Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago

One of the USA's oldest zoos (1868) in the heart of Chicago — free admission, lakefront location, and both AZA and arboretum accredited.

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago was founded in 1868 and is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. The 14-hectare site sits within Lincoln Park on Lake Michigan and is one of the few zoos in the world offering free admission. The zoo holds AZA accreditation and since 2019 also accreditation as an arboretum. Highlights include the Regenstein African Journey, the rainforest house, and a children's farm area. It is a popular destination for families and Chicago residents year-round.