The Lincoln Park Zoo is a year-round, free zoo in Northern Chicago. The Zoo’s lion always seems to be out and about, sitting on his outlook for all to admire. The reptile house houses the best collections of snakes I’ve seen so far; they have a tree python, sand boa, many types of rattlesnakes, and our personal favorite, a gaboon viper. The Zoo is fairly small so it’s a perfect spot to just stroll around if you have a free hour.
Outside of the Zoo is the Nature Boardwalk, which transformed the South Pond into an oasis of wildlife, flowers and architecture. The open air pavilion along the boardwalk trail is beautiful, but if you’re an aspiring photographer I wish you ‘good luck’; it’s VERY difficult to get a picture here because there is always something going on. While walking through the boardwalk, you are guaranteed to see a wedding, an engagement session, or a yoga class at or around the pavilion.
From the Nature Boardwalk you can walk across Lake Shore Drive to North Avenue Beach. Walk along the sandy beach to the hook pier for an amazing view of the Chicago skyline. We waited for sunset and shot some amazing pictures of the twinkling lights of the city.
