautiful place and the animals seemed very well taken care of!

Carolina Carpio

Very spacious and clean! I feel that for a free zoo there is alot to see. Please donate to help the conservation efforts and betterment of the zoo :)

Jessica Pfund

Incredibly nice zoo, particularly given that it's free. They have several nice exhibits and a new baby rhino. Paid parking but was able to find free parking on the street.

Danielle Stone

Not enough animals outside except Giraffes and zebras. Also, many of the animals appear to be heavily sedated especially the primates. You barely get any movement out of the adults but the babies put on a nice show. Was also sad to see that the lion house no longer exists just some 5D simulated ride that has nothing to do with lions. Anyway, still enjoyed myself! It's free, plus it's a great way to enjoy a beautiful afternoon! Thank you!!

SYDRELL CALAHAN

I had not been to Lincoln Park Zoo since I was a kid on a family trip. I highly recommend people to take a family outing to one of the oldest zoos in North America and I recently heard it will remain free through 2050. The zoo staff is very courteous and friendly, the zoo is well maintained and animals look healthy and happy.

Alex Janakis

It's free and was well worth the time my favorite part was the monkeys. Very clean and and maintained place and right next to the lake

Pam L

This zoo is fantastic! First timer and enjoyed it so much! Plenty of room to walk around, the enclosures were well kept up and there is plenty of shade for hot days. Definitely worth a visit considering it's free, just be prepared to pay the price of admission for parking!

Rebecca Danae Cortés

I last visited the weekend of the Air and Water Show and got to see some pilots rehearsing. The zoo was great, as always, but I felt bad for some of the animals that seemed alarmed by the planes! The zoo is wonderful and I appreciate the volunteers that share additional information with visitors about some of the animals. It’s great to have the opportunity to visit year round for free so I bring people with me as often as I can.

Lisa Montgomery

I will be there to see the new Giraffe named Rae real son and the entire Lincoln Zoo. I can't wait! I love animals

Shannon Fish

One of my favorite Chicago attractions. I love coming here throughout the year - Zoo Lights are my absolute favorite. Highly recommend if you are visiting during the Winter Holidays!

Qeren hap-puwk Yisra'el

It was a nice day at the zoo. The staff, for the most part, were friendly and helpful. The day we went, they were setting up for a special event. So, the Zoo closed early that day. Also, a lot of the vendors were in different spots because of the special arrangements for the event. Some staff gave me directions to particular vendors who were no longer located in their original spot. There were no big cats. That was disappointing. But, I understand the exhibit is being worked on.

Emma Bunker

It's really incredible that this place is a free zoo! We really loved the monkey and ape exhibits, which were indoor. Because it was raining, though, it seemed that most of the animals (which were in outdoor enclosures) were not out, which was a little disappointing. We'll definitely be going again, hopefully with nicer weather.

Christopher Telisak

Went on a cold late October afternoon and this place was still an amazing family attraction. I've heard about this place since I was a kid in Wisconsin and it was great to finally get to see it! Would definitely come back!

Andreea Zakir

It was our 1st time at Lincoln Zoo and we had a great experience, it was a beautiful fall day, they had fall fest going on. The kids loved the train ride. We will definitely go back

Scott Williams

One of the best free zoos in the Midwest. The conservatory next door is great. The surounding neighborhood is great with lots of good eats and places to visit nearby.

Olga Mago

My favorite place to go is Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo. First of all it’s free! A lot of things to see! A lion, yes they have it! Also funny monkeys, great apps, flamingos, reptiles, and much more!

Carla W

We had an amazing time at the zoo! I just can't believe they don't have a cover charge. It's totally worth donating to the Lincoln Park Zoo so they can continue caring for these precious animals while providing a wonderful time for families at no charge.

Elida Solis

Always a blast coming here when it's not crazy crowded (which you should expect all for all Christmas lights). But given that Chicago hardly has any free spaces anymore it's just such a treat that they continue to offer it for free. I love just taking a walk here and they have more animals than you might think.

juan guillen

Fun, free, and local. Next to the conservatory, beach, and the Lincoln park farm. So much to do and see in one area. You'll have a great time.

Candace Taylor

This is one of the most amazing zoo I have ever been too and I am well traveled. My son really enjoyed everything and cried so much because he did not want to leave.

Pace Holdbrooks

Wonderful zoo, especially considering the free admission. Beautiful exhibits and habitats and the animals seem very content. Gorilla house is a highlight. Personally loved watching the red wolves in the children's zoo area (free to public as well!!!). Also a great place to kill time while on business.

Jenny D

Really enjoyable. Not crowded. Not all animals would come out but the ones that did seemed well kept and happy.

Kyle Dettman

Amazing for a free zoo. A lot of animals, exhibits, and educational programming. There's also a fall festival going in right now to add to the fun. Nearby a great conservatory and public transit.

Kevin Adventures

Make some time to enjoy this treasure. This park is free. yes its free. Now you might have to pay to park,but this is all free. Perfect place and $26.00 at the conservatory. The upkeep is very well,clean and peaceful environment. The gorillas where are our favorite ,but many great indoor and outdoor exhibits. The zoo was founded in 1868, when the Lincoln Park Commissioners were given a gift of two pairs of swans by Central Park's Board of Commissioners in New York City. Other animals were soon donated to the park, including, a puma, two elk, three wolves, four eagles, and eight peacock. In 1874, a bear cub from the Philadelphia Zoo was the first animal purchased by the zoo. The bear became quite adept at escaping from its home and could frequently be found roaming Lincoln Park at night. In 1884, reportedly the first American bison born in captivity was born at the Lincoln Park Zoo.