Activity Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo
An activity in Lincoln Park, free to visit and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: Midday.
Why go
Free zoo open every day of the year, with lions, gorillas and polar bears a few minutes from the lake.
It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Lincoln Park, alongside 2 places to eat, 1 place for a drink and 1 outdoor spot. 4 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights and Lincoln Park Zoo.
- Type
- Activity · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Lincoln Park
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 2 hr
- Best time
- Midday
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Lincoln Park. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights
The city's free zoo turns into a light show with millions of bulbs from late November to early January.
Activity · Chicago · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Lincoln Park Zoo
Free zoo set in a lakefront park, with conservatory and nature boardwalk nearby.
Outdoors · Chicago · 0.0 mi straight-line - 3R.J. Grunts
Burger-and-brunch spot across from the zoo, open since 1971 as the first Lettuce Entertain You restaurant.
Food · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Lincoln Park Conservatory
Free 1890s glasshouse full of palms, ferns and orchids; warm and green on a grey January day.
Sight · 0.2 mi straight-line - 5North Avenue Beach
Lakefront beach and pier on the Lakefront Trail with one of the best views back to the Gold Coast skyline.
Outdoors · 0.7 mi straight-line - 6Alinea
Grant Achatz's tasting-menu restaurant on Halsted Street, open since 2005 and a once-a-year kind of NYE dinner.
Food · 0.9 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Lincoln Park Zoo is a stop on our Chicago New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park Zoo is our only activity pick in Lincoln Park; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Lincoln Park guide.
When to go: weather by month, based on Chicago
Our climate figures for Lincoln Park come from nearby Chicago. Average daily highs in Chicago run from 32°F in January to 77°F in July; May is usually the wettest month. For Lincoln Park Zoo itself, we suggest: Midday.
Modelled monthly averages for Chicago from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Chicago weather by month (covers Lincoln Park).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Lincoln Park Zoo, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 41.92139, -87.63389
- Destination
- Lincoln Park, Illinois
- Website
- lpzoo.org
Lincoln Park Zoo: quick answers
How much time do you need at Lincoln Park Zoo?
Plan on about 2 hours at Lincoln Park Zoo. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Lincoln Park Zoo?
Our pick: Midday. Insider tip: ZooLights typically runs into the first days of January; check dates if you want the evening light show.
Is Lincoln Park Zoo free?
Yes, we list Lincoln Park Zoo as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Lincoln Park Zoo?
Lincoln Park Zoo appears on Chicago New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Lincoln Park Zoo to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Lincoln Park.
Plan Lincoln Park
- Lincoln Park travel guide 6 places
- Chicago weather (covers Lincoln Park) weather by month
Lists & regions
Also in Lincoln Park
- Kingston Mines Drinks
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.