Lincoln Park Zoo is a free community center that's open year-round. The park's board and staff are dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a family-focused wildlife experience in the heart of Chicago's beautiful Lincoln Park neighborhood and advancing the highest quality of animal care, education, science and conservation.
The zoo is a privately managed institution that depends primarily on the support of its visitors, members and donors to remain open every day. More than two-thirds of the zoo’s operating budget is provided by revenue from its food service, retail shops, parking, and fundraising activities, according to its website. The remaining funds are provided by the Chicago Park District.
Visitors to the zoo can see primates, Safari creatures, reptiles, birds, marine life, and much more. The primate house is a big attraction, as is an underground area where you can watch the seals and polar bears dive in.