Let’s get close to nature today. Walk by the beach, stroll in the park and see some wild life at Lincoln Park Zoo. Let’s GO!

Facts About Chicago

• Chicago is the largest city of Illinois and third largest city of the United States after New York City and Los Angeles.
• Chicago has various nicknames including “Chi-town”, “Windy City”, “Second City,” the “City of Big Shoulders”, and “American of big cities”.
• A unique downtown Chicago feature is its multi-leveled streets, the most well-known of which is Wacker Drive. This double-decker street comprises an upper-level riverfront boulevard and a lower-level roadway for commercial and through traffic.Chicago’s downtown area is known as “The Loop,” which refers to the area encircled by the Chicago Transit Authority’s elevated (‘L’) train tracks.The CTA operates the nation’s second largest public transportation system. In an average year, the CTA provides more than 450 million bus and train rides.

I’am not really into Zoo, but If I have spare time I wouldn’t mind going thereto pass the time. When I went to San Diego couple of years ago, I visited San Diego Zoo and Sea World which is usually more than enough animals for me for my trip. You might find it weird but what I enjoy most in going to zoo more than seeing wild animals is just the activity of strolling and walking. Yes of course, seeing wild animals is great otherwise what is a zoo without them. I love walking this is why I like going to cities that are walkable especially the downtown area.

To be honest, Lincoln Park Zoo was the last item in my itinerary, it was more on extra activity if I have time but not something that I would really try to squeeze in for my vacation. Luckily, my Chicago trip ended up to be a more relax one, not full packed. I decided not to do any museum attractions and spend more time outdoors instead.

Last Day, chill day

In my last day at Chicago, I saved that day for just lazying around and doing whatever. That is just what I did which made me end up to Lincoln Park Zoo. It was a long far walk from CitizenM, the hotel where I stayed. Took me about 1 hour to get there, and that for me is a definition of far when it comes to wlaking to see an attraction.

Breakfast First @Stans Donut

I started my day early, as usual. I went to grab a quick breakfast at Stans Donut which is a famous Donut place in Chicago. I am not into donut, but they do have other breakfast items and I do not mind seeing what is the hype about this place. I stopped by mainly to get some hot beverage, tea and decided to get a donut to try.

I got the strawberry filled donut, 1 donut is all I can eat and thats too bad as there are so many flavors to try, not to mention the breakfast sandwiches. but anyway, I got the main thing is was my tea, so I was all good. The donut was .. a donut 🙂 Nothing unsual or special for me, maybe I should have selected soemthing more different but that was what I was feeling like that day.

Magnifiscent Mile

I do not have anything schedule for that day. After breakfast, I decided to walk the Magnifiscent Mile which is a long stretch of retail stores in downtown Chicago. I kept walking and walking until I reached the end and when I checked where I was, it showed I was only few minutes away from Lincoln ParkPark Zoo and that is why I decided to go there anyway. I’ve walked this far already so lets go for it.

The Magnificent Mile, located in downtown Chicago, is a prestigious stretch of North Michigan Avenue offering an extensive array of luxury retailers, popular department stores, diverse dining options, and vibrant entertainment venues. This renowned shopping district is characterized by its iconic architecture, including the historic Chicago Water Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, along with stunning views of the Chicago River. Visitors can indulge in a premier retail experience, explore the bustling city atmosphere, and admire the remarkable urban landscape. Whether you seek upscale shopping, exquisite dining, or captivating cultural attractions, the Magnificent Mile is a captivating destination showcasing the dynamic spirit of Chicago.

Oak Street Beach

After reaching the end of Magnifiscent Mile, I crossed the street and started seeing water, I ended up in Oak Beach. It was a really hot day and there was not a lot of people in the beach, besides it was close to noon time and the sun was really hot to the skin. As I mentioned several times, I love walking but at that moment, all I want is to find a shaded area to hide from the heat of the sun. This would had been a better walk during late afternoon perhaps even sunset by the beach.

