Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL Review

For those visiting Chicago (or those that live in Chicago), the Lincoln Park Zoo offers a great cultural experience for FREE!

There are a ton of positives. There are far too many positives to list. Among them-- the zoo is free. Did I mention free? It is also located right on the lake. It has an amazing collection of primates (recently redone in the last few years) as well as all the usuals- penguins, wolves, eagles, snakes, giraffes, tigers, lions, bears (oh my!) etc. The museum also has a beautiful but separate botanical building that houses a gorgeous collection of flowers and plants.

There are a limited number of negatives.You have to pay for parking because public parking is challenging. There are several lots surrounding the zoo and you can get by with paying only $10 in nearby lots. In addition, there isnt much space at the zoo, so there are limited large, expansive natural habitats.

A few tips:  The Nature Museum is just down the block. That is also worth a visit. (right now they have an amazing butterfly special exhibit!); There is a good restaurant (healthy dining), the North Pond Cafe, nearby. But, be prepared for a pricey meal. For parking, I would park near the botanical building. They always seem to have the cheapest and most available parking... especially on Saturday afternoons when the Chicago Sports and Social clubs are playing flag football and softball.