Summer can be a very popular time to visit Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Yes, you might have to fight a few crowds — especially on the weekends — but the attractions are, in our opinion, worth it. Summer season finds Como is at its best with carousel rides, live music, lawn games, summer blooms and more. To help make the most of your visit, we’ve created this handy Como Park Zoo “Summer Checklist”. A few important things to note.
General tips for visiting Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- ADMISSION to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is always FREE. Donations ($4 for an adult and $2 for a child) are encouraged and help to care for the amazing animal and plant life. There are donation boxes at the two entrances.
- RESERVATIONS are not necessary.
- FOOD & SNACKS are sold indoors (Zoobota Cafe) and outdoors (Pier 56 – fast food). If you prefer, it is permitted to bring in your own food but there is limited seating. Call ahead! The Cafe is not open every day.
Como Park & Zoo Summer Checklist:
☑ Visit the zoo animals
Popping in on all the resident animals at Como Zoo is a year-round activity, of course, but we think summertime is the best chance you’ll get of observing them active and outdoors. If you’re new to Como Zoo, some of the animals you can hope to see include a variety of primates, big cats (including a lion and tiger), a large polar bear habitat, seals and sea lions, giraffes and zebras, an indoor tropical rainforest walk-through and lots more. You can find a complete listing of Como Zoo resident animals here.
☑ Visit with Sparky the Sea Lion
Sparky the Sea Lion performs twice daily at Como Harbor. The newly enlarged amphitheater offers a fairly well shaded break from the summer sun. Shows are traditionally offered at 11:30am & 2:30pm. You’ll want to arrive a little early to get a seat. It’s a short, mostly educational show, but super fun to watch the seals and sea lions show off. My kids love it! Daily, May 23 – September 7, 2026.Â
☑ Feed the Giraffes
Como offers an opportunity for visitors to come nose-to-nose giraffes at its popular Giraffe Feeding Station. For a small fee, feed Como’s giraffes and get some awesome photo of the kids next to the tallest animals on earth. $5/pp (credit cards only). Open May 23 – September 7, 2026.
☑ Learn about conservation and wildlife during daily zookeeper programs
Every day, Como zookeepers offer a full schedule of free daily programs, including Polar Bear Programs, Gorilla Programs, Tiger Talks, Gardener Chats, Water Garden Wonders, and Washed Ashore Sea Stories.
☑ Explore the public art
Speaking of Washed Ashore Sea Stories, Como adds Washed Ashore — the amazing summer exhibit of giant sculptures made from recovered ocean plastics — to its art and sculptures throughout the park. Washed Ashore is up through Labor Day in 2026.
☑ Take in the Summer Flower Show
The beautiful Marjorie McNeely Conservatory bursts with colorful blooms during the annual Summer Flower Show. Your kids will be delighted with the trickling fountains and fishponds. There are rotating flower shows on display all year long at the Conservatory so if a summer visit isn’t in the cards, a winter trip will warm you right up.
Family-Friendly tips:Â Fill your water bottles before heading in. It’s beautiful but it is WARM (think vaguely tropical rainforest). You’ll be happy to have cold water to sip. If crowds are low, it’s possible to get some quick informal pictures of your kids enjoying the flowers. We picked a Tuesday and had the sunken garden almost to ourselves at one point (but no guarantees). June 12 through September 13, 2026.
☑ Pack a picnic and enjoy the park
Como Regional Park is expansive with a large play area not too far from the zoo, picnic areas and grills. There are even three fire rings available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Enjoy a lazy afternoon picnic during your visit to Como Zoo.
☑ Get groovy in the garden during the annual summer concert series
The annual Groovin’ in the Garden concert tradition brings live bands to the grounds in front of the Conservatory Wednesday evenings. Food, treats and drinks are available for purchase or pack a picnic and bring a blanket along for a summer dinner with music. Each week, there is entertainment for children included in the evening. In past years, this has included a bounce house, lawn games and a climbing wall. Please see the website for more information about weekly offerings.
Learn more: Find the more information and other FREE summer concerts here.
☑ Explore the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden
Did you know that Nagasaki, Japan is a sister city to Saint Paul? Take advantage of the warm summer weather and meander through this beautiful garden that symbolizes peace. Its tranquil paths, plants and rock bridges may even chill out your kids! Open daily with Conservatory hours.
Make it a Story Break? Bring along A Bowl Full of Peace by Caren Stelson, one of our many talented, local authors of children’s books. This book and its upper grades companion book, Sachiko, also by Caren Stelson, tell the true story of a young girl who survived the WWII bombing.
☑ Get your thrills at Como Town Amusement Park
Had enough tranquility? Head next door. Como Town Amusement Park offers a great mix of rides and attractions that will appeal mainly to kids ages 2-12. They range from the extra-gentle choo-choo train to the Tiger Trax junior roller coaster (and we even know a few adults who really enjoyed the Soaring Eagle zip line). It’s also possible to purchase points to play in Hodge-Podge park with its flashy splash pad.
Family-Friendly tip: Learn more about Como Town here.
☑ Take a spin on Cafesjian’s Carousel
Take a spin on the beautiful antique Cafesjian’s Carousel – $3 per rider over 1 year, Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. FREE rides are offered monthly.
☑ Play a round at Wheel Fun Rentals Mini Golf
Play a round of mini golf. The course is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Mon-Sat: 10am-10pm and Sun: 11am-9pm. Choose to play either 9, 18 or 27 wholes. Prices range from $6-$12/pp depending on age and number of holes played.
Check It Off: If you are working through our list of our list of our favorite Mini Golf Courses in the Twin Cities, you’ll be able to check this one off your list!
☑ Splash and play at Como Regional Park Pool
The pool is a bit of a distance from the zoo, but could be worth the walk (or drive) for a little swim time fun! To tempt you this summer: a lazy river for tubing, an exciting zip line, climbing wall, diving well, and a big splash pool and play area for little swimmers. Prices range from FREE (for kids under 2) to $7/pp. Tot Times are Sundays from 9:30-11am and are only $4/pp for children 6 and under and their supervising adults. Open June 13 through August 26, 2026.
Budget hint: Families (or groups) of 5 people or more can get a discounted rate of $5/pp.
☑ Explore the Zoo with Pre-Ks on Thursdays
Como Lil Explorer Thursdays now run year-round. This preschool program brings weekly themed activities to the 4-and-under set. Think sand tables, sponge painting, worm digs and interactive storytimes. My kids have all grown up attending this program and adored it. See Upcoming Themes on our Family Fun Calendar Here. Weekly, 10am-noon. FREE.
☑ Cap off the summer with the Como Park Japanese Obon Festival
This annual event brings a collection of Japanese music, dancing, drumming, martial arts and other aspects of the culture to Como. At dusk, lanterns are lit throughout the garden as a symbol of peace. Admission is $3-5/pp and advance tickets are required. Mid-August.
☑ Ride the Zoo Bus on Weekends
On weekends during the summer months, Como offers a free park-and-ride shuttle that delivers riders right to the front entrance of the zoo. Park at the staffed lot at 1930 Como Avenue and hop a shuttle within minutes. Not only is this so much easier for the driver, who doesn’t have to search for parking, kids will love the zoo-themed buses used for transporting visitors. Weekends 9:45am-6pm. May 23-August 23, 2026.
