Reviews of Lincoln Park Zoo (Zoo)

Carl Utecht

Well kept small zoo. You can take your time to enjoy each exhibit

Jason Hall

Excellent little zoo! Not a ton of animals, but they have some good ones. Wasn't very busy the day we went so not much crowd. You could get pretty close to most animals. It is a free zoo who only asks for donations, so check it out and donate!

Stephen Miller

There are reviews for the zoo; but I haven't seen one for Lincoln Park. Lincoln Park is currently the largest park in the city. I remember using this park for a Boy Scout Jamboree. It consists of 101.75 acres, of which 69.79 acres is active parkland and 31.96 acres is conservancy parkland. It features a ball diamond, tennis courts, both facilities are well maintained. There are also nature trails and wildlife areas, off-street parking and the Lincoln Park Zoo. There is a small playground; and two or three (I'm spacing here) cabins that are nice buildings and available for rent. The Little Manitowoc River runs along the east side of the park. I saw about a 100 dunlins (cute little guys) last spring. A little up river from the park, I've seen some pretty impressive snapping turtles. I was there yesterday and saw least terns working the river. To summarize you can see some cool birds and animals here. The zoo is well kept. I've volunteered there. But these types of zoos always bring me down. Animals in cages are just not my favorite thing. But for people who like their nature safe and contained, I guess this zoo serves its purpose.

Fox Ravencroft

For a free attraction, it was great! We walked around and looked at some animals, but sadly a few were off display, like the bald eagle, but all in all we had a great time and we'll stop by again if we are in the area.

Jamie Hill

Loved it.

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!

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!

Penny Lutterman

Went there for 4k graduation and good to see and learn about all of small reptiles

al helland

Not many animals and only ask for donations to help park for animals

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.

Sarah Throndsen

Small cages, animals look well taken care of and have things in their cages for entertainment. They zoo overall is pretty clean. It's free and fun for smaller kids.

Frank Daly

Free zoo, but always a great place to go.

Chris Blaine

New exhibits and better layout.

Joe Radosevich

This is a great little zoo. You can spend 1.5-2 hours here and have a great time with young kids. The signs and displays were really good. The animals were active and the playground was a fun place to stop. The rest of the park has great picnic locations.

Jeremy s

Very small but I love that your up close to the animals..

Desiree Williams

Wonderful little Zoo fantastic because it's free good place to picnic

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!

Exo Arctic

Wow what a keen selection of goats. Stupendous

Chad Cothern

Nice park to bring the children. Free admission but donations are welcomed.

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.

Kama Shultz

Greatbliyyle zoo.

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.

Tierza Flock

Could have more animals

Joe Kunesh

Small but worth the time with kids.

Alex Minten

There are animals

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.

Dustin Long

Great spot for kids of all ages well maintained Zoo plan to spend about an hour here

John Annis

Fun place

Ben Gerold

Good little zoo

Kurt Rowland

Not a lot of animals, but it's free. Can't beat that. Cute place.

Daniel Platt

Ok

Tamara Hartlich

Small but nice for kids.

ROGER V L

Great place to take the family.

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.

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.

Mr Rottman

This is an excellent place to visit. The place is always kept up and they do well with their animals, most, it seems, are rescue victims. It is a nice place to have some quiet, down time. I will always recommend this place to people. Please donate when you go.

Christina Lueptow

Fun place to bring the kids! Great park. Love watching the river otters!

George James

Very nice free park. Love taking the kids there. Lots of pokestops ;)

Mark Gregory

Fun time. Fun place

Michael Sanders

Nice little local zoo.

Erik Albaugh

Great little zoo and you beat the price. 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.

Adam Vertz

Great zoo! Sign says they close at 3 :00 winter hours but sometimes close earlier than that. So if you go. Go before 2:00.

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.

Mandi B

Please donate when you visit.

Shoua Vang

I love coming here! An opprotunity for children to learn.

