CONSERVATORY


Polar Bear Odyssey

·Events at Como Zoo and
Marjorie McNeely Conservatory

  • Camera and Artist Day
    June 28 -8:00am-10:00am
    These events are special times when the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is opened during non public hours to allow artists and photographers a chance to bring in tripods and easels, which normally are not allowed inside the Conservatory.
    Cost for Admission is $5.00 per person.

  • Camera and Artist Day
    July 15 - 6:30pm-9:30pm
    These events are special times when the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is opened during non public hours to allow artists and photographers a chance to bring in tripods and easels, which normally are not allowed inside the Conservatory.
    Cost for Admission is $5.00 per person.

  • Sunset Affair
    July 23 - 5:30pm
    Como Friends' annual summer gala celebrates Como Park Zoo and Conservatory as a place filled with wonder and delight! Guests will be treated to rides on the historic Cafesjian’s Carousel, experience the awe of the Blooming Butterflies exhibit, and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while bidding on unique items in the live and silent auctions.  The evening culminates in a multi-course gourmet dinner.
    Tickets are $150 per person. For reservations click or call 651-487-8229.
    * COMO PARK ZOO AND CONSERVATORY WILL CLOSE AT 4:00pm TO PREPARE FOR THE EVENT.

  • Como Park Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival
    August 16 - gates open at 3:00pm
    The Lantern Lighting Festival encompasses Japanese tradition—through music, dance, crafts, martial arts and lanterns. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory grounds will open at 3 p.m., and live entertainment in the Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden and on the main stage will begin at 3:30p.m. Entertainment will include several taiko drumming groups, koto (Japanese sitar), shakuhachis (bamboo flutes), traditional and contemporary dance and singing.  Martial arts, Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), origami demonstrations and a host of other cultural exhibits and demonstrations will line several paths through the grounds.  Japanese food and dozens of culturally-related items will be for sale. 
    Admission is $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children ages 3-12 

    Current Events

  • Sparky the Sea Lion Show
    Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day, Tuesday-Sunday
    11:30am & 2:00pm

  • Como Shuttle
    Saturdays & Sundays
    9:30am - 6:30pm

  • Blooming Butterflies
    June 19-September 7
    Blooming Butterflies is a seasonal, free-standing butterfly exhibit resembling a caterpillar. The Gothic arch style screened structure will encompass approximately 3,000 square feet of enclosed butterfly ‘garden’ space showcasing a colorful variety of tropical annual and perennial flowering nectar plants to sustain hundreds of butterflies. The interdependency of butterflies and plants will be illustrated through the easily observed feeding behavior of butterflies in which the plant gains a ‘pollination partner’.

  • Summer Flower Show
    May 2 – October 4 – 10am-6pm
    The Summer Flower Show displays the greatest plant diversity of any of the Sunken Garden Flower Shows, as well as the longest season.  Roses, Statice, Geraniums, Asiatic Lilies, Heliotrope, New Guinea Impatiens, Petunias and Caladiums are some of the floral features, representing a rainbow of colors, bloom sequence, form and fragrance.

  • Daily Interpretive Talks
    Daily at 11am Keeper Talk
    Daily at 1:30pm Gardener Talk
    Meet the Keepers and Gardeners! Everyday a different topic will be featured and guests will learn about the day to day operations of running Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. Learn about the animals and plants and how they are cared for, plus guests can ask questions.

  • Enrichment
    Primates Thursdays     at 10am
    Large Cats Saturdays at 10am
    Como staff and volunteers develop special activities which stimulate the animals’ curiosity and assist their overall well-being by prompting their natural behaviors.

  • Story Time
    Thursdays-Sundays 12:30pm