Lincoln Park Zoo in summer has something to offer everyone, from the familiar pleasures of a paddleboat tour of the South Pond to the hidden gems of the Regenstein Birds of Prey Exhibit. The zoo blooms along with its gardens as guests come by the thousands to fulfill winter daydreams with an afternoon in the summer sun. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve come up with the following must-see features that should be part of any perfect afternoon at the zoo.

The Standards
Kovler Sea Lion Pool
The Sea Lion Pool at Lincoln Park Zoo’s west entrance has offered a perfect meeting spot for visitors since 1879. The elevated observation deck and nearby benches provide choice views of the marine mammals as they spin and dive through their tank. (The deck and benches also offer a handy spot to munch on popcorn from the nearby cart). If the seals are submerged to hide out from the heat, you can head down to the underwater-viewing area for a face-to-flipper experience. Be sure to come back up for the daily operant conditioning sessions, which bring the animals onto land at 2 p.m. sharp.

Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo
In keeping with its immersive feel, the Pritzker Family Children’s Zoo offers several opportunities to step into the wilderness. A bench in front of the red wolves’ outdoor enclosure offers a view that could be mistaken for the Appalachians. Around the bend, a hollow log at the black bear exhibit offers the opportunity to get up close to these impressive animals, which can often be seen playing in their pool to cool off from the summer heat. Kids looking to take a dip of their own should head to the Children’s Zoo building entrance, where sidewalk water fountains randomly spray and squirt overheated visitors.

AT&T Endangered Species Carousel
The AT&T Endangered Species Carousel gives visitors of all ages the chance for a wild ride on an Amur tiger, western lowland gorilla or one of 45 other artisan-crafted animals. Each species is matched with an illustrated information panel enabling you to learn fun facts and conservation status for these rare and endangered animals. After a spin (or two) on the carousel, be sure to stop by the Dream Lady statue located at the exit, near the entrance to the Helen Brach Primate House. This beloved sculpture features an angel sprinkling the sand of dreams into the eyes of two sleeping children, honoring Chicago children’s poet Eugene Field, author of  “Winken, Blinken and Nod.”

Farm-in-the-Zoo Presented by John Deere
Summer is the season for the Farm-in-the-Zoo, which features a variety of new animals, down-home demonstrations and fresh-grown food. Visitors looking for a little country in the city can greet the goats in the contact yard (they might greet you back by nibbling on whatever you’re wearing), feed the cows or stop in for cow-milking and pony-grooming demonstrations. Guests can also take part in the harvest at the Farm’s Edible Garden, learning more about local produce with a representative from Chicago’s Green City Market. If you’re looking to take a bit of the Farm home with you, apparel is available in the General Store.

Regenstein Center for African Apes
When the weather’s nice, the chimpanzees and gorillas at Regenstein Center for African Apes can often be seen exploring their outdoor habitats, foraging among plants and climbing to the treetops against the backdrop of the Chicago skyline. Daily operant-conditioning demonstrations take place inside the building at 1:30 p.m., when keepers train the apes to prepare them for stress-free checkups from the zoo’s veterinary staff. As evening sets in, you can wish the chimpanzees goodnight as they burrow sleeping nests into the wood chips of their enclosure.

pages >> 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |