Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park in Chicago offers lakeside views, a free zoo, gardens, history museum, nature trails, and outdoor activities across 1,200 acres of green space.

Lincoln Park in Chicago is the city’s largest public park, spanning over 1,200 acres along the shores of Lake Michigan. Named after President Abraham Lincoln, it offers a vibrant mix of natural beauty, recreational spaces, and cultural attractions. One of its highlights is the Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the U.S., which remains free to the public and houses a diverse array of animals. Close by, the Nature Boardwalk provides a peaceful retreat, winding through restored prairie and wetland habitats, offering serene views and a glimpse of local wildlife.

The park also features picturesque gardens, including the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, a tranquil sanctuary surrounded by native plants and a meandering stone pathway. For those interested in history and culture, the Chicago History Museum sits at the southern end of the park, showcasing exhibits about the city’s rich heritage. Additionally, the park is home to a range of outdoor activities, from sports fields and tennis courts to bike paths and beaches, making it a lively destination for both locals and visitors.

Whether you’re strolling along the lakefront, enjoying a picnic in the park’s green spaces, or taking in a performance at the Theater on the Lake, Lincoln Park is a dynamic space where nature and city life blend seamlessly. 

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Chicago
Navy Pier
In its century of history, Navy Pier has served many functions - from being a training and trading center for the military, and a prison for draft dodgers to its current iteration as a gathering place for family fun.
The Magnificent Mile
Michigan Avenue, commonly called the Magnificent Mile, is the heart of Chicago's commercial district and brings shoppers from around the world.
Millennium Park
Well-known for 'The Bean', Millennium Park is a gathering place for Chicagoans - especially on warm summer nights, when live music and sport overtake the green spaces.
Chicago-style deep dish pizza
No trip to Chicago is complete without trying their world-famous deep-dish pizza. Decide for yourself if you prefer the oozy, saucy Chicago-style, or the NYC thin slice.
Hancock Tower Observation Deck
Visiting 94 floors above the city is a great way to get a bird's eye view of the windy city.
Cloud Gate
Also known as “the Bean” and one of the main attractions in Chicago, this shiny exterior reflects the people moving around the Millenium park, the lights of Michigan Ave., and the surrounding skyline.

Related Tours

The Ghosts of Chicago: Private 2-hour Spooky Evening Tour

Chicago’s haunted past is filled with tales of murder, tragedy, and ghostly encounters. These stories add an eerie allure to the city's rich history, making it a hotspot for paranormal enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. There is a wealth of scary stories to be found across the city and the Lincoln Park area in particular. Join us on a spooky evening tour led by a knowledgeable local guide who will offer a chilling glimpse into the supernatural side of the Windy City.

On your private ghost tour, you will:

  • Spend a captivating evening uncovering the most famous ghost stories associated with Chicago with a knowledgeable local guide;
  • Enjoy a chilling walk through the legendary Lincoln Park, the site of the original City Cemetery;
  • Learn about the Park’s connection to the Great Fire of 1871;
  • Reveal the secret of the scandalous “Suicide Bridge” over the Lagoon; 
  • Get close to the ghosts of Lincoln Park Zoo;
  • Try your hand at being a ghost hunter and see what supernatural phenomena you can find with the help of your paranormal expert guide;
  • Discover the gory details of the notorious St. Valentine’s Day Massacre as you visit the place where it unfolded.


Chicago is home to numerous ghost stories and paranormal occurrences spanning over 200 years. From the infamous Great Chicago Fire to the dark days of Prohibition and the violence of Al Capone and other infamous gangsters, Chicago’s past is filled with tragedies and events that have given rise to chilling ghost stories. On our Chicago ghost tour, you will get the inside scoop on the ghosts that haunt the midwestern metropolis from a local guide well-versed in the city’s haunted happenings.

Your tour will begin in front of the Chicago History Museum on North Clark Street. You will get to know your enthusiastic local guide and begin your macabre journey towards Lincoln Park, widely considered one of Chicago’s most haunted places As you explore, your guide will unravel the dark history of the park, once the site of the city's original cemetery. Over 10,000 bodies are still believed to lie beneath the park’s lush greenery, adding a chilling atmosphere to your walk.

At the Lincoln Park Lagoon, you'll hear stories of mysterious apparitions and strange occurrences near the water, where the spirits of the long-buried are said to linger. Just steps away, the Couch Tomb is one of the few visible remnants of the old city cemetery, and its eerie presence sparks endless speculation about the souls still trapped within. You will also hear the harrowing story of the so-called “Suicide Bridge”, an impressive steel structure that once stood above the lagoon where dozens of tortured souls are known to have jumped to their deaths from the 1890s until it was dismantled in 1919.

Before leaving the park, you will have the chance to stand before the imposing Grant Memorial, a statue said to be watched over by the ghostly figure of former president General Ulysses S. Grant. Your guide will also provide a crash course in ghost-hunting techniques, so who knows what else you may find there.

Once you leave Lincoln Park behind, your tour continues towards the site of the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Your guide will show you where the brutal 1929 mob hit was carried out by Al Capone’s men. This cold-blooded killing left seven men dead, their restless spirits rumoured to haunt the area. Even though no trace remains of the building itself, which was demolished long ago, many visitors and residents still attest to the sense of dread in the air and even sightings of ghostly apparitions nearby.

Your Chicago fright night will end here, and as you part ways with your guide, they will be happy to recommend places to eat, drink, or even see more haunted sites of Chicago if you are so inclined. Whilst we cannot guarantee you will encounter supernatural beings, you will certainly enjoy an unforgettable ghostly adventure with authentic Chicago stories from the darkest chapters in the city’s history.

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