If you’re a seasoned traveler or someone looking for a local destination that has a lot to offer, it might not spring to mind as a top tourist destination when you first think of Lincoln Park in Chicago, but some gems are waiting to be found and explored in the area that you shouldn’t dismiss.
Actual Lincoln Park
Of course, you can’t visit Lincoln Park (the neighborhood) without visiting Lincoln Park (the park)! It’s a little slice of tranquility and nature so close to the bustling city of Chicago. You’ll find quite a lot to see and do in the park itself, so pack a picnic and prepare to spend the day there. Look for the Lakefront Trail, the Chicago History Museum, and the Nature Boardwalk, and when the sun starts to set, you can see a show at the Theater on the Lake. Don’t forget to also visit the local boutiques that line the streets of Armitage where you’ll find a plethora of fun shops that offer almost anything you can imagine. If you’re artistic, there are some that will let you flex your creative skills and make something yourself too. You might want to also book out an entire day to visit the zoo, so you might want more than one day just to wander around Lincoln Park and explore what it has to offer.
The Lincoln Park Zoo
The Lincoln Park Zoo is just over 150 years old, having been first opened in 1868, and is free to visit. It’s a big zoo, stretched out over more than 30 acres, and is renowned the world over for The Great Ape House and the sheer variety of primates that call the zoo home. You can also expect to see the utterly adorable red panda, a collection of reptiles that will blow your mind, and bigger mammals like the African Lion and American Black Bear too. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll spend many wonderful hours in the Lincoln Park Zoo.
The North Avenue Beach
No, you didn’t read that wrong. The shore of Lake Michigan is home to some amazing beaches and the North Avenue Beach is possibly one of Chicago’s most popular. It offers wonderfully inviting waters for swimming and in the summer, the beach is home to many beach volleyball courts, so if you want to join in on a game and cool down with a swim in the lake, this is the perfect spot to visit.
If you’re passing through, heading to Lincoln Park, or moving to one of the area’s assisted living Chicago facilities, there are some things and places you simply have to see when you get there.
There is so much more to see and do in Lincoln Park than you could imagine, so if you are just passing through, why not stay a few days and explore what the area has to offer? You won’t regret a little detour, even if just for a visit to the zoo.
