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Chicago Local Guide
Meet Hazina: See Lincoln Park Zoo's New Baby Rhino, Skip the Parking Headache
Chicago has a brand-new celebrity, and she has tiny horn buds and a big conservation story. Here's how to see her this summer, and why arriving by limo beats circling for a $40 parking spot.
Born Mar 19
2026
FREE
Zoo Admission
$35–45
Lot Parking / Day
~60 lbs
At Birth
If you've scrolled through Chicago social media at all this spring, you've probably seen her: Hazina, the eastern black rhinoceros calf born at Lincoln Park Zoo on March 19, 2026. Her name means "treasured" in Swahili, and after a few weeks of bonding behind the scenes with mom Kapuki, she made her public debut on April 29. She's expected to be one of the zoo's biggest draws all summer long.
Here's the thing about visiting one of the country's last free zoos during its most-hyped season: the zoo itself costs nothing, but getting there and parking is the real hassle. The on-site lot runs $35 to $45 per day in peak season, street parking is a circling game, and summer crowds around Lincoln Park make it worse. That's exactly where a limo or black car earns its keep, and it's why we put this guide together.
Who Is Hazina, and Why Is She a Big Deal?
Hazina is the third calf for 20-year-old mom Kapuki, and her first with 21-year-old father Utenzi. She weighed roughly 60 pounds at birth, small for a rhino, and took her first steps less than two hours after she was born. She lives in the Regenstein African Journey area of the zoo.
The bigger story is conservation. Eastern black rhinos are critically endangered, the species saw a roughly 98% population decline from 1960 to 1995 due to poaching, so every healthy birth is a genuine win. The zoo even named this year's Run for the Zoo "animal ambassador" after the eastern black rhino, and is offering a limited-edition Adopt an Animal package with mom-and-baby rhino plushes.
Best time to catch a glimpse
Young rhinos set their own schedule, Hazina took until mid-afternoon to emerge on debut day. Aim for late morning to early afternoon and give yourself an unhurried window. When you're not the one driving or parking, waiting for her to wander out is part of the fun, not a stressor.
Make a Full Day of It
Lincoln Park Zoo is 49 walkable acres with nearly 200 species, so Hazina is the headliner but far from the only reason to go. While you're there:
- See lions, gorillas, and meerkats just minutes from downtown
- Walk through the historic Lincoln Park Conservatory nearby (also free)
- Visit the Farm-in-the-Zoo with the kids
- Grab lunch in Lincoln Park or along Clark Street afterward
- Pair it with a lakefront stroll or a stop at North Avenue Beach
That kind of multi-stop day is awkward in your own car, you'd pay to park, move the car, pay again. With a chauffeur, you're dropped at the gate, picked up wherever you end up, and never think about a meter.
Why Take a Limo to Lincoln Park Zoo?
It sounds fancy for a family zoo trip, but the math and the comfort make sense, especially for groups, grandparents, birthdays, or out-of-town guests:
- No parking, no fees: Skip the $35–45 lot and the hunt for street spots entirely.
- Door-to-gate drop-off: Rideshares and cars are directed to the West Gate near Stockton Drive and Webster Avenue, your chauffeur takes you right there.
- Keep the group together: One vehicle for the whole family or friend group, no caravanning.
- Comfort for all ages: Climate control, space for strollers and bags, an easy ride for little ones and grandparents alike.
- Flat-rate, no surge: You know the price up front, even on a packed summer Saturday.
Pick Your Ride
Executive Sedan
Couples & small families
Cadillac Escalade
Families, 5–6 guests
Sprinter Van
Groups, 10–14 guests
Skip the Parking. Start the Day at the Gate.
Book a flat-rate ride to Lincoln Park Zoo and let us handle the driving, parking, and pickup, so you can focus on meeting Hazina.
Plan Your Visit: Hours, Cost & Drop-Off
A few practical notes to make the day smooth (always double-check the zoo's site before you go, hours shift seasonally):
- Admission: Free, every day of the year.
- Summer gate hours (May 23–Sep 7): Gates open 8 a.m.; buildings open 10 a.m.; gates close around 5 p.m. weekdays (later on weekends).
- Parking lot: Entrance at Fullerton Parkway & Cannon Drive (2400 N. Cannon Drive); free for the first 30 minutes, then about $35–45/day.
- Drop-off & pickup: The zoo directs cars and rideshares to the West Gate near Stockton Drive & Webster Avenue.
- Where Hazina lives: Regenstein African Journey.
Sample Limo Rates Around Chicago
Our event and day-trip rides are flat hourly rates, no surge and no parking fees rolled in. Final quote is confirmed at booking.
| Vehicle | Hourly Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Sedan | $80 / hr | Couples, solo, grandparents |
| Standard SUV | $95 / hr | Small families |
| Cadillac Escalade | $120 / hr | Larger families, comfort |
| Sprinter Van | $150 / hr | Groups (3 hr min) |
Rates may vary by date, group size, and demand. See full pricing on our Chicago limo costs page.
Lincoln Park Zoo Limo FAQ
Where will the limo drop us off at the zoo?+
The zoo directs cars and rideshares to the West Gate near Stockton Drive and Webster Avenue. Your chauffeur drops you right there and coordinates a pickup spot for when you're done, no walking from a distant lot.
Is it really cheaper than driving and parking?+
For a group it often is once you factor in $35–45 parking, gas, and time spent circling, plus you get door-to-gate service and no stress. For families and out-of-town guests, the comfort alone is usually worth it.
Can you wait and pick us up after?+
Yes. We can do a timed pickup or stay on an hourly booking if you want flexibility to add stops, lunch on Clark Street, the conservatory, or the lakefront.
Do you have room for strollers and car seats?+
Absolutely. Our SUVs and Sprinter vans have plenty of room for strollers, bags, and family gear. Let us know your needs when booking and we'll match the right vehicle.
How far ahead should I book a summer weekend?+
Summer weekends in Lincoln Park are busy. We recommend booking a few days to a week ahead, though we'll always try to accommodate last-minute requests when we can.
Treasure the Day, Not the Parking Stress
Hazina won't be tiny forever. Book a flat-rate Chicago limo to Lincoln Park Zoo and make the whole trip part of the experience, from your door to the West Gate and back.
Details like hours, parking rates, and animal viewing are based on publicly available information as of mid-2026 and can change, please confirm with Lincoln Park Zoo before your visit. All Star Limo Service is not affiliated with Lincoln Park Zoo.
All Star Limo
All Star Limo offers reliable Chicago limo service and black car transportation for airport transfers, corporate travel, and special events across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Travel in comfort with our professional chauffeurs and luxury fleet of sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans.
