{"id":33634,"date":"2023-08-12T00:04:16","date_gmt":"2023-08-12T00:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=33634"},"modified":"2025-11-30T15:36:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T15:36:49","slug":"lincoln-park-zoo-visit-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/lincoln-park-zoo-visit-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Ultimate Guide to a Day at Lincoln Park Zoo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Of all the zoos in the world that I\u2019ve visited, the Lincoln Park Zoo ranks in my top 10 \u2014 and it\u2019s not because I live in Chicago and adore my city. The zoo has continually sought to improve its facilities and experiences for everyone over the years. It\u2019s an accessible zoo, too, so hanging out with my mom who uses a wheelchair and friends pushing strollers is easy and stress-free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019re on your last penny when you hit up Lincoln Park, you can still enjoy the zoo, park, and gardens. Entry is free for everyone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s everything you need to know to plan for your perfect day at Lincoln Park Zoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little Lincoln Park Zoo history<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Lincoln Park Zoo is the second oldest zoo in the country, dating back to 1868, just 31 years after Chicago itself was founded. In some ways, the city has the Big Apple to thank for the zoo\u2019s creation, because the larger city donated two pairs of mute swans to Chicago that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The swans were given a home in the South Pond of Lincoln Park, inspiring the city to formalize an animal collection. It took only two years for the original animal house to be built. Just 20 years after the founding of the zoo, Cyrus DeVry became the director of Lincoln Park Zoo and helped to decommercialize the transfer of animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with the lion house<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you love big cats, you\u2019re going to love the lion house at Lincoln Park Zoo. This amazing habitat was updated in 2021 and is even an official Chicago Landmark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The savanna-style habitat includes more space, larger enclosures, more viewing areas, and loads of technology that make life better for these big kitties. Embedded heating (a must in the cold north!) and cooling elements keep the lions regulated year-round, while the new zip-line food delivery service simulates living prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you really like these African lions, I\u2019d recommend checking them out a couple of times throughout the day, especially if you miss feeding time or come to the structure in the heat of the day when the lions are least active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local tip: <\/strong>Look for the lion cubs. There are three new rolly-polly balls of teeth and claws named Pesho, Sidai, Lomelok, who just debuted in January 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to the ape care and cognition talk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Several species of apes and monkeys live at Lincoln Park Zoo. The institution uses this opportunity to study the care and cognition of apes, using a range of technologies that safely and gently check in with apes about their lives. Specifically, they study the ways that apes communicate and innovate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can stop by for one of the talks during the day and learn about the program and the apes themselves. Talks take place daily at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get up close and personal at the Farm-in-the-Zoo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s particularly popular for families with kids, I love hitting up the Farm-in-the-Zoo, even on my solo adventures in the park. It\u2019s always fun hanging with the goats, rabbits, and ponies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special features for little kids include play-based learning stations, edible gardens, and, of course, opportunities to pet and feed the critters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t miss the seal training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Twice daily, you can enjoy seal training sessions at the Kovler Seal Pools<\/a>. Here, you\u2019ll find both gray seals and harbor seals, playing, splashing, jumping, and generally entertaining folks with their natural high spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sessions occur at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., benefiting the seals and audiences alike. The folks who give the talks explain why training helps the animals and helps you learn about the animals. Plus, it\u2019s just plain fun to watch these goofy critters have some fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out your favorite animals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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After my safari in South Africa where I learned black rhinos are almost extinct, I was super excited to see one up close at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo has been part of the critically endangered animal breeding program<\/a> for many years now and has welcomed new rhinos into the world, like Romeo, born in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rhino is always one of my favorite exhibits to visit, but it\u2019s different for everyone. Make sure you visit your favorite animals at the zoo. Here are some I recommend for your must-see list:<\/p>\n\n\n\n