Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Free zoo! They should charge, it’s a donation they ask for but I bet they could do a lot more improvements to exhibits and expand if they had more funds.
Great place to take kids and see a wide variety of animals. I think the best part is the polar bear exhibit, well maintained and two large exhibits.

This place was great! You can’t beat free (A donation is suggested and we were happy to give one). The kids loved it and all of the animals were out. I think my favorite part was the wax molds. I hadn’t seen one of those since I was a kid at the OKC Zoo. So much fun. We will definitely add it to our list of stops when we are visiting family.

what a beautiful experience! the zoo is well laid out and teaming with informative and engaging staff. be sure to check out the conservatory too. the smell is heavenly. i can’t believe it’s free!

It was my daughter’s idea to come see the Conservatory. She wanted to see the Sunken Garden. It’s a lot smaller then I thought. We went on a Saturday which was a bad idea. Since there is no admission fee, the parking lots were full! We came back towards closing and it was still crowded but not as bad.

Woah! So neat! How the heck have I lived here 9 years and not know about this magical oasis!?! In a city that runs cold more often than hot, this place is a must for a winter pick me up. Not to mention, there are so many exotic, tropical plants to see and so many nooks to explore or settle into for a quick rest.
Lovely, lovely, lovely. And there’s a sloth. So that’s cool.

The Saint Paul Como Park Conservatory, built over 100 years ago, is a great spot to take a break from winter and enjoy some green. While technically free, they do ask for a donation when you come in which helps support the upkeep of this tremendous jewel.
In the center you will find the palm court with a beautiful fountain and a large variety of soaring palms. It’s a peaceful spot to sit and reflect. You are also likely to see wedding parties and photographers on Saturdays.
There are two large wings to the north and south. The south wing features a sunken garden and reflecting pool festooned with seasonal flowers guaranteed to brighten your spirit. The north wing showcases a wide variety of tropical ferns, trees and vines with little educational signs to add interest.
In addition, there is a new glass walkway that leads you to the extensive outdoor Japanese garden. Along the way (inside) you can learn about the art of bonsai and view some amazing specimens.
You won’t spend a lot of time here but it’s definitely worth a visit.

Como Park, Zoo, and Conservatory really are a St. Paul gem. Where else can you have a picnic, see wild animals, and visit such beautiful flower gardens? I’ve been going here since I was a child, and then took my own children. I imagine I’ll be going with my grandchildren one day.
It’s so great to have a place to go that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. They ask for a donation, but if you don’t have money, that’s okay too.
There’s so much to see — the gardens and pools in the 1915 conservatory; lions and tigers; gorillas and other monkeys; the Sparky the seal show; polar bears; giraffes. If you’re up for amusement park rides, they’re available. There’s a beautiful park with picnic tables.
Be aware that on nice weekends it gets very, very busy and can be hard to find a place to park. Still, we love the place and are so glad it’s around. If you’re looking for something fun and inexpensive to do as a family, you can’t beat it.

This zoo is always focusing on continually improving their living spaces for all the animals. I appreciate that they still showcase their old cages from when they first opened, my mom and dad remember going to the zoo when those were still used. They truly show just how far this zoo has come, and how they look forward to always improve. All the employees, and volunteers, have always been very helpful, friendly, and professional as well.

Not a bad zoo. Everything serves it’s purpose. Everything’s as it should be; animals are stinky, exhibits are appropriately decorated, and the temperature is just right. Unless its 2 hot or cold. If I had choose between this zoo or the MN zoo, I’d have to go with Minnesota. I’m not hatin on this zoo. this a quality zoo. I’m just sayin that I’m not trynna have my birthday party here.

Conservatory small and poorly laid out. The zoo is sad-​hardly any animals and the animals that are there look very skinny. The animal enclosures are small and not natural at all. It is free but …

Lots of animals and it’s FREE! Organized and easy to get around. The only problem is the bees. The bees are plentiful and always where you want to be.
BRING RAID

2 separate reviews here!
Conservatory: 5+ stars!!! This place is a gorgeous tropical oasis. The plants are breathtaking and I love that there are paths with seating throughout it. I can envision many trips here in the dead of winter.
Zoo: 2 stars at best. I struggle with zoos period, but particularly with ones where animals have such small enclosures. They are gorgeous animals, and I wish I couldn’t see them because that would mean they are living somewhere better than this.
Overall; I love the conservatory and will definitely be back! I will not return to the zoo though.

