·FIELD TRIP GUIDE

Please let us know when you will be visiting us! We strongly encourage all groups (Schools, Seniors, Businesses, etc.) that are coming to the Zoo and Conservatory to call ahead of time to let us know the date, arrival/departure times and size of your group, etc. This information will help us when scheduling staff and volunteers for those busy visitor days throughout the year. Please complete the School and Group Visit Notification Form to let us know about your upcoming group visit. (No reservations are required to visit us.)

COMO PARK ZOO AND CONSERVATORY IS OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR!

Winter Hours (October 1 - March 31): 10:00am to 4:00pm
Summer Hours (April 1 - September 30): 10:00am to 6:00pm

We need your help to care for Como's plants and animals. Suggested Donations: $2 per adult and $1 per child

You are welcome whether or not you choose to donate! (Donation boxes are located at Zoo/Conservatory entrances.)

Thank you for choosing St. Paul's historic Como Park Zoo and Conservatory as your field trip destination! We invite you to take the time to enjoy and learn about our many zoo animals and the abundant beauty of our flowers, trees, and plants in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory - many of which are threatened or endangered. We encourage you to use Como Park Zoo and Conservatory as a place of discovery, understanding and respect of nature.

This is an exciting time for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. We have many new additions and amenities to offer:

The Visitior Center is home to the Garden Safari Gifts, Zobota Cafe', classrooms, rental spaces, lockers, and our newest exhibit the Tropical Encounters. The Visitor Center is now the main entrance to the Como Park Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.
The newly redesigned Fern Room and Bonsai Room are waiting to be explored again!
Take a break from your activities and enjoy delicious, cafeteria style food all year long in the new Zobota Cafe (located in the Visitor Center).
Garden Sarfari Gifts is also located in the Visitor Center and offers a wide variety of merchandise with friendly prices. Kid strollers and adult wheelchairs are also available to rent through Garden Safari Gifts 651-487-8222.
How would you like some fun momentos for your group? Try a Gift bag! Each bag contains a fun selection of items and may include postcards, animal replicas, pencils, key-chains, puzzles and more! Zoo Bags are age appropriate and are available in a range of prices from as low as $1.75 to $10.00 per bag. (Orders must be placed 48 hours in advance of your visit.) All gift shop proceeds benefit your free zoo. Call Garden Safari Gifts at
651-487-8222 or email them for more information.
Locker Rentals are available for individuals or groups who do not want to carry coats, bag lunches, or those little "extras" while visiting the Zoo and Conservatory. Lockers are large enough to hold up to 50 coats and lunches and can be rented for the day at a small cost of $10.00 per locker. To reserve a locker, call 651-487-8272. Locker space rentals are considered a booking and therefore fall under the City of Saint Paul, Parks and Recreation/Como Park Zoo and Conservatory standard refund policy.

Options for group lunch space:

Picnic tables are available first come - first serve for the general public in Como Park located across Midway Parkway near the Palm Lot parking lot and Como Town Amusements. Click here for more information on the Como Park picnic area.
Picnic shelters in Como Park can be reserved by calling the
St. Paul Parks and Recreation Parks Permit Office at
651-632-5111.
Any grassy area in public spaces is also available for picnic-style lunches.

Additional Information:

Sparky Shows: Shows are held twice daily at 11:30 am and
2:00 pm and run from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Tuesday to Sunday (If a holiday falls on a Monday, then Sparky's day off will be Tuesday). Sparky shows are held in the Sparky Amphitheater at no cost.
Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden: This garden is open seasonally from May 1 - September 30. Click here for more information on the Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden.
Visitor and Bus Parking/Directions: Parking is free. Click here for a directional map showing main roads surrounding the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Click here for maps of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory grounds and for the location of parking lots, bus parking and bus drop off locations.
Education Programs: Consider enhancing your visit with an Educational Program. Programs teach about the plants and animals of the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in a classroom style setting. Depending on the theme, we have programs specially designed for students who are of the preschool age through high school. For more information call 651-487-8272 or click on our School/Group Programs information page.
Como Planetarium: To diversify your field trip experience, consider adding a program at the Como Planetarium. The Como Planetarium is located just minutes from Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The Planetarium offers programs for kindergarten to high school students. Visit their website at: www.planetarium.spps.org for more information. Please note: The Como Planetarium is not affiliated with the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Como Volunteer Intrepreters: Plant and animal interpreters are on site seven days a week to share with the public their vast knowledge of the Zoo and Conservatory. Click here for more information on Volunteer Opportunities.
Policies: We want all of our guests to enjoy their visit to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Please familiarize yourself with our park policies before you arrive.

Additional Phones Numbers:

Carousel Information - 651-489-4628
Como Town Amusement Rides - 651-487-2121
Como Park Picnic Shelter Rentals (Parks Permit Office) - 651-632-5111
Picnic Pavilion Catering - 651-290-9864
Zooper Foods - 651-487-3653
Visitor Services - 651-487-8201
Zobota Cafe - 651-487-8282
Como Education Programs - 651-487-8272
Locker Rentals - 651-487-8272
Garden Safari Gifts - 651-487-8222