Things to Do

Malott Family Penguin Encounters

Experience the zoo—from the penguin’s perspective! Join the African penguins inside their habitat and get introduced to some of the individuals living at Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove. Find out what their daily lives are like both at the zoo and on the southern African coast.

Mid-May–October 2025
$70 members/ $80 nonmembers, per person
Participants must be at least 6 years old; children ages 6–17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn More Register Today

Daily Free Activities

Lincoln Park Zoo’s daily free activities last approximately 10 minutes and are open to all ages. Some of this season’s activities are listed below; however, all programs are subject to cancellation due to animal needs, inclement weather, or to ensure public safety. Additional programs may happen spontaneously around the zoo at various times.

For updates on daily programs, please look at go.lpzoo.org.

Feed the Chickens

Farm-in-the-Zoo, Chicken Habitat
10:30 a.m., daily
Ends September 1

Jamaican Iguana Care

Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House
11 a.m., Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Feed the Cows

Farm-in-the-Zoo, Outdoor Cow Habitat
11 a.m., daily
2 p.m., Tuesdays–Saturdays
Ends September 1

Polar Bear Care

Walter Family Arctic Tundra
11 a.m., Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Ends August 31

Seal Training and Feeding

Kovler Seal Pool
11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., daily

Monkey Cognition

Regenstein Macaque Forest
11:30 a.m., Mondays–Fridays

Ape Cognition and Care

Regenstein Center for African Apes
1 p.m., daily

Giraffe Training

Regenstein African Journey, Outdoor Giraffe Habitat
1:30 p.m., Fridays
Ends September 5

Penguin Feeding

Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove
2 p.m., daily
Ends November 30

Attractions

Lionel Train Adventure

Hobbyists have been stoked about Lionel Trains since 1900, the year the iconic train manufacturer was founded. Now, the Lionel Train Adventure ride at Lincoln Park Zoo is on track to become another cherish pastime.

This beautifully crafted attraction is located near the zoo’s West Gate and just south of Regenstein Macaque Forest. The trackless, 28-passenger train crosses over a quaint country bridge and winds past forest and canyon scenery before returning to a redbrick station. It features passenger cars, a coal car, and a wheelchair-accessible caboose.

Tickets:

1 Ticket Per Rider

• $4.50 for 1
• $40 for 10
• $185 for 50

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Endangered Species Carousel

The Endangered Species Carousel is a Chicago landmark adorned with 48 intricately hand-carved and beautifully hand-painted replicas of threatened animal species, plus two chariots. Both the young and the young-at-heart will enjoy these colorful models of baby gorillas, zebras, wild dogs, and more.

Tickets:

1 Ticket Per Rider

• $4.50 for 1
• $40 for 10
• $185 for 50

Gorilla Trek – A Virtual Reality Experience

Deep in the forest, frolicking gorilla infants play under their mothers’ watchful eyes. The adult silverback protects the family as subordinate males vie for leadership. These are a few of the 1,000 amazing mountain gorillas left in the world.

Venture with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Tara Stoinski as she ascends 10,000 feet through dense and unforgiving Volcanoes National Park. She leads Immotion’s award-winning VR team in documenting the family dynamics of these majestic and critically endangered creatures that share 99 percent of our human DNA.

You’ll be glad you made this remarkable trip!

Tickets:

2 Tickets Per Rider

$4.50 for 1
$40 for 10
$185 for 50

ASL Information

Lincoln Park Zoo partners with Columbia College’s Department of ASL-English Interpretation to provide American Sign Language interpretation from practicum students at select animal care demonstrations. During the summer, ASL interpreters will be present on select Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Please email access@lpzoo.org for the most up-to-date schedule.

For more information about accessibility at Lincoln Park Zoo, visit lpzoo.org/accessibility or email access@lpzoo.org.