I am going two stars for a reason. Over all the place is nice. They don’t charge an to enter the zoo. Animals are in great condition. The reason for the 2 out of 5 stars is do to unsafe park benches. I sat down on one and it fell off the sidewalk making me fall down a hill.

Entry is free at least donations though. Staff is friendly. Unfortunately most animals were inside because of the cold weather. I also didn’t see elephants. But its free. And I would consider donating.

Please note: this review is for the Conservatory and Japanese Gardens only. What an amazing surprise to find these lovely gems in Minneapolis. After a day spent apple-​picking in the country, my daughter suggested spending an hour winding down by touring these lovely sites.
Conservatory: If you’ve read your Agatha Christie or ever played Clue, you doubtless have an image of a what conservatory should look like already in your mind. And this conservatory will not disappoint. Built exactly 100 years ago, it has been lovingly maintained and is a gorgeous piece of architecture. When we entered, it offered a warm and humid environment that doubtless helps the plants attain their super-​size (tropical plants reach to the ceiling!). There’s a sunken garden, an orchid room and a rare collection that provides wonderful specimens of plants and flowers from around the world. If you are in the Twin Cities area, especially during the long winter, this would be a perfect vacation for an hour or two.
Japanese Gardens: What a lovely setting for relaxation, enjoyment and perhaps to practice mindfulness and meditation. Fall may be the ideal season to visit the gardens due to the added aspect of vivid colors. Streams flow throughout and the beautifully designed path allows visitors to wander along and across the water at their pleasure.
Admission is free but donations are suggested.

This zoo made me so sad. The gorillas looked soooo depressed and the giraffes were wondering around looking for food, picking at their empty food cage. Over half the animal cages did not have animals, and the other half had animals that were starving and depressed. The spider monkeys were eating rocks on the ground looking for crumbs of food. The ostrich was eating the fence. The animals are Starved and kept in such small living environments; it truly breaks my heart.
I wondered around looking for a zookeeper and could not find one. I talked to a manager, whom did nothing. Service sucked and the animals are not being taken care of properly. I cannot go to a zoo anymore because of how much this zoo negatively affected me, and the fact I cannot change it, breaks my heart.

My boyfriend decided to surprise me by coming here for our three year anniversary. (I love things like this — nature, outside, etc.) I was actually surprised it was «free» (donations are happily accepted). It was pretty clean considering how this is a public space.
If you’re looking to do something different or on a budget, I would say to come here to kill some time. Or especially if you have kids, this is perfect. There’s a carnival right now next to the zoo. It kind of makes me sad because I feel as though it disturbs the animals even more, however, this zoo is very family friendly. I enjoyed my experience here and would come again.

This zoo is just fantastic, reminds me of the MET or the Bronx Zoo on Wednesday — donation prices for a luxury experience. Fine way to spend a Saturday with family, bf/​gf, friends.

I was a little underwhelmed with the zoo. I think I had a bad experience because the parking layout was bad and it was packed (July 4^th) so I was driving in circles for maybe 30 minutes. The conservatory and zoo is free even though they ask for a small donation.
It was really hot that day so the animals weren’t very lively that day. Some of the exhibits were really dark and dingy though and I felt like they could have turned up the AC a little bit.

Great outing. I recommend going on a week day. It gets pretty busy and crowded. Park in one of the remote lots and enjoy the short stroll. The zoo is small and manageable. The conservatory is great. Amazing orchids. This is one of St. Paul’s primary attractions. Should not be missed.

Busy Busy day at the zoo — -glad to see they are continually getting those donations as it helps support having such a spectacular free place to visit if you live in the area. So impressed with the shuttle service — big animal print wrapped buses that take you from fair grounds directly to the front of the zoo… No worries about parking… The hoof animal exhibit is currently under construction so you will not see them right now. The big cats were all hiding and sleeping in the middle of the day. Those primates were out and about though. They have a new little baby in that area you will want to check out. For the amount of traffic this place gets it is clean. Great way to spend some time.

