Head to Lincoln Park to visit one of the only remaining zoos in the United States that offers free admission, providing a home to more than 1,100 animals. Popular Lincoln Park Zoo attractions include the Regenstein Macaque Forest, where you’ll see Japanese monkeys climbing through their habitat, and the Pritzker Penguin Cove, which contains plenty of waddling African birds. If you need a break, grab a burger, tacos or a cocktail on the Patio at Café Brauer, overlooking the Nature Boardwalk.

The most wonderful time of the year deserves the most wonderful event of the year. For that, join Lincoln Park Zoo for their annual celebration of ZooLights. This one-of-a-kind, festive holiday experience offers a free, merry, family-oriented celebration of joy right in the heart of the city. ZooLights features hundreds of luminous displays and incredible seasonal activities, all under the glow of 2.5 million lights.

City kids get a little bit country at this rural pocket of Lincoln Park Zoo. It isn't your typical petting zoo; most of the animals can't be touched by the public. But there are daily facilitated chats with zookeepers and some animal interactions through scheduled programs like Meet a Chicken, Greet the Goats and the Cow Milking Demonstration. The Lincoln Park Zoo is open but the Farm in the Zoo is temporarily closed.

Lincoln Park Zoo is full of creatures big and small, it has the perfect lakeside address with stunning city views, offers gobs of family activities and restaurants all around it, it’s gorgeous. . .and, it’s FREE!