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ZooLights, The Ultimate Guide

By Paul Biasco | November 28, 2014 5:46am | Updated on December 1, 2014 8:30am
 Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights kicks off Nov. 28.
Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights kicks off Nov. 28.
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LINCOLN PARK — Lincoln Park Zoo flipped the switch on its annual ZooLights on Friday.

Here's your ultimate guide to enjoying one of Chicago's best winter attractions this year.

By the Numbers:

  • 2 million — More than 2 million lights shine each night.
  • 20 — This year marks the 20th year of ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo.
  • 1,000 — the first 1,000 visitors each night receive free holiday specs to make the lights sparkle.
  • 363,136 — The average number of visitors each year over the past three years.
  • 6 million — The total number of visitors over the past 20 years.

Hours and Info:

  • ZooLights will run Fridays-Sundays until Dec. 12. From Dec. 12 through Jan. 4 the lights will be on nightly.
  • ZooLights is open from 5-9 p.m.
  • Special Nights: On Wednesday the zoo goes 21-plus for BrewLights and Thursday is a members-only night.
  • Santa's last night at ZooLights will be Wednesday.

Where to Eat Before?

  • RJ Grunts, 2056 N. Lincoln Park West, a neighborhood classic a short walk from the entrance to the zoo. Grab a burger ($10-$12.)
  • Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, 2121 N. Clark St., one-of-a-kind pizza-pot-pies and grinders. ($23.50 for a full pound pizza.)
  • Riccardo Enoteca, 2116 N. Clark St., a wine bar serving Italian small plates and pizza.
  • Gemini Bistro, 2075 N. Lincoln Ave., offering a three-course prix fixe ZooLights menu ($35) that includes a to-go dessert for your walk to the zoo with cookies, coffee, hot chocolate or apple cider.

How to Keep Warm?

  • Holiday Brew Stop — Grab a seasonal beer from Louis Glunz inside the zoo grounds.
  • Hot Chocolate Quick Stop Cafe — A number of stands throughout the zoo offer hot chocolate, hot cider and mulled wine.
  • Head indoors to the Regenstein small-mammal reptile house and Regenstein center for African apes where you might catch the chimps sleeping on their backs with their hands and feet in the air.

Ice Skating

  • Ice skating returns for its second year at the Farm-in-the-Zoo.
  • Admission is $5 and skate rental is another $5.
  • A full ice rink calendar with hours is available at lpzoo.org.

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