Amon

Nice public zoo. Great for kids. Not adults really. Cant expect much from a public zoo. Recommendations: Sure. For the little ones. They would love it.

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.

Debby Bjarnarson

Beautiful place

Savannah Heinzen

I loved willow and sid cuddling

Alisa Satian

The kids really enjoyed the zoo and all the animals! It is a "free" zoo, but recommend leaving a donation :)

LAURA LEVENDOSKI

A very enjoyable place

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.

Ben Enright

Free fun with the kiddos who love the barn of course. Donations are appreciated.

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.

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!

Mike V

Pretty cool zoo. Saw a wolf, cougars, a bear, and some birds. Had to leave because it was raining but seemed sweet. Probably stop by again next time I'm headed to Green Bay.

Clinton Wight

Nice small zoo, can walk in about an hour. They just ask for donations. There's a playground for kids as well.

Doug Maser

This is a simple and fun zoo. It’s free people and what they have to offer is really nice. Perfect scenery for this setting. Lots to do here with tennis and baseball fields! Fun to bike through too.

Sharon Dull

^ good place for your family and friends and lots of fun time with your family and friends picnic. In the park Be for the summer months ends Get out with your family and friends.

Alyson Bushman

Great place to take kids who are not ready for a large zoo with lots of walking. I wish there were more animals or animals that are more easily seen in the pens.

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.

Ashley

Rented out a cottage for a birthday party and this place was absolutely perfect. Had everything we possibly needed and was very clean and well cared for.

Thomas Guitzkow

Very nice smaller zoo. Perfect size for younger kids with a decent amount of interesting exhibits and animals. The staff I encountered were all friendly.

Heather Wood

Small zoo but donation based. The animals appear healthy. Much cheaper and better than the zoo where I am from.

Steven LaFaver

Great place

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..

Eric Hoffmann

Nice little zoo

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!

Sam the wiser

It's free and pretty cool

Teresa Seelig

The animals looked sad, and not well taken care of. Some of them had GAPING open wounds!!!!!!

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!

Anna Primus

Fun time with friends

D Burm

They said there was 200 animals there. I didn't see 200 animals.

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!

Lady E

Nice but small zoo. Would be better in warmer weather. Winter there is not much out or open. But for a free zoo it was nice

Holly Waterman

A wonderful communitiy free zoo. The staff r very helpful and answered all the kids' questions. The bald eagle was a highlight as well as the black bear. The enclosures were very big and well kept, only takes about 40 min to go thru

Norma Badeaux

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

Jen Miller

It's free, fun family experience!

Maria Peña

(Translated by Google) This place is very beautiful (Original) Esta muy bonito este lugar

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.

Linda Gehres

Animals were not well taken care of. Mostly only one in a cage which makes for a lonely life. Poor bald eagle didn't have room to fly and looked depressed. The wolf was pacing and not even another wolf in the pen. No staff around. Pens smelled bad. Felt sorry for the animals.

Scott Lannoye

Very nice zoo and it's free, make sure you leave a donation in the box to help with costs .

Angela Williams

Great little local zoo

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.

Jaydin Goff

Free, neat place!!!

Darci Matzke

Fun place to walk and visit!

Kayla Lyon

Love the Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo In My Hometown....

Cassandra Rinehart

Love this zoo that is based off donations. Free and lots of fun for the little ones. We spend time here often walking around several laps.

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.

Tucy Etkurtz

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!

Hannah Hietpas

Lincoln Park Zoo is free but accepts donations which they truly deserve, the animals look well taken care of, and a great place for young kids.

Nanette Osmer

Great zoo

Kristin Waukau

So much better than what I grew up with

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!!!

Chad Paffel

Great little zoo for the family!

Brian

It's a nice little zoo...

Matthew Bauman

Small zoo nestled in Lincoln Park has free admission (donations help keep the zoo operating). Zoo has a wide variety of animals including a petting barn and play area for kids. Concession stand is open in the summer months. Its a great place to take the kids to see the animals without having to drive to Green Bay or Milwaukee, and its a cheaper alternative too.

