Booking choice: The Lincoln Park walking tour, 2 hours. Book this See all the options below
The Lincoln Park Conservatory at 2391 N Stockton Dr. was built in stages between 1890 and 1895. Inside are four glasshouse spaces filled with palms, ferns, orchids and seasonal displays.
The Conservancy describes it as free to all visitors with timed-entry tickets, so the one thing to plan is your slot. Right next door is the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, and the Lincoln Park Walking Tour with Coffee & Treat ends on the Conservatory lawn, according to the listing.
The quick answer
Entry to the Lincoln Park Conservatory is free, but you need a timed-entry ticket booked in advance. It is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. A suggested donation is welcome.
Do you need tickets for Lincoln Park Conservatory?
Yes, but they are free. The Conservatory is free to visitors with timed-entry tickets, which you book in advance.
Reserve your time slot before you set out, especially for a weekend visit. A suggested donation supports the Conservatory; the amount is up to you.
What are the Lincoln Park Conservatory hours?
The Conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
If your trip falls early in the week, plan the zoo or the lakefront for Monday and Tuesday and save the Conservatory for later. Check the Conservancy's website for any changes before you go.
| Day | Open |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday to Sunday | 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Stroll from Oz Park to the Conservatory lawn with a guide, coffee and a treat.
Book thisWhat is inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory?
Four spaces: the Palm House, the Fern Room, the Orchid House and the Show House, which hosts rotating seasonal displays.
- Palm House, completed in 1892.
- Fern Room, completed in 1895.
- Orchid House for orchids in bloom.
- Show House with seasonal displays that change through the year.
What should I wear to the Conservatory?
Dress in layers: it is warm and humid inside the Conservatory all year.
On a cold Chicago day that warmth is a treat, but a heavy coat can feel stuffy indoors. Camera lenses may fog for a minute when you first come in from the cold.
When was the Lincoln Park Conservatory built?
It was built in stages from 1890 to 1895, with the Palm House finished in 1892 and the Fern Room in 1895.
It stands in Lincoln Park, which was renamed for Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and is Chicago's largest public park, close to Lincoln Park Zoo.
A two-hour stroll from the Tin Man statue in Oz Park through the Mid-North Historic District, with coffee and a treat; the listing states it ends on the lawn outside the Conservatory.
Book thisWhat is the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool?
A free Prairie-style garden pool next to the Conservatory at 125 W. Fullerton Parkway, open daily from 20 April to 20 November, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. or dusk, whichever is earlier.
A Victorian lily pool was built here in 1889 and redesigned by Alfred Caldwell in 1936 to 1938 in the Prairie School style. It was rehabilitated from 1998 to 2002 and became a National Historic Landmark on 17 February 2006.
Enter through the Prairie-style Fullerton gate. The east gravel path is partially ADA accessible; the west stone path has steps.
Is there a walking tour that includes the Conservatory?
Yes. According to the listing, the Lincoln Park Walking Tour with Coffee & Treat runs about 2 hours, starts at the Tin Man statue in Oz Park and ends on the lawn outside the Conservatory.
The listing says the route covers Oz Park, the Mid-North Historic District, Lincoln Park and the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond, with a guide, coffee and a treat included. It is not for children under 12, and it is a new listing.
Ending at the Conservatory means you can book a timed-entry slot for just after the tour.
End your morning walk right at the Conservatory doors, coffee in hand.
Book thisFrequently asked questions
Is the Lincoln Park Conservatory free?
Yes. It is free to visitors with timed-entry tickets booked in advance. A suggested donation is welcome.
Is the Conservatory open on Mondays?
No. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the other days.
Is the Lily Pool open in winter?
The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool is open daily from 20 April to 20 November, so plan a visit in that season.
How far is the Conservatory from the zoo?
Both sit in the same stretch of Lincoln Park, so you can walk between the Conservatory and Lincoln Park Zoo easily.
Ready to book
Choose your tour
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option, booked on GetYourGuide.
Lincoln Park Walking Tour with Coffee & Treat
- Local guide, about 1.5 miles on foot
- Coffee and a treat from local venues
- Oz Park, Mid-North Historic District, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond
