Plan Your Visit

Zoo Hours

Summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day)

Monday - Sunday: 9am-7pm
Education Building: 11am-6pm
Big Red Barn: 11am-5pm

Spring (April 1 - Memorial Day) & Fall (Labor Day - October 31)

Monday - Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 1-5pm
Education Building: Spring - 1-4pm
Big Red Barn: Closed

Winter (November 1 - March 31)

Monday - Saturday: 7am-3pm, Sunday: Closed
Education Building: 10am-2pm
Big Red Barn: Closed

Admission

Admission to the Lincoln Park Zoo is free, though a donation of $1 for children and $2 for adults is suggested. Donation Tubes are located at each entrance of the zoo.

About the Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo was established in 1935 after the City Council shut down a fish pond in Washington Park. The compromise with the Manitowoc County Fish and Game Protective Association was to start a zoo at Lincoln Park. The first animal the zoo obtained was an elk donated by the Elk's Lodge in 1939. After many years and a variety of animals in and out of the zoo gates, in the mid to late 1980's the Zoological Society and the community debated on closing or upgrading the zoo and its facilities. In early 1990 the City Council decided to upgrade the zoo. A master plan was established to show the community the goals of the City to go forward in improving the zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoological Society was created at this time to help with fund raising and promotion of the zoo. In late 1991 renovations on the foundations of the zoo were done and in September 1992 construction began on the wolf, cougar, bobcat, and bird exhibits. Over the years the zoo has expanded and renovations have continued through generous donations from individuals as well as local and national organizations.

The Lincoln Park Zoo is a great place for the family to spend an afternoon. Located right on the banks of the Little Manitowoc River, guests will see not only zoo animals, but many species of wild birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Lincoln Park Zoo prides itself on quality, natural-looking exhibits for its animals and creating an educational experience for its visitors. Guests can discover the habits of the animals they are viewing and learn how to help the conservation efforts for the animals' wild counterparts.