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.

Heather Curtis

Not a lot of animals. Granted it's free, but a lot of animals were not out. Very small. It was ok.

Jake Wolfe

The animals looked how I felt in my last relationship.

Tina C

Liked the exhibits...but sad prairie dogs were not out

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!

Matt Arndt

Best zoo ever, snow Leopard

Phillip Ching

We came here for Zoo Lights and it was a terrific time.

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.

keenan johnson

Pretty cool place, pretty small but still a decent number of animals to look at. Also has some playground areas for the kids. Nice way to spend an afternoon with the family!

L A Thomas

I had only been to Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo in the winter months... It's heaven if you love nature, plants, water, small forest like paths.... I know I do and it was AMAZING! I can't wait to bring a group!!!! Lots of scenic areas to enjoy your hand packed lunch! Just make a donation! I did not see a suggestion for amount, but as with wait staff, be generous! It's the only way they can keep going! Have fun!

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.

Laurie Dennis

Wonderful for free or small donation.

Christine Hanson

Always a great time, park, cabins and zoo. Confirmation party with family and friends, cabins are awesome

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.

Robert Ml

Its really good place to walk and take the kids

Katie Spurgeon

Nice small zoo. Great place to take a walk.

Kris Torgerson

Loved it...not many people and great animals and park for the kids

Allen Bolinger

Decent zoo for it's size. Hills make for a nice workout as you tour the exhibits.

Victoria Reeves

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

Lynn Paton

My Grandson loved it,kind of early in the season,not all exhibits open,fun playground and interesting animals,we will be back

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.

Elizabeth Rank

Went there last summer and had the time of my life!!!!

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

Moriah Piedot

Loved this zoo kids had a blast!

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.

Susan Scott

Feel bad for the animals

Cassandra Mae Lanich

Love this place for my kids been going since I was a child.

Scott Orheim

A beautiful park and terrific zoo.

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!

Chola Rodriguez

Been going since I was kid

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.

Jesse McFarlane

For a small city, free zoo this is a great way to spend a couple hours with young kids. Don't miss the barn and jungle gym -- follow the pathway along the river.

Stefanie Pantzlaff

It frustrates me how many people prioritize that the zoo is "free" The zoo does not have a set admission to get in, but the zoo costs money to operate and NEEDS donations in order to continue moving forward and providing for the animals. Not donating means you think you deserve the entertainment but the staff and animals don't deserve the support.

Tina Alexander

Bit cold out luckily animals were outside

Natalie Nunez

Nice place for family!

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.

Shawn Reed

This is a cute little zoo.

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!

J M

Absolutely the best zoo in Manitowoc

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.

Karen Sartler

It a very sad little area with very sad looking animals. It's always hard to judge the right intentions of good people, however the animals need bigger space or don't keep them.

Melissa Elaroua

Saw many different kinds of birds and monkeys I haven't seen before. It's very good and for free all year round!

Sanders Moua

Eh same animals kinda boring :_

JENNIFER

Not many animals

Alan Talbert

Kid friendly!!

Matthew Kleckner

Nice zoo.

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!

Jackie Meyer

Small zoo, but very well maintained, nice enclosures.

Cindy Ayotte

Not many animals left

William Schaeffer

Great little zoo! Not a very large zoo, but a really fun walkthrough!

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.

Olivia Fugate

The Manitowoc Lincoln Park Zoo was such a sweet surprise! Searching for things to do in this town, the zoo is a MUST. From the bear to the tortoise, this free zoo is a great time and we were blown away by the amount and range of animals it contained for 1) being within the city and 2) BEING FREE! Again, would recommend to everyone and will definitely be visiting again soon

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.

Steve Steffen

I love coming here every year!

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.

michael smet

Very nice Zoo. Saw all the animals. Free to get in.

J F

Adorable little zoo! Free! Clean!

