You get what you pay for, and Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free to enter, is a prime example of this. It is decent, but just decent, as far as zoos go. The animals don't seem particularly abused, but neither do they seem particularly settled within their enclosures -- or even happy. It is large, usually crowded and not really worth the trouble. Parking is always a problem, and the place seems dirty and in need of repair (grafitti, litter, etc). In the news not too long ago for having sub-par animal care and a spree of deaths among the animals there... not to mention a personal experience of seeing a dead chick in an incubator in the 'farm' section. Not worth the trip! Go to Brookfield instead!