Family Fun: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Summer Checklist

Lazy River at Como Park Pool, Saint Paul Minnesota

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 no longer necessary as of April  2023.
  • 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 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.

Image courtesy Como Park Zoo
Como Zoo

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:  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). May 7-Oct 2, 2022.

FFTC Team kids enjoy the Como Conservatory Summer Flower Show

Groovin in the Garden Concert Series

The annual summer 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.

Groovin in the Garden - Como Park Summer Checklist
Groovin In The Garden – Great Music and Family Fun

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.


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: Joy has created a handy chart of rides, height requirements, points and corresponding prices here.

Two children giggling on the Frog Hopper ride when Family Fun Twin Cities visited Como Town Amusement Park in Saint Paul Minnesota
Frog Hopper Giggles

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 on the following dates: May 31, June 28, July 26, Aug 30, and Sept 27, 2022.

girl riding cafesjian's carousel at Como Park in Saint Paul Minnesota


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!

FFTC Team kids at Wheel Fun Rentals Mini Golf, Como Park

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.

Budget hint: Families (or groups) of 5 people or more can get a discounted rate of $5/pp.

Como Park Summer Checklist
Como Regional Park Pool

Sparky the Sea Lion

After a few years of hiatus, Sparky the Sea Lion is BACK in her fancy new habitat, Como Harbor. The amphitheater has been enlarged and is fairly well shaded from the summer sun. When we visited on a weekday there were two shows to choose from, 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!

Sparky the Sea Lion Show at Como Zoo

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. May 26-Sept 29, 2022. Weekly, 10am-noon. FREE.

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 in 2022 advance tickets are required. August 21, 2022.

 

Japanese Obon Festival: Como Park Summer Checklist


GET STARTED PLANNING YOUR BEST SUMMER!

Everything under the sun you need to know about family fun this summer in the Twin Cities. Beat boredom and fill your long school break days exploring the best the Twin Cities has to offer in the way of parks, swim spots, community entertainment and local festivals with our Ultimate Summer Events Guide.

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