Melissa Kimbro

Very nice and clean. The animals are very cute and loved.

Staci Free Rodriguez

A nice place to see some barn animals.

Linda Pedersen

Not very good. Animals did not look taken care of.

Amanda Gliniecki

This is a nice zoo that's family friendly and free to get in. It's a smaller zoo so there aren't as many animals.

Kurt Peeters

Pleasantly surprised. Great zoo, especially for kids. Free admission. They have a spot for donations, which they deserve.

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.

Joe wolf

This place rocks

Aaron Ehle

Please go and support this great little "donation only" zoo. Lots of great animals and very close access to them.

David Dahlke

Very nice zoo.

Ginger Zenczak

Nice family walk.

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.

Dave

Nice zoo, free to go in when open.

Kris R

Great small zoo. You don't have to look to hard to see all the animals.

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!)

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.

Edward Vu

Nice place

Cory Meemken

Free. Donations Excepted. Great place to take the kids.

Derek Schenk

Ok zoo for kids.

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.

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.

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!

Ken D

Cool little zoo and its free.

Josh Haese

Great place to take your kids

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.

Jason Soper

We had a great time there, and you can't beat the price. (Free)

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.

Brittany Seibert

Absolutely love this zoo. So much to see and do, and it’s FREE! The monkey exhibit is great. Definitely recommend stopping by if you’re in the Windy City.

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.

Chris Franzen

Awesome little zoo.. animals are well taken care of

Mrs C.

Great place for young kids! Free zoo but donations are suggeated. Go in the early morning for a peaceful walk and you will mostly have the zoo to yourselves. Plan to spend 1-2 hours here so not an all day activity. Small zoo but fun! They have wolves, buffalos, bald eagle, baby black bear, leopard, fish, bunnies, goats, sheep, pigs, prairie dogs, a pregnant cow, birds (turkey, geese, ducks, goose, etc), turtles, tour inside a working bee hive, and a snake. You can't feed or pet any animals. Several nice playgrounds on the property plus picnic tables. From what I could tell they might serve concessions but that wasn't open for our visit. Animals seemed well taken care of. Flush toilets are located inside the pavilion when you first enter the park. Also saw some literature on a Christmas light show they offer. I might be back to check that out!

Andy Hazeu

Great place for the kid to run around and see animals and great play ground

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.

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.

WI stm

Manitowoc isn't the biggest city out there, this zoo is great for being free and in a smaller city! They recently improved the big cat exhibits. :) Great place!

John Thibodeau

Nice place

Kristy Guill

Okay...not quite what we expected.

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!

Rob Lorenz

Cheap donation to enter, kids always have fun, nice park for the kids to play at as well.

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!!

Ann Blasczyk

Many of the animals were not available for viewing.

Steven Kittell

Nice zoo and it's free

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!

Evan Bibbee

Wonderful little city zoo that only asks for donations. Great natural setting!

Arya Aethyr

Love this zoo! So peaceful!!

Remo Williams

Pretty nice zoo for being small price of no price at all.

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.

Jenny Sobczak

Yes its free.. Alot of the animals i could see at a farm. And some were not looking to healthy. Nice place very beautiful wooded park.

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

Eric Webster

Nice zoo for just working off donations.

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!

Sara Hoffmann

Nice little zoo, still free but takes donations, mostly native animals to the area

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.

Tracy Allen

Loved the variety of animals they had and the information they shared about then all!

Casey Fisher

Excellent place for a small party.

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.

Bitty's Realm

Excellent free public zoo for all ages.

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.

Gerardo Duran Frias

It was nice place to visit I enjoyed myself

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.

kshort

Quick fun place

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.

Chris Williams

Awesome little zoo and a beautiful area! Definitely worth checking out.

Jenny D

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

Bruno Niwa

Beau petit zoo, sympathique et agréable pour passer une après midi,

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.

Kristin Sexton

Cute zoo. Always loved it as a kid. My kids love it too. Perfect size for them