Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago) Reviews

It's free! I walk through here often since you can. They have a large variety of animals and I love what they do with the seasons (zoo lights, etc.)

When visiting Chicago make sure to make it to this great zoo. It is also free!

No cost of entry and a fun place for just your self or the family!

Great zoo, free, but get there early for decent parking

The first zoo I see with no animals... the whole zoo is in bad conditions..

This is a really fun time for all ages, if you re vacationing in Chicago, visit here, it s free, clean, and so fun.

Okay lemme give you guys who are new a little pro tip but just know this is strictly for bird fans only. Not many people know this but i feel like i can finally reveal it to you. Be at the bird house at 2:30pm to watch the feeding in the open flight room. Real treat you'll thank me later

Good zoo .especially it being free. Only gripe is everything is disorganized due to the remodeling of the zoo. But overall it was a good time.

Great free small zoo! For the size, you see a lot- lions, tigers, gorillas, camels and even animals you never heard of like takins or some you wouldn't think they might have like a red panda. Parking is plentiful if you are up to spending $35. There is free parking up front but make sure you get there when the doors open. The zoo is loaded in volunteers that are friendly and will tell you all they know of the animals and the zoo. Also, make sure to bring your own food and make a picnic out in the lawn. The food inside is tasty but pricey.

I love coming here with my family! Such a great place. So grateful that its free to the public. Thank you for that!

Such a great place to spend with the family on a beautiful day, wear comfortable walking shoes and weather appropriate clothing to take advantage of all the zoo has to offer, the Lions den was closed for remodeling but we're looking forward to coming back when they reopen, definitely bring your own packed food/snacks... Overall it's always a great idea to come here, on a Saturday early afternoon we were lucky enough to have found a parking spot right in front of the zoo entrance

Always a great time coming here, nice variety of animals, small enough to walk the entire zoo. Very family friendly; my baby really loved the Farm in the Zoo.

Beautiful , clean and well maintend Zoo and its FREE....!!!

FREE admission! This zoo has a very diverse collection, beautiful exhibits, and does great conservation work all over the world. A "must see" while in Chicago!

You can't get much better for a Free Zoo. The size astounded me, although for some activities during the holidays you must pay to do certain things. But for a Free admission you can see all the animals and walk their garden. Go early so you have time to see it all!

I was there for a food truck event and it was great.

Had a good time, just wish more animals were out in the exhibit. But over all very clean park.

It's really big. It needs 4 hours to see all of it. It's well organized.

We had a Nice time at the zoo but not able 2 C some of the animals.

Great walk looking the lights great place to visit and the best is free

awesome Christmas lights set up, rides a bit pricey but that is expected.

Nice zoo - just the right size for seniors Ahmad peopled with small children. We enjoyed our day.

I love animals and I have always loved zoo's. They are doing a good zoo during these virus times

The zoo is free but street parking is impossible to find and their parking can get expensive. The range of animals is kinda small, but again it's free so not a big deal. Great place to go with young kids and strollers. There's a big park attached too for picnicking afterwards.

This is a pretty great zoo, but the fact that it is free makes it way better. The exhibits are well done and get you pretty close to some amazing animals.

Awesome zoo. The animals never disappoint. Parking way too expensive now. $35.00. Who's pocket is that going in? I remember when it was $10.00 to park there all day.

Due to the pandemic, there are no animals and it's really small. Be sure to make reservations online for entry.

Parking price & time ranges are ridiculous, but it is decent inside for a free zoo.

Awesome place, still free and always clean and full of beautiful flowers. Baby rhino so cute

Awesome zoo! This is a must stop if you're visiting the Chicago area!

So much to see - our kids especially liked the ape house. Can't believe it's free!

Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the main attractions in the City of Chicago. The animals are exoctic and wild. There are plenty to see and it is child friendly. Its right off of Lake Shore Drive, and is easy to locate.

What a great place to go for a walk and watch the animals particularly at a sunny day. Go during a weekday, it will be nice and quiet. That whole area is one of my favorite in Chicago, provides a good tranquil alternative to the busy city

We go annually for the Zoo lights and it's good to see enclosures are expanding. It's an historic park that would benefit from larger spaces for the animals in it's care. It's heartening to see that focus in the zoos growth.

For a free activity in Chicago, this is great. Also lots of great views of the city. Decent amount of quality animals

Disappointing for the most part, but it is free so...The reptile house is great, one of the best I have seen in my zoo travels. The greenhouse is worth a visit. The zoo is free but parking is definately not !

The quality is nice even though it is the free zoo.

Loved this place... Only problem was , we went when it was temperature was in single digits.. bit still enjoyed it.... Entrance is free and open 24*7*365 days so really cool place. Must see if you have a kid or if you have a kid left inside of you.

Visited mid winter and it was still bustling with life, best place to spend a weekend, at the park with a twist

Great place need more free parking paid parking 26.00

IT WAS BEUTIFULL BUT VERY COLD THEY START ZOO LIGHTS EARLY NOV .

Don't know what some of these people are complaining about. If you find the concept of keeping animals caged up troubling, then I highly recommend you don't go to any zoos! And as far as the animals looking unhappy or unhealthy here, I really didn't see much evidence of that. The male lion did strike me as pretty old, but what do you want? For the zoo to "dispose" of it when it starts looking aged so they can get a younger, better-looking "model"???

