What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 4pm Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 10am - 6pm

Como Friends

We inspire community generosity in support of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory so it thrives.

05/31/2026

Members Get More at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory!

Thank you to our cherished members and supporters for joining us at our Special Access Blaze Credit Union Sparky Show yesterday morning at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to our Education team, volunteers, zookeepers, and Visitor Services staff for all their hard work in making this event such a success. Your dedication helps create memorable experiences for our supporter every day.

Not a member of Como Friends yet? As a member of Como Friends, you carry on a century-long tradition of community support for Como, providing the extra resources the historic Como Zoo and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory need to grow and thrive. Become a member today: https://bit.ly/3uhPxVl

Senior Citizens are eligible for $10 off any level—just click on “Senior Membership.”

Visit https://bit.ly/4p0Elq9 to learn more about all of Como Friends’ events.

05/30/2026

Experience part two of the the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Spring Flower Show, now through June 7.

Designed by Marjorie McNeely Conservatory horticulturist Bo Akinkuotu, the display features rich colors in high contrast, and a host of unusual flowers. Peachy orange blooms like Asiatic lily ‘Lava Joy’, calla lily ‘Havana’, hibiscus ‘Orange Sunset’, and peach-colored begonias were chosen to contrast with deep blue verbena, lobelia, and fragrant heliotrope. Visitors will also notice a few scene-stealers mixed in with more traditional choices. https://bit.ly/4wgbDpL

Thanks to your support Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is able to host five seasonal flower show each year.

The Sunken Garden will be closed for maintenance June 21 – July 8, 2026

05/29/2026

Happy Belated 10th birthday to Poppy!

Poppy arrived at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in May 2017 and has become a visitor favorite thanks to her playful personality and energetic performances.

You can catch Poppy during Como’s Blaze Credit Union Sparky & Friends Show every day at 11:30 AM and 2:30 PM.

Every gift you give helps provide the highest level of care to the animals who call Como Zoo home. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3OepWdk

05/25/2026

May the memory of our fallen heroes inspire us to cherish and protect the freedoms they fought for on this Memorial Day. We wish you a peaceful day of remembrance with your friends, family and loved ones.

Poppies, a symbol of remembrance, grown in the greenhouse at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory by Horticulturist Rylee Werden now on display in the Exhibit Gallery.

The red poppy’s history of remembrance is rooted in World War I. In 1915, bright red corn poppies flourished in the devastated, churned-up soils of the Western Front. The poignant sight inspired Canadian doctor John McCrae to write the famous poem "In Flanders Fields," establishing the flower as an enduring global symbol of military sacrifice. Source: Imperial War Museum

05/24/2026

The Water Gardens are slowly waking up for the season at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.

Marjorie McNeely Conservatory Horticulturist Victoria, the horticulture team, and a wonderful group of volunteers have been hard at work preparing the lilies and pools for their summer return—one of the most iconic and quietly beautiful parts of Como this time of year.

Soon the water’s surface will be scattered with floating green pads and soft blooms opening to the sun, transforming the gardens into a place of stillness and reflection in the middle of the city. Dragonflies will skim the water again, frogs will disappear beneath the leaves, ducks will bring their ducklings, and visitors will linger a little longer along the paths.

Throughout Minnesota’s ponds and lakes, and beneath all of that beauty is a living system at work—native lilies shading and cooling the water, sheltering aquatic life, and helping maintain the delicate balance of the ponds themselves.

Every summer, the Water Gardens become part of the magic of Como—a destination woven into memories, traditions, and quiet moments of wonder. We’re looking forward to welcoming them back once again.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is free and accessible to all, 365 days a year with your support. Thank you! https://bit.ly/3OepWdk

05/22/2026

What an unforgettable evening at Como After Hours!

The night was filled with warmth, wonder, and the incredible sense of community that makes this adults-only fundraising event so special year after year. From the beauty of the gardens to the joy of spending extra cozy time with the animals—including sweet moments with our newest sloth baby—the entire evening was truly magical.

See more photos from this lovely night, and save the date for our next Como After Hours on Thursday, October 22, 2026: https://bit.ly/4a44hw6

We are endlessly grateful to our fabulous volunteers, educators, zookeepers, horticulturists, events team, maintenance and visitor services whose passion and care make Como Park Zoo & Conservatory such a beloved place for our community. A very special thank you to Mayor Kaohly Her and her Saint Paul team for joining us and sharing such heartfelt and eloquent words about the importance of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to the people of Saint Paul and beyond.

