Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

The zoo began humbly in the late eighteen hundreds, with a few animals gathered in the growing park, and grew over the years into a full zoo of big cats, primates, hoofed animals, seals, and more. Much of its historic architecture dates to Depression-era public works, when crews built enduring stone and brick structures that still shape the grounds.

The animals here are cared for as ambassadors for their wild kin, and the zoo has long balanced its role as a treasured local outing with a mission of conservation and education. That it remains free to enter is central to its character, a gift the city has chosen to keep offering so that any family can come.

The heart of the gardens is the great glass conservatory, a classic Victorian-style glasshouse whose central dome rises over a jungle of palms and tropical plants. Wings off the dome hold changing seasonal flower shows, a sunny palm dome, and rooms of ferns, orchids, and other plants that could never survive a Minnesota winter outdoors.

Because it is warm and green inside no matter the weather, the conservatory is a beloved refuge in the cold months, when Minnesotans come to breathe humid, flower-scented air while snow lies outside the glass. The seasonal displays, from spring bulbs to autumn mums to holiday poinsettias, give locals a reason to return again and again through the year.

Beside the conservatory lies a tranquil Japanese garden, a gift rooted in St. Paul's sister-city ties, with a pond, stone lanterns, and carefully raked and pruned plantings, one of the quietest corners of the park. Formal flower gardens spread out nearby, brilliant with blooms through the growing season.

The wider Como Park wraps around a lake with a walking and biking path, an old lakeside pavilion, an amusement area with a historic carousel, and shaded picnic grounds. It is a grand old city park in the tradition of the nineteenth century, designed as a place for everyone, and the zoo and conservatory are its centerpiece.

Summer is the liveliest season, with the outdoor zoo, gardens, lake path, and amusement rides all in full swing, best enjoyed on an early start before the weekend crowds. The gardens peak in warm-weather color, and the park's shade and lake breezes make for an easy family day.

Fall brings mums and turning trees, and winter draws people indoors to the warm conservatory and its holiday flower show while the indoor and hardy outdoor animals carry on. Spring reopens the outdoor zoo in full and fills the conservatory with bulbs, a welcome sign of the season after a long northern winter.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a beloved free zoo and botanical conservatory set within a large, scenic city park. The zoo is home to animals from around the world, including big cats, primates, seals, giraffes, and more, while the beautiful glass conservatory houses lush gardens, tropical plants, and seasonal flower displays. Along with a small amusement area and the surrounding park with its lake, it offers a delightful day for families, and admission is free. With its animals, gorgeous conservatory, and free access, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory offers a wonderful destination in St. Paul, Minnesota.

You can see zoo animals from around the world including big cats, primates, seals, giraffes, polar bears, and others, explore the stunning glass conservatory filled with tropical plants, ferns, palms, and beautiful seasonal flower shows, enjoy the gardens, and visit a small amusement area and the surrounding park with its lake. The animals and the lush conservatory are highlights, and admission is free. It is especially delightful for families. With its diverse animals, gorgeous conservatory gardens, and free admission, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory offers an enjoyable experience in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Yes, admission to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is free, with donations welcomed, making its animals, beautiful conservatory gardens, and grounds accessible to all, a beloved gift to the community. Some features like the amusement rides may charge separately. This free access makes it an easy and popular family destination. Checking current hours before you go is wise, as they can vary by season. With its free admission to both the zoo and the stunning conservatory, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory offers wonderful value for families in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The conservatory offers lush greenery and beautiful seasonal flower shows year-round, making it a wonderful warm escape even in winter, while late spring through fall is best for the outdoor zoo and park, with mild weather and active animals and the amusement area typically open in the warm months. Summer is the peak season. Checking current hours before you go is wise. For the outdoor zoo aim for the warmer months, and the conservatory rewards a visit any season, at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is in St. Paul, Minnesota, within reach of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Minnesota State Capitol, downtown St. Paul, and across the river the Minneapolis attractions including the Sculpture Garden, St. Anthony Falls, and Minnehaha Falls. That makes Como Park Zoo and Conservatory a wonderful family stop to combine with the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Minneapolis attractions, and the other sights of the Twin Cities on a visit to Minnesota.