Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago
One of the best ways to escape the city while visiting Chicago is to spend a day at the Lincoln Park Zoo. This great attraction features animals of all sorts, and adults and kids alike will enjoy the many exotic sights they get to see. The park is open year-round from 9am to 5pm, and there is even a free trolley service to take you out to the grounds from Chicago.

Established in 1868, the zoo has become known over the years as one of the best zoological gardens in the U.S.A. More than three million people visit the zoo every year, and generous private contributions as well as the management of the Chicago Park District ensure that the zoo continues to be a great park for everyone to enjoy, and is free of admission charges.

The park is divided into trails for easy accessibility, and each trail showcases different animals.

Website Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago

The Blue Trail is home to the Penguin and Seabird Exhibit, where these cute birds play and interact in their 18 000 gallon, temperature-controlled environment. The McCormick Bear Habitat is home to some giant white Polar Bears. These beautiful animals can be seen both above the water and below, in a newly remodeled environment. The single-panel glass that divides you from the water and polar bears is crystal-clear, making for great pictures and views as the bears swim by. One of the newest additions to the park is the Regenstein African Journey. The beautiful setting here is home to Meercats, Giraffes, Elephants, Crocodiles and much more. Large birds of prey are rarely seen up close by humans, but in the Birds of Prey Exhibit visitors are able to get near enough to make out the finely detailed feathers and assessing eyes of these winged predators, including Bald Eagles, Hooded Vultures and Grey Owls.

Moving along to the Gold Trail visitors will come across the Primate House. This newly-renovated building was originally opened in 1927. It houses Emperor Tamarins, Red-Ruffed Lemurs, Howler Monkeys and the Mandrill, which is the largest monkey in the world, weighing up to 45 pounds. Built in 1912, the Kovler Lion House is a beautiful building holding equally beauteous cats: it is home to African Lions, Siberian Tigers, Snow Leopards, Cheetahs, Jaguars and Servals. The oldest exhibit in the zoo is the Kovler Sea Lion Pool, where pudgy seals and sea lions race around the waters.

The Green Trail is where the Waterfowl lagoon is located, and a group of Flamingo's is the star attraction. The African Apes center is where Gorillas and Chimpanzees' can be seen in a natural habitat. Antelope, Zebra and Camels can also be spotted on the Green Trail.

Finally, the Red Trail is home to the Farm in the Zoo area. This John Deer sponsored exhibit allows visitors to see what its like to work on a farm. Here, they can churn butter, feed the cows, groom the goats, and check out a real bee hive.