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Location
Parking
Free parking
Visitor tip
Use the web app at go.lpzoo.org before or during your visit to access an interactive map and curated 'things to do' list, helping you navigate the zoo's 170+ species efficiently and find interactive programs like Monkey Cognition and Penguin Feeding experiences.
Visitor tip
The Main Barn provides excellent shelter from sun and rain during less-than-perfect weather days, making it a strategic rest stop for families with young children who need a break while exploring the zoo.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Admission
- Free, open 365 days a year
- Founded
- 1868 — one of the oldest zoos in North America
- Location
- Lincoln Park, lakefront Chicago
- Highlights
- 170+ species including gorillas, penguins, giraffes, and snow leopards
What visitors say
When the main barn at the Farm in the Zoo is open, it's a fun, interactive place to see farm animals and learn about caring for them with the various exhibits. It's also a place for a bit of reprieve from the sun or rain on…
Inside the barn there is a huge tractor and am pretty glad no one put a photo up on this location be cus it a mystery baby
From 5 Google reviews
Did You Know?
- The zoo houses over 170 species across its exhibits, including rare animals such as snow leopards, eastern black rhinos, and Sichuan takins
- Free admission with no reservations required, plus free parking, making it one of the most accessible major zoo experiences
- Offers interactive cognitive science programs including Monkey Cognition program, Ape Cognition & Care program, and Penguin Feeding experiences for visitor engagement
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