Winter things to do in Chicago- Zoo lights at Lincoln Park Zoo!

Winter is such a pretty time in Chicago, and we don’t let the weather slow us down. Between Thanksgiving and New Years there are tons of things to do. So many that I didn’t get to post about them all because they came and went already!

But one place that does it up for the whole month of December is The Lincoln Park Zoo.

Christmas decorations inside The Lincoln Park Conservatory

The Conservatory and The Zoo are always free, and they’re inside Lincoln Park itself. You can walk around the park, see all the pretty buildings in the neighborhood, then visit the Conservatory and The Zoo.

lincoln_park_zoo_christmas_flowers

If you time it right, you can see everything at once. Visit The Conservatory from 9-5 daily, then head over to the Zoo for the light show from 5-9! Over 2 million holiday lights festoon the trees inside the zoo. It’s sooooooo pretty!

holiday lights at the lincoln park zoo, chicago

 

Plus they have ice carving, and carousel and train rides.

winter at lincoln park zoo

There are stands that sell hot cider, hot chocolate and mulled wine- yum. You can even visit some of the animals. It’s fun and scary to see the big cats outside at night.

mulled wine at lincoln park zoo holiday lights

The Lincoln Park Zoo website has all the details and schedule.

lincoln park zoo christmas lights

 

lincoln_park_zoo_holiday lights

I guess this year they even have an ice skating rink– fun!

If you are still up for it, you can wander into the Lincoln Park neighborhood and stop at Galway Arms for a hot spiked beverage in front of one of their toasty fireplaces.

winter Holiday drinks at Galway Arms, Chicago