1 / 3Kovler Seal Pool
đ Lincoln Park, IL
Open-air habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo housing grey and harbor seals with naturalistic rockwork and artificial kelp. Underwater viewing hall provides close-up views during and between daily positive-reinforcement training sessions.
đ Family Action Verdict
Free entry makes this one of the strongest value stops at Lincoln Park Zoo for families of any size. Young children are drawn to seals approaching the glass in the underground viewing hall - an up-close encounter that holds attention for significantly longer than an outdoor-only exhibit.
âšī¸ What to Know Before You Go
đŦ What Families Are Saying
View all reviews â38 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Johnette Espinoza
10 months ago
âThe seals were so loves! They were swimming around happy they loves to swim up to the glass and pop their head out of the poolâ
Lincoln
10 months ago
âSeeing seals for free. It doesn't get much better than thisâ
Jonathan Douglas
5 years ago
âThe pond is always a popular attraction as it's so neat to watch the playful seals swim around. The underwater viewing hall gives the best glimpses when the training sessions are not being conducted, plus the area is nicely shaded and air conditioned during the summer months. The training sessions that occur a few times a day are interesting as they explain how they rehabilitate the animals and keep them learning new things for their continued development.â
đŦ What parents mention
Overview
The Kovler Seal Pool at Lincoln Park Zoo features a naturalistic outdoor habitat with artificial kelp, rocky ledges, and an underground viewing hall with large viewing panels. Grey and harbor seals swim freely between the surface pool and underwater spaces. Daily training sessions led by learning interpreters use positive reinforcement techniques. Evening underwater lighting creates a different viewing experience after dark.
