Chicago Outdoor Activities

Get your daily dose of nature while you're out and about in Chicago. We've taken the time to pick out our favorite nature-friendly places in the city. Now all you have to do is get moving!Your new favorite place to appreciate Mother Nature is right around the corner.

Lions and tigers and bears - find them at the Lincoln Park Zoo. The zoo is one of the nation's only free zoos and it houses about 1,200 animals. The zoo is one of the oldest in the U.S. and has been entertaining families since 1868. Learn more...

Address: 2001 North Clark St., Chicago IL 60614 - MAP
Phone: (312) 742-2000
Web: www.lpzoo.org

Take a dive into the underwater world at the Shedd Aquarium. There are over 1,500 species of fish, marine mammals, birds, snakes and other animals housed at the aquarium. Don't worry about bringing a towel, you won't get wet during this dive. Learn more...

Address: 1200 South Lake Shore Dr., Chicago IL 60605 - MAP
Phone: (312) 939-2438
Web: www.sheddaquarium.org

Get some insight on how a farmer runs the show at Lambs Farm. The farm is a working facility that explains to guests just exactly how things operate on a farm. Take some time away from farm duties to play mini-golf, ride the mini-train or carousel, and pet some furry friends at the petting zoo.

Address: 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville IL 60048 - MAP
Phone: (847) 362-463
Web: www.lambsfarm.org

Stroll through all 385 acres and 24 gardens of the Chicago Botanic Garden. You'll stroll through the Landscape Gardens, Fruit and Vegetable Garden, Heritage Garden, Waterfall Garden, Japanese Garden and the English Walled Garden. These specialty displays are just a few of the sights throughout the botanical oasis.

Address: 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe IL 60022 - MAP
Phone: (847) 835-5440
Web: www.chicago-botanic.org

Monkey around at the Brookfield Zoo! Walk through exhibits like The Australia House, The Seven Seas, and Feathers & Scales that house over 450 species of animals that roam both land and sea.

Address: 8400 31st St., Brookfield IL 60546 - MAP
Phone: (708) 688-8000
Web: www.czs.org

Also...

Millennium Park

Address: 350 E Monroe St., Chicago IL 60603 - MAP
Phone: (312) 742-1168
Web: www.explorechicago.org

Cernan Earth and Space Center at Triton College

Address: 2000 North 5th Ave., River Grove IL 60171 - MAP
Phone: (708) 583-3100
Web: www.triton.edu

Morton Arboretum

Address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle IL 60532 - MAP
Phone: (630) 968-007
Web: www.mortonarb.org

Chicago, IL

Chicago Outdoor Activities

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