Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
4.5
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: North Side
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,260 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,058 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
67 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
16
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Keenomanjaro
Croydon, UK179 contributions
Aug 2019
Just a short walk from Lincoln Park Zoo and its parking lots, this is a lovely little oasis of calm, centred around an attractive ornamental lily pond. It's a very picturesque spot with plenty of greenery and a smattering of wildlife, including two black crowned night herons, which we saw poised on the edge of the pond, trying to catch fish. We were greeted by a very friendly lady who explained a bit about the pool and Alfred Caldwell and seemed genuinely interested as to why we'd decided to visit and what else we had planned on our tour of the States. Unfortunately, she neglected to tell us that the pool was closing imminently due to a private function, so we only ended up with a brief visit here, although this was enough to enjoy the serenity and peace from the busy city.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sjoh1963
Woodridge, IL102 contributions
Jun 2019
We often visit the gardenand pool to just have a time to walk slowly and take in the beauty. It is a great place to visit when you want to slow down and reflect. Also a wonderful location for beautiful pictures.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tochi4ever2000
Amherst, NY131 contributions
Aug 2013
Considering that it was free (except for the parking, the first 30 minutes are free at the Zoo parking) it was a must see place. It was nice to see the variety of wild flowers, native flowers, water fountain, lilies, people taking professional pictures for weddings, etc. beautiful and relaxing.
Written August 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catlapinski
Dearborn Heights35 contributions
Sep 2012 • Couples
If you are looking for a beautiful, unspoiled, clean place to collect your thoughts visist the lily pool. There are turtles, ducks, fish, and best os all...quiet. My husband and I stayed for an hour and only saw two other people walking through. It is not croweded so take your time and enjoy. This would be a great photo shoot for engagement or wedding photos. Incredible place for nature photographers and anyone looking for some peace and quiet. There are some very intersting and beautful landscaping features. Definately worth the visit.
Written September 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NormChicago
Chicago29 contributions
Aug 2012 • Friends
A National Historic Landmark – This hidden garden designed in the Prairie style has stone paths, native plants, a waterfall, pavilion and council ring. Alfred Caldwell was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and Jens Jensen. Docent led tour are available on Friday and Sunday afternoons and Saturday from 9:00 to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Lily Pool is open from May thur October.
Written August 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rodrigo V
Guadalajara, Mexico413 contributions
May 2021
If you are around the Lincoln Park Zoo then it's a good idea to visit this Pond, sit down for a little bit to breathe for a second, take a picture and go on with your daily activities.
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
samanthajfindlay
Cazenovia, NY387 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
This is a nice quiet place in Lincoln Park. Right next to the zoo. When we were there we had the place to ourselves which was great. Free to get in.
Written October 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
casabar
Austin, Texas144 contributions
Oct 2015
The Lily Pool opens in May and stays open until Nov. 3 at dusk. You may enter on Fullerton--it is the rather unobtrusive wooden gate, or inside the zoo. There is a pavilion that is a popular photo opportunity, a waterfall that is a hit with small children, and various nooks and crannies that are popular with people seeking privacy for a picnic or a quiet conversation. There are guides at the Fullerton entrance who will enthusiastically tell you about the Caldwell design and the plantings in the garden. Nice break from the crowds at the zoo.
Written May 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jjctraveler
Chesterfield, MO3,926 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
If you are visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo or conservatory the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool Park is like a secret garden. You enter off Fullerton or Cannon Drive North of the Zoo and across from the Notebaert Nature Museum. You can walk through the park in 10 minutes, or linger and take in the tranquility for an hour. It’s not unusual to see small picnics, artists and photographers all in the park. While wheelchair bound tourists can view the park from the entrance on Fullerton, the short trails have steps and uneven rocks so it is really not handicapped accessible.
Parking is horrible, it’s best to take mass transit, there are main bus lines within a block of the park. There is free parking in Lincoln Park, but the streets are narrow and congested and there can be real fights for street parking on busy weekends. Pay parking is very expensive and can also fill up rapidly.
Parking is horrible, it’s best to take mass transit, there are main bus lines within a block of the park. There is free parking in Lincoln Park, but the streets are narrow and congested and there can be real fights for street parking on busy weekends. Pay parking is very expensive and can also fill up rapidly.
Written October 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saf51
Chester, UK304 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We intended to stay 15 minutes and spent a good hour and half here watching the dragon flies and butterflies over the pond. It is very peaceful and beautiful-my favourite place in Chicago.
Written June 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Showing results 1-1 of 1
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing