Did you know that Minnesota is home to one of the largest free zoos in the United States? If you’ve lived here long enough, you’ve probably been there a time or two! Yes, we’re talking about the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul, Minnesota. This wonderful, free place to visit is home to both a wide array of animals and an impressive assortment of plants from all over the world. Whether you’ve been there a million times or you have yet to visit this place, read on below for a reminder of all that the Como Zoo has to offer:

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory - also known as Como Zoo - is a popular destination in St. Paul, Minnesota. The park covers 14.5 acres and costs nothing to visit, making it one of the biggest and best free zoos in the nation!
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If you've visited the Como Zoo, you know that it is also a huge conservatory. That is, there are buildings dedicated to the care and display of plants from around the world. The Sunken Garden is perhaps the most popular area, with paths bordered by water and plants. It is beautiful!
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Outside, there are even more gardens. There's a serene Japanese garden, a lily pond, and even an impressive bonsai collection - to name a few popular destinations. You could easily spend an afternoon exploring Como's plants.
Kevin Sheehan/Google

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But the animals, of course, are a wildly popular part of the park. There are many different species to be found here that have origins all over the world. Many enjoy taking a peek at the zebras or checking out the giraffes.
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Other popular mammals include tigers, sloths, wolves, orangutans, gorillas, polar bears, and more. With nice walking paths and clean enclosures, it is always a pleasure to visit these animals.
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Beyond mammals, birds such as penguins, puffins, and flamingos make an appearance here. These busy creatures are always fun to stop and observe for a while!
Ricky Bhatia/Google
Reptiles also feature at Como Zoo. You'll find turtles, snakes, and more! These animals scratch the surface of all that is on display at Como Zoo. It is well worth seeing for yourself. And best of all it is 100% free to visit!
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is truly one of the best free attractions the Twin Cities – and the entire state – has to offer. Have you been there? What’s your favorite thing to see there? Let us know in the comments! For more information about the zoo, including hours, attractions, special events, and more, visit their website.  And if you’re interested in other animal parks in Minnesota, check out our past articles about the Ramsey Park Zoo and the Hemker Park Zoo.

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Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN, USA