Free entertainment and, at the same time, free education. The Lincoln Park Zoo is an extensive collection of wildlife set up in a very visitor-friendly way. Four trails separate the zoo: Blue, Gold, Green, and Red. Depending on your taste of animal, you can choose your tour accordingly.

The Blue Trail passes the Penguin & Sea Bird House, the Large Mammal Habitat (Elephants, etc.), the Bear & Wolf Habitat, the Bird House and the Bird of Prey Exhibition, whose residents (vultures) are some of the most interactive animals with the zoo's guests (they're vultures). This trail is the least decorative, but has the biggest animals.

The Gold Trail includes the Primate House, which is home to all the small monkeys who swing and play in true monkey fashion. This trail also goes by the Lion House which holds all the "Big Cats." There's an outdoor annex to this house, one side lions, one side tigers, and if you're lucky you might see a feeding. Also on the Gold Trail is the Sea Lion Pond, Children's Zoo, Small Mammal/Reptile House (snakes and koalas among other things) and the Swan Pond.

The Green Trail passes the Waterfall Lagoon, Great Ape House and the Antelope & Zebra Area. This area is entirely outdoors, and is a spacious park complete with benches. The area also holds some beautiful viewpoints towards downtown, with flamingos and camels creating a surreal juxtaposition. The Red Trail is the "Farm-In-The-Zoo" area.

Overall, the zoo is just the right size: not so big that you can't see it all in a day yet large enough to have essentially everything. Plus, indoor exhibits are nicely spaced so you're not stuck outside in the heat or cold. There are numerous shops and restaurants, but not an obnoxious amount. Informative and real fun, the Lincoln Park Zoo is a World-Class Zoo and a visit is certain to be a good time, with or without the kids.

Centerstage Reviewer: Adam Payne