Getting Up Close to the Animals at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. It’s also the nation’s largest free zoo and is home to over 1200 animals from more than 230 species. Animals living at the zoo include camels, giraffes, hippos, lions, tigers, seals, zebras, chimps, rhinos, penguins, otters,  polar bears, and many more.

In addition to viewing the animals in their natural habitats, visitors can also learn about them through seminars and educational events like feedings, wildlife photography workshops, and conservation camps.

Admission: Free
Hours: The zoo opens at 10am every day and closes between 4:30 and 6:30, depending on the time of year. Special events and seasonal hours are listed on the zoo’s website.

Getting there: From downtown Chicago, take the 151 bus up Michigan Avenue. The bus goes through Lincoln Park and stops directly in front of the zoo entrance.  The 36 bus runs up State Street and then stops just outside the Park, on Clark Street.

Photo by Karl Heubaum