To every guest, donor, and supporter who joined us for this special evening—thank you. Your generosity helps care for the animals, sustain the gardens, and preserves the free admission that makes Como Park Zoo & Conservatory a treasured community space for all. We are deeply grateful for your support and for helping make the magic of Como shine so brightly. https://bit.ly/4wJqGss

A huge thank you to our amazing partners and sponsors at Sunrise Banks and Lancer Hospitality for helping make the evening possible. And thank you to Delia’s Mexican Grill, Kennys Meatball Wagon, and La Michoacana Monarca for the delicious food and sweet treats that added even more joy to the night. https://bit.ly/49Pca8D

Curious about who won the ugliest plant contest? Horticulturist Victoria tallied the votes, and the winner is konjac!

05/21/2026

What an unforgettable evening at Como After Hours!

The night was filled with warmth, wonder, and the incredible sense of community that makes this adults-only fundraising event so special year after year. From the beauty of the gardens to the joy of spending extra cozy time with the animals—including sweet moments with our newest sloth baby—the entire evening was truly magical.

We are endlessly grateful to our fabulous volunteers, educators, zookeepers, horticulturists, events team, maintenance and visitor services whose passion and care make Como Park Zoo & Conservatory such a beloved place for our community. A very special thank you to Mayor Kaohly Her and her Saint Paul team for joining us and sharing such heartfelt and eloquent words about the importance of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory to the people of Saint Paul and beyond.

To every guest, donor, and supporter who joined us for this special evening — thank you. Your generosity helps care for the animals, sustain the gardens, and preserve the free admission that makes Como Park Zoo & Conservatory a treasured community space for all. We are deeply grateful for your support and for helping make the magic of Como shine so brightly. https://bit.ly/4wJqGss

We can’t wait to gather together again on October 26th for our fall Como After Hours! https://bit.ly/47aGSb9

A huge thank you to our amazing partners and sponsors at Sunrise Banks and Lancer Hospitality for helping make the evening possible. And thank you to Delia’s Mexican Grill, Kennys Meatball Wagon, and La Michoacana Monarca for the delicious food and sweet treats that added even more joy to the night. https://bit.ly/49Pca8D

05/20/2026

Join Como Friends for a night with St. Paul Saints Baseball on Friday, June 5! First pitch is at 7:07 PM.

As Xcel Energy Minnesota’s nonprofit partner for the evening, Como Friends will be part of all the fun—including a special Como “celebrity” throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. You won’t want to miss the big reveal!

Tickets are just $25 and include:
• Your game ticket
• An exclusive Saints group hat
• A $5 donation to Como Friends in support of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

And the fun doesn’t stop there—it’s Fireworks Friday, featuring a spectacular Star Wars-themed fireworks show after the game!

Purchase your tickets for a memorable summer night at the ballpark as we cheer on our hometown team and celebrate the community spirit that makes Como and Saint Paul so special. https://bit.ly/43k7m7v

05/19/2026

Como After Hours is tonight!

Our casual adults-only (21+) fundraising event is here, and things are getting extra cozy with a new baby, sleepy sloth snuggles, and all the warm community vibes we love so much. Rain or shine, we can’t wait to spend the evening with our incredible community of supporters. Thank you for supporting the animals, gardens and free admission we all love at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. We’re so grateful for each and every one of you. See you soon!

Thank you to our amazing partners and sponsors at Sunrise Banks and Lancer Hospitality. A big thank you to Delia’s Mexican Grill, Kennys Meatball Wagon, and La Michoacana Monarca for providing delicious meal and dessert options.

05/14/2026

See Washed Ashore
Starting May 18 | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Before it goes out with the tide, come to Como to experience the powerful art exhibit The Washed Ashore Project, here for the summer months. This limited-time traveling exhibit features super-sized sculptures of animals and sea life, all made out of debris collected from ocean beaches to call attention to the problem of plastic pollution. https://bit.ly/48PWykN

Address

1225 Estabrook Drive
Saint Paul, MN
55103

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 6pm
Sunday	10am - 6pm

Website

http://www.comofriends.org/

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