This 49 Acre Zoo Lets You Explore For Free
Meet animal residents between the park and the lake, where staff turn a walk through the grounds into active learning.
🌿 Wildlife And Active Learning
Lincoln Park Zoo spreads across 49 acres between the park and the lake, a wildlife sanctuary woven into Chicago. You can step inside with free admission for the public, whether the plan involves children or an afternoon on your own. It is one of the oldest zoos in North America, with a focus that reaches beyond watching animals from the edge of an enclosure.
Local plant life and rocks are integrated around the habitats, giving the grounds an immersive character. Pause around the habitats and look out for staff, who are frequently stationed around the zoo to share information about the residents. Those conversations bring active learning into the walk.
Behind the public grounds sits a privately managed, member supported operation dedicated to animal welfare and conservation science. Gates open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM, with buildings opening at 10 AM.
