Lincoln Park is home to historic churches and pretty brick row houses. There’s also plenty of parks, tree-lined residential areas, and a vibrant business sector.
There are also numerous restaurants, including Chicago’s only 3-Michelin star restaurant, Alinea.
Read on to learn about the varied things to do in Lincoln Park, Chicago whether you’re visiting or moving to the neighborhood.
Lincoln Park Conservatory
The Lincoln Park Conservatory is a beautiful greenhouse under a glass dome. It features over 40,000 plants and 200 species.
There’s a robust fern collection, a section devoted to orchid varieties and even a 50-foot rubber tree.
The Conservatory makes a great place to take pictures and is open year round. The flower shows change with the seasons so you should check the website before you plan a visit.
Lincoln Park Cultural Center
The Lincoln Park Cultural Center is the place to go for a wedding, engagement and family photos. There’s a gorgeous view of the downtime skyline that is very Instagram-worthy.
Lincoln Park Cultural Center offers a variety of cultural and recreational programming throughout the year. You can take classes here such as ceramics, woodworking, stained glass, and dance classes.
It also has an early childhood center filled with fun and exciting programs for youngsters.
The Lincoln Park Cultural Center is located in a red-brick building that used to be the park’s administrative headquarters.
Green City Market
The Green City Market is an indoor market that offers a wide range of farm fresh produce, meat, dairy goods, flowers, plants, and baked goods.
You will find plenty of samples to enjoy, for instance at 10:30 a.m. each Saturday, you can enjoy a local chef demonstration. Learn how to cook with market ingredients at home.
Best of all, you can drop off your home’s compost items at the indoor market. Your food waste will be used in large compost bins on local farms. And you’ll have less garbage to dispose of.
Pay just $3 per drop-off. Visit the info booth for more information.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park is home to the Lincoln Park Zoo which is one of the last free zoos in the nation.
Come for the afternoon and see 1,200 animals. Everyone always enjoys visiting apes, zebras and everything in between.
This zoo is small (just 35 acres) which makes it perfect for a half a day visit. It is a great zoo for young kids who tire easily.
The Lincoln Park Zoo has everything you love to see at, the lion house and the African Apes are the most popular exhibits.
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
The Alfred Caldwell Lilly Pool is a National Historic Landmark. It is an often-overlooked hidden treasure within Lincoln Park that is a must-see spot in Chicago.
This pool was designed by a landscape architect named Alfred Caldwell and was completed in 1938. On the site are a lovely entrance gate, a pavilion and council ring.
Have a picnic here and enjoy the sounds of the waterfall as you overlook the prairie river and abundant native plants. It’s a great spot for photography, too.
This spot is just one of the many reasons why Lincoln Park is one of the best places to live in Chicago.
Apollo Theater Chicago
One of the best things to do in Lincoln Park Chicago is going to see a show at the Apollo Theater Chicago.
The theater was built in 1978 and has been renovated twice. It boasts a dramatic concrete and glass design and seats 440 guests.
The Apollo has just 11 rows which ensure’s that every seat in the house has a great view of the stage. You’ll love the intimate seating and breathtaking theatrical experience.
There is something for everyone at the Apollo.
Performing now until June 2019 is a limited engagement showing of Djembe! The Show combines powerful storytelling, uplifting music, and drums. See what audiences all over the world are raving about.
Oz Park
Oz Park. is a park entirely dedicated to The Wizard of Oz. Enjoy taking in the sculptures of the famous Oz characters as you amble along the park’s pathways.
There’s also a playground complete with a maze, wooden castle, and bridge. The youngest visitors can enjoy a toddler play area adjacent to the main playground. It features rocking animals, slides and a wooden train.
Museums in Lincoln Park
There are several great museums to check out in Chicago. A few of which are right in Lincoln Park such as Wrightwood 659, a new museum devoted to architecture and “socially engaged art”.
Other fantastic museums to visit in Chicago are The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago History Museum, DePaul Art Museum, and National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
This museum in Lincoln Park is a wonderful natural oasis in an urban setting.
Visitors will learn about nature and science through immersive exhibits, fun family events, and modern research.
There are plenty of hands-on interactive displays, plus a 2,700 square-foot Butterfly Haven where visitors can enjoy the magic of butterflies in their natural state.
Chicago History Museum
Whether you’ve lived in Chicago your whole life or are just visiting, one of the best things to do in Lincoln Park Chicago is to check out the Chicago History Museum.
There are varied exhibits on Chicago’s history over the decades and freedom in America. Interactive activities for the kids are hands-on fun.
And the exhibit “Chicago: Crossroads of America,” features a chunk of the original Fort Dearborn.
Lincoln Park
This Chicago neighborhood is one of the oldest communities in Chicago. You can enjoy history in the everyday architecture of storefronts, restaurants, and bars.
It is a great place to visit, and if you fall in love with the atmosphere or have been planning to move into the area check out our guide to finding an apartment in Chicago.