Guide to Lincoln Park
Zoo - Chicago by
Jeffrey Sachs, Freelance Writer
Introduction
and History
Established in 1884 with the
purchase of a single bear cub, Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ) now has over 1,100
mammals, birds and insects living within 35 acres situated just north
of downtown Chicago and west
of Lake Michigan. Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the country
and puts an emphasis on the education and conservation of its animals.
With rides, major attractions and animals from all over the world,
LPZ also holds the distinction of being one of the finest
zoos you will find.
Everything from Pretzels and Beer to
Turkey Wraps and Burritos can be found at one of Lincoln Park Zoo's
many eateries. If you can't decide, stop by the Park Place Cafe and
choose among the gourmet dishes and old-fashioned favorites in a
food-court type atmosphere. If you are more interested in having a
snack, there are plenty of outdoor food stations selling all sorts of
treats, like Shaved Ice, SuperPretzels and Cotton Candy.
Click on the > arrow
to view our photo slideshow >>>
Attractions
Pritzker
Family Children’s Zoo
Combine one part zoo with one part playground and you get the Pritzker
Family Children’s Zoo. The Children’s Zoo provides an opportunity for
children to get comfortable with the animals that reside in the North
American wilderness. While wolves, bears and snakes are considered
dangerous, the idea is for kids to learn respect for these forest
predators, and not just fear them.
Here are some fun activities that await you in the Pritzker Family
Children’s Zoo:
Splash around in the giant,
outdoor, shooting water fountain
Practice impersonations of the
Children’s Zoo animals with sonic sound-transmitting tubes
Play in a bigger-than-life indoor
playground filled with mazes of ropes, bridges and platforms
Kids rule this part of the zoo and
will run, jump and climb their way to a great time, so be prepared
to spend a little time there.
Regenstein African Journey
The Regenstein African Journey is your ticket to discover the many
climates and creatures that inhabit Africa, the second largest
continent on Earth. Africa is home to some of the harshest living
conditions on Earth, including staggering heat, mind-boggling rainfall
totals, and treacherous thorn-filled forests. Around each corner of
the African Journey is a new environment complete with the plants,
animals and insects of that particular region.
Highlights of the Regenstein African Journey include:
A life-size human habitat built 10
feet off the ground
The inner-workings of a termite
mound
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and
Golden Orb Weaver Spiders
Farm in the Zoo
Farm in the Zoo will plant the seeds of knowledge, cultivate your
interest in farming, and feed your senses through interactive exhibits
and live demonstrations. Farm in the Zoo (or FITZ) offers the chance
to meet the people and animals that put food on our plates each day. It is comprised of barns in which different elements of farming are
highlighted.
The Dairy Barn showcases cows and goats in an utterly fascinating look
at how these useful animals are fed, cleaned and milked. Cow feeding
and milking demonstrations are held a few times daily, plus there are
several chances to see how goats are kept clean, from their hair down
to the hooves. The Dairy Barn is also where the goat petting zoo is
located.
Filled with touch screen exhibits that will awaken the farmer in all
of us, the Main Barn is the meat and the potatoes of FITZ. Inside you
can climb into a real John Deere tractor, plow a virtual crop and
learn the ins and outs of harvesting everything from corn to bees. Be
sure to see the following when you visit the Main Barn:
Farming & Weather: The only
thing farmers can’t control is the weather, and in this exhibit,
you’ll get to see and feel the effects that different weather scenarios
have on their crops
Meet an Animal: Zoo
staffers bring the animals to you in this face-to-face introduction
to smaller lap animals like chickens, owls or rabbits.
Chick Hatchery: See baby
chicks emerge from their shells and watch them develop during their
first days of life.
Regenstein Center for African Apes
The Regenstein Center for African Apes is comprised of nearly 30,000
square feet of indoor and outdoor habitats. The recreated living
quarters provide the perfect environment for you to see the apes as if
you were with them in the tropical forests of Africa.
When you’re outside, be sure to see
the Chimpanzees, the ever-playful primates. Whether they’re climbing,
chasing or hanging around, they’re very entertaining to watch. Then go
inside to see the main attraction, the Silverback Gorillas. One inch
of glass separates you from these gentle giants who tend to remind us
of ourselves.
Rides
Endangered Species
Carousel
This is not your normal carousel
with the same old horses and ponies. All the animals on this
one-of-a-kind carousel are considered rare and endangered and are
being threatened by extinction. By riding the carousel, you are
helping to create an awareness to ensure that species like Giant
Pandas, Harbor Seals and Sun Bears will stick around for a few more
generations. Besides that, this carousel is just plain fun to ride.
