Hours, Location & Directions
HoursApril–May Memorial Day–Labor Day (May 26–September 3) September–October November–March Location & DirectionsLincoln 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 herefor the CTA/RTA Travel Information Center (will open a new window). Construction Season Is UnderwayWork has begun on the Fullerton Avenue bridge that crosses the Lincoln Park Lagoon near Lake Shore Drive and the entrance to the zoo parking lot. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during construction, which is scheduled to last through December 2012. The parking lot will remain open, but please be aware that a drive to the zoo may involve a little extra travel time. Smoking Policy Parking 0–30 minutes hour—No charge Prices reflect an increase in city parking taxes. Zoo members receive discounted or free parking benefits during zoo hours. Please note that different rates may apply for special events. |
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Parking Lot Congestion
Field-trip season at Lincoln Park Zoo is typically May and early June.
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 May through early June.
*As always, we encourage visitors to use public transportation when visiting Lincoln Park Zoo.
Member Parking
Zoo members continue to receive parking benefits during zoo hours.
Safari and Zoologist Members and Curators’ Circle Donors
You receive six free hours of parking during zoo hours. Swipe your card at the entrance and exit.
Household-level 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.
Or, to receive $9 flat-rate parking:
1. Swipe your orange membership card through the machine's slot at the entrance. DO NOT press the button for a ticket.
2. Upon exiting, swipe your orange 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.
Individual-level Members
To receive $9 flat-rate parking:
1. Swipe your orange membership card through the machine's slot at the entrance. DO NOT press the button for a ticket.
2. Upon exiting, swipe your orange 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 (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 email here with any questions.
We appreciate your cooperation.
