Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park is one of the best residential neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois. It features vintage townhomes that offer single-family and apartment-style living. The streets are tree-lined, and many houses even boast a small yard. Parking is difficult, though. If you don't have a residential parking permit, you may find yourself circling the blocks for quite some time, looking for a parking space.

In addition to its residential charm, Lincoln Park is host to numerous Chicago attractions. The best known are the Lincoln Park Zoo, North Avenue Beach, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Lincoln Park Zoo is open year-round and has free admission. Between this and their high-quality exhibits, the zoo attracts upwards of 3 million visitors a year. It is best to visit in the morning before the crowds grow too large. The zoo was first opened in 1868 and has been continuously committed to providing Chicagoans and visitors with a unique wildlife experience. Today, one of the zoo's highlights is the children's section, which includes a nature walk complete with native wild animals.

After the zoo, North Avenue Beach is another Lincoln Park must-see. It is a wide, sandy beach with an excellent view of both Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. North Avenue Beach hosts professional beach volleyball tournaments and the Chicago Air and Water Show during the summer.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory was completed in 1895 and has filled Lincoln Park with beautiful plants for the past one hundred years. There are four different greenhouses, each with their own beautiful array of flora: the Orchid House, the Fernery, the Palm House, and the Show House.