Lincoln Park is few more minutes from Oak Street Beach but because of the heat, it felt like the road never ends. I almost thought of turning back, but I kept on going 🙂

Oak Street Beach in Chicago, Illinois

Oak Street Beach is a popular stretch of shoreline located in the heart of Chicago, on the shores of Lake Michigan. It is known for its picturesque setting and is a favorite spot for locals and tourists to enjoy the sun, sand, and water. The beach offers stunning views of the city’s skyline and provides a relaxing escape from the urban bustle. Visitors can partake in various activities such as sunbathing, swimming, beach volleyball, and leisurely strolls along the sandy shore.

For those seeking a respite from the sun, there are nearby amenities and shaded areas to relax in. Despite being a prime destination, it tends to be less crowded during non-peak times, making it an ideal spot for a serene beach experience.

If you’re in search of a tranquil urban beach retreat with a backdrop of the iconic Chicago skyline, Oak Street Beach is an excellent choice.

Lincoln Park Zoo is a free 35-acre zoo located in Lincoln Park in Chicago, Illinois. It is home to a wide variety of animals, including gorillas, lions, polar bears, and more. The zoo also features beautiful botanical gardens and is open 365 days a year. It’s a popular attraction for both locals and tourists visiting the city.

General Information

• Address: Chicago, IL 60614, USA
• Website: https://www.lpzoo.org
• Hours of Operation: Open every day: Gates at 10 a.m., Buildings at 10 a.m.
• Entrance Fee: FREE
• Duration: 1 – 1 1/2 hour

I managed to find the path that leads to the Lincoln park entrance, it was a huge park and was a nice walk as soon as I was under the shade of the trees. There a Monument statue close to the entrance which made me thougth I was on the right direction.

As you can see from the map, the itself is huge. The Lincoln Park Zoo is one area in the park that you could visit. There were few concession stands which unfortunately was not open when I visited. The food court was open though, but the other food concessions were not. It was a hot day and all I wanted was a cold drink and maybe an ice cream to cool off but I was disappointed to know that they were close.

Since I entered close frm the Benjamin Franklin Monument, I decided to check the South Pond area first, then the farm in the Zoo. They have a nice wooden walkway built around the pond. It was fully open and on a hot day, it was really hot. The major thing that was challenging for me was the heat, it greatly affected my experience walking the park. Definietly noon time is not the best time to visit especially on a hot sunny day. If you plan to visit, go at least early morning before noon or late afternoon. Make sure to check the operation hours and plan your visit ahead.

After walking the South Pond area, I moved the the Zoo which was the main reason why I visited this place. It was a huge zoo, but as many other people who visited here said, it doesn’t have as much animals like the other zoo. It was a free zoo after all, so I cannot complain.

Things to Do at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois offers a range of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Here are some of the top things to do at the zoo:

1. Animal Exhibits: Explore a diverse collection of animals including gorillas, lions, polar bears, and more. Witness captivating animal behaviors and learn about wildlife conservation.
2. Botanical Gardens: Delight in the zoo’s beautiful botanical gardens, featuring a variety of lush plant species and scenic landscapes.
3. Year-Round Visits: Take advantage of the zoo’s year-round operation, as it is open 365 days a year, providing ample opportunity for visitors to experience its wonders.

Lincoln Park Zoo is a popular attraction offering a blend of wildlife and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination in the heart of Chicago.

It was an easy walk around the zoo, at least this place was not as exposed as the South Pond area. I saw some wild animals which was nice. From what I read and from people feedback, I did not even have any high expectation of the place.

I left around 3:00PM as I have a long way to walk back and I was really hungry. If you have extra time and if you have kids to entertain, this is a good place to visit. Otherwise, if you are short of time and trying to maximize what you can do in Chicago, I would take this out from the list.

I decided to stopped by at Strabucks and salad place and have something to go. I LOVE CitizenM where I stayed and I cannot get enough of spending more time in their rooftop. That is where I hangout to eat and just relax. What better way to end the day .. good deliciosu food in a cozy rooftop lounge.

That’s it for now, until my next adventure. Bye!!

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