With that said I thought this was actually a pretty nice zoo, especially considering it was free. Not all the animals were out, but it was pretty hot the day I went, so I really couldn't blame them. It is a pretty big zoo considering it is free. It is also a bigger and better zoo than the free zoo in Madison, WI, in contrast to another reviewer's claim. I wandered around the zoo for a few hours, thought I had seen the whole thing, and then found out I had only seen about 2/3 of it. So I ended up staying almost until they closed.

I was surprised they actually had African Wild Dogs there, unfortunately they were not out. If it had been a little cooler, like maybe 70 degrees, I bet there would have been more animals out (it was between 85 and 90 when I was there). There was also a park area and lagoon next to the zoo, which was a pleasant walk. Wasn't much to see there except for the plants, though. Didn't go to the Petting Zoo (or "Interactive Farm"), not my thing. Overall, are there better things to see and do in Chicago? Definitely yes. But this zoo is definitely cool for spending a relaxed, low-key, and low-cost few hours in the Windy City.

This is a great Zoo. The Christmas Light Show is spectacular.

It's a free zoo with animals that are clearly loved and as well taken care of as they possibly could. It's always a lot of fun when you get a chance to see the zookeepers interact with the animals. You can't go wrong visiting here unless you hate animals!

Parking is a pain though. I'd highly recommend just taking public transport or Lyft unless you want to take forever hoping parking opens up or paying exorbitant parking prices at reserved lots.

It is an awesome zoo to enjoy with your family. Handicap parking is convenient and the park is wheelchair accessible. Parking is pretty steep though makes up for no fees and helps with the park to be free.

We really love their Zoo Lights Lights Christmas display

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.

Very cool aninals and good staff only negative was many animals. Were off exhibit

Just love it great place to spend weekend whit family

Zoo Lights 2019 was amazing. Couldn't see many animals, but the lights are worth the trip.

Beautiful place. Lights are amazing. Over 2.5 million lights is not at all a joke. Well maintained.

Nice little experience, and they handled the whole covid thing nicely!

Great place for the kids. These days they are only about computers and the internet so I think it's important to show them real life and I don't know any better place in the near neighborhood than this Zoo. They were really happy here (and offline for longer than I could wish for).

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!

When I found out that this zoo was free, I didn't expect much and just thought it would be a nice walk for the afternoon on a hot day in august. However when I got there I was amazed at the size, variety and the standard of quality that the animals appear to be kept. Gorillas, Rhinos, Sea Lions, Camels, Chimpanzees, Polar Bears (which they had a fantastic educational show to enjoy) and many more. I spent almost all day walking around just enjoying the atmosphere at a very family friendly zoo which never felt over crowded . The only issue I had was the size of the enclosures some of the larger cats had, it appeared very limited which was a bit hard to watch.

The zoo is very busy most of the time, but I guess that's what happens when it's free admission. If you have time, definitely come check it out, it's well worth a visit!

Wish they had more animals at the zoo. It's still a nice place for a walk but you won't see much wild life.

Great for family outing. Parking sucks so be prepared to pay

I love the free zoo we also packed a lunch and walked across the bridge and spent the day at North Avenue beach

Usually I am not a fan of zoos because I generally don't like animals being locked up out of their habitats. For what it's worth, Lincoln Park zoo has done a decent job of replicating the habitats. It is also free to the general public and is really a great escape from the real zoo, which is the city. They have fantastic events such as the Zoo lights and concerts to boot. I do wonder how the animals like the concerts.

Adult Nights, crafts brews, and zoo lights are super fun alternative adult activities!

A wonderful zoo. Missed the Lions. They will be coming back soon!

Though not a huge fan of going to zoos, but I have been to this zoo a couple of times. While acting as a tour guide I have taken my friends to this zoo visiting Chicago.

Located in the Lincoln Park, this zoo is just a (20 mins) bus ride away from downtown. It is spread across 35 acres of land and was founded it late 1800's which makes it one of the oldest zoos in the country. The zoo is big and one needs atleast half a day to cover every part of the zoo. Like any other zoo, there are all types of animals here.The entry to this zoo is free. If one is getting by car, it is difficult to find the parking(take CTA). There is a food court inside which carries a lot of junk food.Since it is located in the Lincoln Park one can actually have a picnic after visiting the zoo, the park itself is one of my favorites spots in the city.

The monkeys look very depressed. These animals belong to nature. Keeping them in captivity is cruel, brutal, barbaric. What gives us the right to exploit other living organisms as we see fit? How would you like to spend your life locked in a cage? This is 2018. Either create a natural habitat, or close down this horrible zoo.

Relaxing and interesting place to go with your family!

During phase four, remember to make reservations online before heading there. Great activities with the kids!

Live right next to the place and love going for a morning job through it. As far as free zoo's go, this place shoots the moon!

Zoo lights! Any season great place to be to enjoy some family time

Free zoo with animals you would not expect to see for free. If you are from out of town I would suggest coming here

The light show at Lincoln Park Zoo was festive. A one hour walk was perfect timing to see everything. Wear gloves I forgot my gloves. Make reservations at lpzoo.org I got my tickets at noon on the same day that i went to the zoo.. Tickets become available when people cancel.

Never disappointed. Can't wait for new Lion house to open.

Free and fun, what more is there! Nice playground near the zoos entrance as well.

Visited recently when Christmas time with the lights . Enjoyed walking and drinking hot chocolate .