(Additional charges do apply to ride the Carousel)
Paddle Boats
See Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago skyline from a brand new
perspective on your very own paddleboat. Take a break from walking and
enjoy gliding around the South Lagoon in a two- or four-person
paddleboat. Paddleboats can be rented by the half-hour in front of
Café Brauer.
TIP: Rent the green (non-Swan)
paddleboats. The Swan heads tend to obstruct the views and can be
distracting.
African
Safari Ride
Blast through hyperspace on an
intergalactic mission through the fiercest terrains of Africa. Travel
over land, sea and air, examining an assortment of species from across
the continent and beyond your imagination. Special 3-D glasses grant
you up close and personal access to the likes of rhinos, spiders and
bats and intense motion simulation guarantees that you will have a
great time. (Additional charges do apply to ride the African Safari
Ride.)
TIP: If you’re prone to motion
sickness or are pregnant, consider sitting this one out. It can be
jostling at times.
Lincoln Park Zoo Children’s Train Ride
All aboard!! Situated at the main entrance along Stockton Avenue, this
rather tame train ride travels in circles and will definitely excite
children ages 1-4.
Our Top 5's
Tips
Here's our top picks in some important
categories:
1. Hand-Scooped Ice Cream - Cafe Brauer
2. Funnel Cakes - Safari Cafe
3. Chicago Style Hot Dogs - Landmark Cafe
4. Chicken Pesto Panini Sandwich- Park Place Cafe
5. Nachos Grande - Cafe Brauer
Consider these suggestions in advance of
your visit:
Bring your Camera and your flash.
There’s a lot of photo opportunities at the Zoo.
After taking a picture of a
certain animal, take a picture of something with the animal’s name
on it so you won’t forget when you get home.
Pick up a zoo map. Then map a
route before you start your tour.
Bring lots of sanitizing wipes to
keep hands clean.
Bring Paper and Pencils for
Activities.
Bring bathing suits, towels and
sandals to play in the fountain at the Pritzker Family Children’s
Zoo.
At the Zoo
Activities and Games
These games & activities can be done at lunch, during an afternoon
break or even while you’re walking around the zoo. The more people
that join in, the more fun that will be had.
Sound-Offs - Have group members take turns impersonating
animals by the way they move or sound. Then the rest of the group has
to try figure out which it is.
From A to Z
– Use the
enclosed worksheet with all the letters
of the alphabet on it. Have group members write down the names of
animals that start with each letter when they see them in the zoo.
Paw Draw- Have members of the group draw different animals seen
throughout the day and then have the remaining members guess what
animals are being drawn.
Souvenirs for the
Kids
Here are some souvenirs that will keep younger members of your group
in good spirits.
Temporary Tattoos – Let the little ones take their favorite
animal home – on their skin. Temporary tattoos are a safe and fun way
for your child to show off their new wildlife friends.
Foto Fun – Strike a pose and create instant memories of your
visit to the zoo. Stationed throughout the park, these self-contained
Foto Fun photo booths make for great souvenirs and let kids (and
adults) be as wacky as they want to be.
Kid Binoculars – This is the best investment towards a great
day for your kids at Lincoln Park Zoo. The Kid Binoculars bring the
animals closer than ever before and will immediately magnify the
interest level of the younger members of your group.
After the Zoo
If you have time after exploring Lincoln Park Zoo, be sure to check
out these destinations located nearby:
1. Chicago Historical Society – Discover Chicago’s path to
greatness in the “Crossroads of America” exhibit in the Chicago
History Museum. You can also visit the "History a la Cart" exhibit and
learn how Chicago went from farm to metropolis. You can also
sign up for a 2-hour walking tour through some of Chicago’s most
historically treasured neighborhoods. Choose from Chicago’s upscale
Gold Coast region, the progressively modern Old Town neighborhood, or
the beautiful and urban Lincoln Park.
(Admission to Chicago History
Museum and choice of Walking Tour are FREE when using the Go Chicago
Card)
1601 N. Clark Street
(Corner of Clark Street and North Avenue)
Chicago, IL
312-642-4600 Official Web Site
2. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum – Fun for all ages, the Notebaert Nature Museum will fascinate you with a vast array of
ecological and biological information. Find out everything you need to
know about the environment and how you can help take care of it.
(Admission to the Notebaert Nature Museum is FREE when using the Go
Chicago Card)
2430 N. Cannon Drive
(Corner of Fullerton and Cannon)
Chicago,IL
773-755-5100 Official Web Site
3. Lincoln Park Conservatory – Located at the entrance of the
Lincoln Park Zoo, the Conservatory is home to hundreds of plant and
flower species. The indoor greenhouses offer superb photo
opportunities, so bring your camera. Admission is FREE year round.
2391 N. Stockton Drive
(Corner of Stockton and Fullerton)
Chicago, IL
312-742-7736 Official Web Site
