Welcome Guests September 1-4, 2008

The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory will be lit up every night August 29-September 4. The Conservatory was built in 1915 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Today, it houses over a 1/2 acre under glass featuring garden collections from the tropics to a seasonal flower show that changes 5 times annually. The dome that is light up is one of three domes in Saint Paul including the State Capitol and the Cathedral of Saint Paul.

Each year Como Park Zoo and Conservatory welcomes 1.9 million visitors, making it one of Minnesota's most visited attractions. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is one of only four FREE zoos in the United States. Operated by the City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Division, Como received more than a million dollars in voluntary donations in 2007, higher than any other zoo or botanical garden in the country demonstrating the public’s wiliness to support this public institution. Como Zoo is home to 9 of the 10 "Favorite Animals" according to a recent Harris Poll and features over 13 acres and 25 animal exhibits in the urban oasis in the heart of Saint Paul. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory features 9 garden collections and Tropical Encounters - an authentic rainforest immersion experience. Each year, 1,289 volunteers contribute over 47,000 hours of time to help support the Zoo and Conservatory. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is open 365 days a year and will be open an extra hour from 9am to 6pm each day of the convention to give guests a chance to see all it's features.

In June, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory opened a special seasonal exhibit Blooming Butterflies has extended the exhibit through September 7 to give convention visitors the opportunity to see it. Also due to the popularity, Como will bring back the butterfly habitat back next summer that features hundreds of butterflies in a 2,500 square foot greenhouse, resembling a caterpillar that is the perfect home for plants and butterflies. No where else in the Midwest can guests see a natural habitat with this diverse of a population of plants and butterflies.

See the United Pacific Mini-Train Demo Sunday, August 31-Thursday, September 4.

Media Policy

We welcome media to visit and shoot at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. We have a check-in policy and can assist with parking, please call 651-755-1661.