Illinois Travel Guide

Illinois Travel Guide

Northern America

The state of Illinois is located in the mid-west of the United States. In 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the United States.

Illinois is particularly well-known for its metropolis Chicago and Illinois’ capital Springfield.

In the west, Illinois and the Mississippi form the border to the states of Iowa (northwest) and Missouri (southwest). In the southeast, Illinois forms the border with the state of Kentucky with the Ohio River. North of Illinois is the US state of Wisconsin and to the east is the US state of Indiana. To the northeast, the state of Illinois shares another border with the US state of Michigan in the middle of Lake Michigan.

Illinois was named for the Illiniwek and Illini Native American tribes.

The expulsion of the Indians and the arrival of the railroad opened up new areas for settlement in Illinois. Even in colony times, the Illinois name was retained.

His nickname ” Land of Lincoln ” – Lincoln’s land comes from Abraham Lincoln having long lived in the state of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the USA, he lived in New Salem and Springfield until his election as President. After being assassinated in Washington in 1865, he was also buried in Springfield.
In addition to Abraham Lincoln, three other presidents are associated with the state of Illinois: Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.

Springfield is the sixth largest city in Illinois. When you visit the city you can see in many places that Abraham Lincoln once lived here.
The most interesting attractions in Springfield are related to Abraham Lincoln: the Lincoln Home, the Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and the Lincoln-Herdon Law Offices.

With an area of ​​approximately 149,998 km² and approximately 12.9 million inhabitants, Illinois is the fifth largest state in the USA (by population) after California, Texas, New York and Florida.
Illinois is particularly well known for the third largest city in the USA, the metropolis Chicago. Chicago grew very quickly with the advent of the railroad lines that converge here and its ideal proximity to the Mississippi River and the St. Lawrence Seaway. In addition, there is the airport O’Hare International Airport northwest of Chicago, which is one of the largest commercial airports in the world.

Another Illinois attraction begins at Chicago, the famous Route 66 that runs from Chicago to Los Angeles. In Springfield, Route 66 runs right past the Capitol.

UNESCO world heritage

Cahokia Mounds (prehistoric settlement)

National Parks in California

There is no national park in the entire state. But there are a lot of state parks in Illinois.

Cities and interesting places in California

Chicago
Aurora
Rockford
Joliet
Naperville
Springfield
Peoria
Elgin

Rivers in Illinois

Mississippi
Embarras River
Illinois River
Kaskaskia River
Ohio River
Sangamon River
Wabash River

Lakes and reservoirs in Illinois

Lake Michigan
Carlyle Lake
Lake Springfield
Rend Lake

 

 

Lincoln Park Zoo in Lincoln Park, Illinois

In Lincoln Park in metropolitan Chicago, in Illinois, is the municipal zoological garden – Lincoln Park Zoo, very close to the Chicago History Museum. Many interesting animals can be observed on an area of ​​14 hectares.

In total there are about 1100 zoo animals from around 200 species. These include big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, giraffes, rhinos, birds, reptiles, monkeys and other animal species.

Also famous is the large oak tree, which dates back to 1830, ie it was there three years before the city of Chicago was founded. There are three other zoos in the Chicago area: the Brookfield Zoo, Little Phillips Park, and the Cosley Zoo.

Admission to the zoo is free, which is why it always attracts many visitors. Many flowering gardens and wide walkways await visitors to Lincoln Park. In addition, events, tours and lectures are offered at the Lincoln Park Zoo. A connection is created between people and nature and their creatures in the middle of Chicago between the high-rise buildings.

History of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago was founded in 1868. This makes it one of the oldest zoos in the USA. The first animal was a pair of swans. It wasn’t until 1874 that the next animal was added, a bear from the Philadelphia Zoo. At that time, the bear was very adept at escaping from time to time and going for a walk in Lincoln Park.

The first bison ever born in captivity was born in Lincoln Park. A new Lion House opened in 1912. The Primate House opened in 1927 and was made famous by a gorilla named Bushman (1931-1951).

Marlin Perkins was the zoo’s director from 1944 to 1962. He created a civic mission, the Lincoln Park Zoological Society, to support Chicago Park.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Chicago Zoo ‘s facilities underwent major changes with many new animals and attractions.

In 1995, the Chicago Park District assumed management of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

In 2010, the adjacent South Pond at Lincoln Park Zoo became the Nature Boardwalk to introduce visitors to the pond habitat and native plants and animals.

Attractions at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Illinois

McCormick Bird
House There are about 300 birds representing 75 species in the McCormick Bird House. The aviary is very quiet and not very busy.

Regenstein African Journey
The Regenstein Center showcases African great apes and their surroundings. The Regenstein Center is home to Keo, the oldest male chimpanzee to ever live in a zoo in North America.

Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House
The Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House is 3,000 m² and displays many terrariums with reptiles and amphibians. These include snakes, crocodiles, frogs and other amphibians.

Children’s Zoo
The Children’s Zoo will delight you and your little ones. In the children’s zoo there is an indoor climbing facility for children. Many practical experiences with the animals are shown to the children.

Farm-in-Zoo
Pigs, cows, horses and other domestic animals are shown in the farm-in-den-zoo. Animals can be petted and a vegetable garden can be looked at. Cows are milked in public every day, freshly produced honey and butter can be tasted.

Nature Boardwalk
Near the main entrance there is the Nature Boardwalk, a path that shows the visitor the pond habitat with the native flora and fauna.

Other attractions at the Lincoln Park Zoo include the AT&T Endangered Species Carousel, which features two cars and 48 handcrafted wooden animals. It can accommodate up to 50 passengers at a time.
The LPZoo Children’s Train Ride is also particularly popular with children. A train recommended for children from 3 to 12 years old.

The Café Brauer with beer garden and the Park Place Café, located directly south of the Kovler Lion House, cater for the physical well-being of visitors to the Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo.
The terrace at Café Brauer, Safari Café and Café im Wild Things are also open seasonally. Souvenirs can be bought at the Wild Things Shop and Safari Shop.

Opening hours of the Lincoln Park Zoo the Chicago Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through May. From September to October, the Chicago Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. November through March, Lincoln Zoo hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location & Directions to Lincoln Park with the Lincoln Park Zoo

North of downtown Chicago on Lake Shore Drive, I-94, at the Fullerton Parkway exit is the Lincoln Park Zoo. It is easy to reach by car. There is a public parking lot at the entrance of the Lincoln Park Zoo.

If you prefer to take the bus, bus lines 151 or 156 go to the Zoo-West Gate near the Farm-in-den-Zoo. Bus routes 22 and 36 stop near Zoo West Gate and Café Brauer Tor

By train, take the brown or purple line to the Armitage station, from here it is a mile walk to the zoo entrance.

Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the zoo and every building in the zoo has at least one wheelchair-accessible entrance.

Attractions near Lincoln Park Zoo

Northwest of the zoo is the Lincoln Park Conservatory, a 100-degree greenhouse with a wide variety of plants. Beyond is the Notebaert Nature Museum (17, 2430 N. Cannon Dr.) with many interesting nature areas.

Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo and relax in one of Chicago’s most visited gardens – Illinois.

Address of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois

2200 N Cannon Dr
Chicago, IL 60614
at Fullerton Ave in Lincoln Park
//www.lpzoo.org

Illinois Travel Guide