See roaring lions, playful meerkats and majestic gorillas just minutes from downtown Chicago. Lincoln Park Zoo is Chicago's only zoo -free and open for all, every day of the year. Visitors can traverse the 49-acre grounds and take in the state-of-the-art animal habitats, accredited gardens, skyline and lake views, and immerse themselves among the nature and wildlife that call the zoo home. Take part in free daily programming, learn from the experts while you walk, grab tasty treats from a variety of food vendors, and more! Lincoln Park Zoo is also an accredited arboretum and botanic garden, along with an accredited zoo. Chicago’s free zoo is located just minutes from downtown at Lake Shore Drive and Fullerton Parkway. Paid parking is available in the zoo's parking lot off of Fullerton Ave., or free street parking surrounding the zoo on Stockton & Cannon. CTA buses 151, 156, 22, and 36 service the zoo, which is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more info, visit www.lpzoo.org.

Three square blocks of open lakefront complete with a Ferris Wheel, outdoor music pavillion and ice skating rink; expected to become one of the city's most popular sites.