Lincoln Park Zoo parking: Your hunt for the best spots ends here

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago is the best place to spend a day out with family. But spending time in the great outdoors doesn’t mean you need to hunt for good parking spots! We’ve collected all the information you may need to find easy Lincoln Park Zoo parking nearby – including things like on-site parking rates, street parking, and garages nearby. 

The Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo is more than just a popular hangout spot for visitors. As one of the oldest zoos in the country, it is also a national landmark and has a special place in the hearts of Chicago citizens. It has nearly 1000 animals and 200 species exhibits within its limits, besides a host of fun activities for everyone in the family. Another reason to visit it is the Lincoln Park ZooLights – the famous light show that happens every Christmas season! 

The zoo can get pretty crowded on certain days – especially during the holidays when school is out. While off-season shouldn’t be too much of a problem, the holiday season (especially the weeks before Christmas) could dent your hopes of finding convenient parking.  If you haven’t planned your parking ahead, you’ll start wishing your day out was a day in. 

You don’t need to worry too much, though – there are plenty of options for parking both at the zoo and surrounding it. All you need to do is make a good choice. The perfect spot shouldn’t be too expensive, but at the same time, it also shouldn’t be inconvenient to get. We’ve collected all your options for parking near Lincoln Park Zoo in this post.

Where is Lincoln Park Zoo located?

The East Gate entrance is located at 2400 N Cannon Drive, Chicago. It is usually open on all days between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can find more information about visiting hours, directions to the zoo, and the zoo map here.

Location Map

Where to park at Lincoln Park Zoo

The on-site parking lot is located at 2400 N Cannon Drive. The lot opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 11 p.m. You can easily find parking here during the off-season. However, during the holiday season, it can get pretty crowded, and the parking lots could fill up quickly. Ensure you reach the zoo well before opening time if you want to get a good spot.

How much is parking at Lincoln Park Zoo?

The Lincoln Park Zoo parking cost ranges between $20-35, depending on seasonal demand. Visitors with zoo memberships can get free parking and discounted rates. However, that’s not really feasible for folks who visit it once a year or for out-of-towners. You can find more affordable and convenient off-site parking options as well. It will cost you at least 30% less at most of these garages – and all of them are within walking distance of the zoo.

Where can you find street parking near Lincoln Park Zoo?

You find metered street parking near Lincoln Park Zoo along N Clark Street. The parking rates vary from $2-4 per hour. However, there are multiple parking rules and regulations you need to follow while parking on-street. For example, there is a time limit of two hours for street parking on N Clark Street. It will definitely take you more than two hours to tour the zoo, so it’s not worth parking on-street if all it does is give you a headache!

Where can you find free parking near Lincoln Park Zoo?

You can find free parking on nearby streets like N Stockton Drive, North Lincoln Park W. However, you should remember that all the visitors to the zoo are on the lookout for these free spots! The intense demand could mean that you need to be very early or very lucky to get these spots! Don’t be complacent and put all your hopes into it. Besides, street parking also comes with other risks – like dents and scratches from careless drivers. There’s also the risk of break-ins if you leave your car too long on the street. It’ll be much safer at an indoor garage.

What is the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights show? 

The Lincoln Park Zoo Christmas Lights are an annual attraction in Chicago that is not to be missed. The entire zoo is decked up in twinkling lights that are powered by green, sustainable, solar energy. It has become a Chicago tradition for folks to visit the ZooLights every December and enjoy other attractions like a holiday pop-up bar, an Enchanted Forest, a Light Maze, and more! 

How much will the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights tickets cost? 

Entry is free on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, you will still have to take tickets to view the lights. On all other days, the price of admission is $5. There are also two Members-only nights on November 19 and December 13. 

How long will the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights show run? 

The Zoo Lights are open to the public between 4 – 10 p.m from November 19 to Jan 2. However, it is not open on all days. The exact dates are given below: 

• November 19-24 
• November 26-30 
• December 1; 3-15; and  17-23 
• December 26-31 
• January 1-2 

Apart from the ZooLights, you can also watch other attractions like BrewLights presented by Louis Glunz Beer (December 2), Adults Night Out: Holidaze (December 16), and Zoo Year’s Eve (December 31). 

How can you find Lincoln Park Zoo parking discounts?

You can find fantastic discounts and secure parking in one shot – just use a parking app like Way.com! While the on-site parking lots will cost you a minimum of $20 for daily parking, off-site parking garages near Lincoln Park Zoo will cost you just $12 for the same. You can use the Way.com website or app to pinpoint the closest garages, compare their prices, and book a spot in an instant.

You don’t need to spend time driving around looking for a spot. Pre-booking online helps you get a guaranteed spot for the entire duration of your visit to the zoo. All the garages are within walking distance of the zoo, are well-maintained, paved, and checked for quality. They are also CCTV-enabled to keep your vehicle safe and offer value for money with rates as low as $12 per day! So don’t delay – Lincoln Park Zoo parking has never been easier.

Where can find Lincoln Zoo Lights parking?

You can park at the official Lincoln Zoo parking lots. They do get to tend expensive especially during the ZooLights show. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of locating free parking or splurge on the official lots,  you can use Way.com to reserve a parking spot nearby! Check below for affordable spots.

Best parking lots near the zoo 

Lincoln Commons Garage Parking 

This covered-self park garage is open 24×7 and is just a 5-minute walk from Lincoln Park Zoo. Park here for as low as $12 for an entire day – and even less if you’re going by hourly rates.  This facility is operated by SP+ is located on the southwest side of N Lincoln Ave, between W Belden Ave and W Fullerton Ave. 

New City Parking garage 

You can enter this safe, covered garage with 24×7 camera surveillance located on 710 West Eastman Street. It is just a quick walk from the Zoo. It’s perfect for flexible parking like hourly or daily parking. 

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