Taken together, the attractions here are phenomenal: Conservatory, Japanese Gardens, Park & Zoo. Truly one of the greatest city parks I have ever experienced. The fact that everything is free (donations happily accepted) makes it even better. Many and more have reviewed this already, so I’ll try to be short, sweet, and focus on specific things.
Park: Tons of pavilions with BBQ grills stretched out over countless acres of rolling green grasses studded with majestic trees. Come here in winter for free Cross County skiing along expertly groomed trails.
Conservatory: Lush, tropical plants in a beautiful setting. Plenty of varieties for the plant enthusiast, and an exceptional Koi pond surrounded by brilliant flowers. A few nice places to get off the beaten path and soak it all in. The Conservatory can get really busy, so if you’d like a more laid-​back experience, go on a weekday if you can. Professional portrait photography is prohibited here without a permit, but you can definitely get awesome shots of the plants.
Japanese Gardens: These are the newest addition, and a beautiful touch. It prolongs the Conservatory experience, and it really feels like there’s something special around every corner.
Zoo: The Zoo is feeling its age, and is not exceptional. Many of the indoor exhibits are sad and run-​down, with the animals penned in run-​down rooms with perhaps a peeling jungle scene painted on the walls behind them. Outdoor exhibits are better, but nothing incredible. There is a kids amusement park attached to the Zoo for wee ones. Though the zoo is not amazing, it is free and right in the heart of Saint Paul so you cannot go wrong. Parking can be a huge headache, so come early or on the weekdays to better your chances.

Free? Hard to believe… great part of the city. The zoo has a nice mix of cool animals, and the conservatory is a nice place to relax and explore the beauty of the plants.
The Carousel was a nice surprise… ending up being the highlight of the trip. Truly a great place!

How can you not like this place its free well seeing the animals and plants and such not the rides!
I always liked this place since I was a pea! they got cute animals here staff is friendly and all that jazz! Its small place the zoo area I haven’t been hear lately just because I believe they have been doing construction adding new things! but I will be here this summer to check it out!
they got a plant home thing going on I am not a plant person so I don’t stop by because first its humid in there second I like big animals not plants lol
like any other entertaining place they got food and snacks over priced of course but whatever!
I give it a ok the only reason why Is because I don’t like the idea of zoo’s animals being in a trap for human entertainment I think where they keep the animals are too small for them and maybe I am being to PETA like lol but that’s just me!
But for the most part for going I recommend its free and the accept donations too!

I can’t believe the price for this zoo is donations accepted!
Great selection of animals!
The best part for us was the polar bears! They were freaking amazing.
The staff was great and we had a great chat with a biology instructor in the big cats area who was so kind to answer all of my daughter’s many questions.

Today I came here and brought a client so I got paid to have fun. The animals posed wonderfully for some candids. Thank you. Sorry you aren’t in the wild in Africa. But here you won’t be poached. Enjoy the winter in Minnesota. This zoo is free but you can leave a donation if you wish. There were some large bills in there so someone left a donation for me. The exhibits are indoors due to being winter here. The tiger and lions looked thin. Enjoyed the gorilla, oranutang and monkeys as they posed for me. The conservatory is beautiful. Wish I got married there.

I wish I could give the zoo and conservatory two different ratings with two different reviews. The best part of both is that they are ran through donations. I love that people can give as much or as little as they want. Some people may not have the opportunity to go to a zoo & conservatory otherwise.
I’m going to start with my review of the conservatory… it was wonderful! The plant life was absolutely gorgeous! I would give it five stars. There were rooms specifically for ferns, Japanese plants, and poinsettias. There were other rooms with more variety. I really liked that there were informative signs and QR codes to scan for even for info.
Sadly, as much as I loved the conservatory, I did not love the zoo. It could be partially due to the fact that I visited in the winter when the animals were inside, but it seemed a bit depressing. I felt like few of the animals had large enough enclosures. I was especially saddened by the giraffe exhibit. They had an adorable baby giraffe, but it just looked pitiful. I found this zoo overall a bit depressing.