Family Fun Day Out at Lords Park in Elgin: Museum, New Playground, Zoo

If you don’t have Lords Park in Elgin on your summer bucket list, you need to add it pronto! Not only is there plenty to do but its totally easy on the budget. Most of it is FREE! Find out what you can do at Lords Park.

Disclosure: A huge thank you to Explore Elgin for partnering up with us to help showcase all the family fun things to do in the area.

Getting started at Lords Park in Elgin

We parked right next to the playground and across the zoo entrance. As we were parking, we saw the bison right away. What a sight!

Hang out at the new playground

The renovated playground is great! There are two mommy and me swings, astroturf ground, a net climbing structure, slides, and a music section. The best part is that if you sit at the swings, you can see the bison as you swing. Pretty neat if you ask me!

Say hello to the animals at Lords Park in Elgin

During the summer, a stop at the Farm Zoo is definitely worth a stop. It’s free (donations accepted!) Little ones will love it! Find a total of 10 animals in the here including pigs, a cow, miniature horses, cute little lambs, and a donkey. Out in the pasture they have 3 bison, deer, and elk. It was really neat seeing the bison up close and personal. Even when the Farm Zoo is closed, you can peek through the fence and find the bison, deer, and elk roaming around.

My daughter fell in love with the white “horsey.”

Have a family fun day at Lords Park in Elgin with a new playground, a museum, a small zoo (with bison!), trails, and more!

Elgin Public Museum

The Elgin Public Museum, a natural history museum, is definitely worth a visit. The natural history museum is a fun way to learn about the history of Lords Park, learn about animals, and more! Make sure to check their schedule for any of the fun programs they hold. We visited a couple months ago when they had a scavenger hunt throughout the museum. Not only did the kids enjoy the hunt, but they learned a few things while do so. AND they scored some great prizes (stuffies to add to their never-ending collection.)

Read all about our visit here.

Tips to enjoy Lords Park in Elgin

Pack a lunch and have a picnic. There is so much space to explore. We liked using one of the many picnic tables located around the playgrounds.
To make the most out of your trip, check the calendar to find tons of mostly free events. Love their lineup!
Other things to do: basketball courts, baseball field, trails, sand volleyball, and Lords Park Aquatic Center.

Final thoughts about Lords Park in Elgin

What a great way to spend a couple hours! Lords Park is definitely a hidden gem.

Nitty Gritty

Website: https://www.cityofelgin.org/1811/Lords-Park-Zoo
Location: 325 Hiawatha Dr, Elgin, IL 60120
Hours: Check website for zoo hours.
Cost: Admission to park and Farm Zoo is free. Small fee for museum entrance.
Parking: Plenty of parking at the lots.
Stroller-friendly? Sure!