Lincoln Park Zoo

Early Closings
Lincoln Park Zoo occasionally must close early to accommodate special events. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Chicago Air & Water Show is August 14 and 15. Please note that Individual, Household and Zoologist members WILL NOT RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED PARKING on these dates.

2010 Air & Water Show Daily Parking Rates
Saturday August 14: $40
Sunday August 15: $40

Click here reserve one-day parking passes for $50

August 20 the Kovler Lion House will close at 3 p.m. for a fundraising event.

August 27 Lincoln Park Zoo will close at 5 p.m. in preparation for Jammin' at the Zoo.
We apologize for any inconvenience. .



Hours
Memorial Day–Labor Day (May 29–September 6)
Weekdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (gates open until 6 p.m.)
Weekends 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (gates open until 7 p.m.)

September–October
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

November–March
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

April–May
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Lincoln Park Zoo is located off Lake Shore Drive at the Fullerton Parkway exit, just minutes north of downtown Chicago. From I-94, exit at either Fullerton Parkway or North Avenue and go east.

CTA bus routes 151 or 156 both serve the zoo; for schedules, contact the RTA/CTA at 312-836-7000. Click here for the CTA/RTA Travel Information Center (will open a new window).

Construction Notice
LaSalle Drive will be under construction this summer. While there may be traffic delays around Lincoln Park Zoo, our parking lot will remain open.  

Smoking Policy
We ask that you refrain from smoking for the health and safety of our animals and visitors.

Parking
Parking fees are collected at the exit of the lot. 

Rate
0–30 minutes: No charge
30 minutes–3 hours: $17
3–4 hours: $19
4–5 hours: $25
5+ hours: $30

Please note that different rates may apply for special events.

   Location & Directions

Lincoln Park Zoo is located off Lake Shore Drive at the Fullerton Parkway exit, just minutes north of downtown Chicago. From I-94, exit at either Fullerton Parkway or North Avenue and go east.

Parking Lot Congestion
This is field-trip season and Lincoln Park Zoo is excited to welcome students.
We’d like to remind you to plan for the increased volume of visitors and buses using the parking lot. Please note:

*The lot is congested during bus drop-off time (9–10 a.m.) and pick-up time (noon–2 p.m.)
*The lot is most congested on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from late March through early June.
*As always, we encourage visitors to use public transportation when visiting Lincoln Park Zoo.

Zoo members continue to receive parking benefits during zoo hours.

Zoologists Level Members:
You receive six free hours of parking during zoo hours. Swipe your card at the entrance and exit.

Household and Individual Members:
If you are using a complimentary parking coupon:

  1. Take a white parking ticket from the ticket dispenser at the parking lot entrance (use the "Push here for ticket" button). DO NOT swipe your membership card.
  2. Upon exiting, insert the white ticket from the entrance into the payment unit's ticket slot.
  3. Insert your yellow complimentary parking coupon into the same slot.

To receive $7 flat-rate parking:

  1. Swipe your gold membership card through the machine's slot at the entrance. DO NOT press the button for a ticket.
  2. Upon exiting, swipe your gold membership card through the payment unit's slot.
  3. Next, insert a credit card or cash into the unit. The machine will provide change for cash transactions, as appropriate.
  4. When payment is completed, the arm will lift, allowing you to exit from the lot.

PLEASE NOTE: The zoo is no longer able to adjust fees charged when exiting the parking lot. As a result, failure to follow the steps above will likely result in you being charged the full rate. This includes patrons who have forgotten their membership card.

As always, you may visit Gateway Pavilion from 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. for any parking or membership questions. We recommend you resolve any parking concerns at Gateway prior to exiting the lot.

Get to the Zoo Using Public Transportation
Lincoln Park Zoo is accessible by a number of public-transportation options.
To learn more, call 312-836-7000 or use the CTA’s trip-planner.

Buses
#151 and #156 stop at the zoo’s West Gate (Stockton & Webster) and near the Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere (Stockton & Armitage)
#22 stops near the zoo’s West Gate (exit at Clark & Webster) and Café Brauer Gate (exit at Clark & Armitage)
#36 stops near the zoo’s West Gate (exit at Clark & Webster) and Café Brauer Gate (exit at Clark & Armitage)

Trains
The Brown line and Purple line stop at the Armitage station, which is about one mile west of the zoo. Exit and walk east on Armitage, past Clark, to the Café Brauer Gate.

Cabs
Cab fare from downtown Chicago to Lincoln Park Zoo is about $10. Enter at the Café Brauer Gate or West Gate.



Please call 312-742-2000 or e-mail here with any questions.

We appreciate your cooperation.