FLORA & FAUNA
This…read morefabulous public zoo in Saint Paul is fun, multi-faceted, and FREE!
When researching things to do in the Twin Cities, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory popped up on numerous "best of" lists, including best places to bring kids, best free attractions, and other recommended activities. The family and I came here in early June, and we had a lovely time.
Parking is free but lots fill up quickly and street spots are on a first-come basis, so the longer you wait, the further you'll have to walk. My advice is to get here early to avoid the gauntlet of busses filled with school groups, summer camps, and other families heading to the zoo.
They suggest a voluntary donation of $5/kid and $8/adult; we chipped in $20 for our family of four. By comparison, Brookfield Zoo in Illinois charges $30/adult and $21/kid....the 4 of us would have paid $100 PLUS parking. The Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago is even pricier, so this was a welcome relief.
We saw giraffes, a gorilla, polar bears, zebras, fishes, turtles, colorful dart frogs, a tiger, and lots more. Within the zoo is a small amusement park with a handful of kiddie rides and a 'Galaxy' model roller coaster, as well as a splendid carousel outside the park that's $4/pp. All rides are open seasonally from May-Sept.
The sea lion show seemed mid. They made a big deal of it (not to mention amassing a huge crowd) and all I saw were some volunteers trying to complete some goofy task faster than a sea lion would. There was a lot of narration but very little actual activity from what I could tell. yawn.
We couldn't get anything to eat or drink outside of the visitor center cafe. None of the snack stands were open (despite it being 11:45) and every pop machine was either unplugged, sold out, or all the plastic bottles were removed for environmental reasons. Thank goodness we packed snacks for the kiddos.
The conservatory was breathtaking: lush jungles with funky plants like the Ipecac tree, air potato, chocolate, cacti, and aloe. We encountered a logjam of people near the fruit tree section with everyone stopping to admire fig, papaya, coffee, and sugarcane plants.
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory was home to a legendary 81" tall corpse flower named 'Frederick' in 2025. These plants, considered some of the rarest and smelliest on earth, bloom once every few years and last for only 1-2 days. Witnessing this in person takes incredible (lucky) timing or tremendous patience.
'Horace', their latest corpse flower, displayed his magnificent burgundy bloom from 6/7/26 to 6/9/26. We missed it by less than a week! These generate quite a crowd, with lines stretching for hours and people waiting outside to view (and smell) a once-in-a-lifetime botanical event.
* TL;DR *
A cool zoo, an even cooler conservatory, and the coolest part? You don't even have to crack open your wallet.
Spending a day at Como Park Zoo is perfect for those wishing to embark on budget-friendly adventures. Pack a lunch, wear comfortable walking shoes, and get here around opening to take advantage of decent parking. The animals appeared to be well taken care of, and the grounds were clean.
The conservatory is stunning although the narrow pathways can get crowded during peak hours. We loved our time spent here and would highly recommend Como Park Zoo & Conservatory for families or solo travelers seeking to kill a few hours in the Twin Cities.
