Important Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Planning a trip to Minneapolis?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Minnesota Zoo
Zoo and Zoo Exhibit
Apple Valley
"Spring for the membership if you can, definitely worth it"(9 Tips)
"The splash pad area is very popular on those hot days."(3 Tips)
"round windows to the right of the shark tank"(2 Tips)
"Big bugs have been a great follow up to the dinosaurs."(3 Tips)
90 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- membership
- trails
- zoos
- dinosaurs
- concerts
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
K12 IncJanuary 22, 2013Did you know? The zoo's Asian wild horse breeding program has helped bring the species back from the brink of extinction. Herds descended from a Minnesota Zoo stallion are thriving in the wild!
Amanda LakemanMarch 22, 2014Penguins, seahorses, and starfish were my favorite. My daughter's first trip to the zoo and she had a blast! I was so surprised at how much there was to do at the zoo in the winter. Great place!Upvoted Sep 25
Lindsey BenjaminFebruary 10, 2016This Is A Great Place 2 Go 2 With Your Friends or Family & Definitely When U Have Nothing 2 Do in The Wintertime I Recommend 2 Come 2 The ZOO & I Got 2 PET A SHARK🐠 my favorite animals are the monkey
Upvoted 3 weeks ago
I generally steer clear of zoos, but this one does a great job when it comes to animal care. They're also strong in conservation work. The zoo is beautiful and the animals seem happy.
They have an adults only (18+) night monthly. It's a great way to enjoy the zoo without the strollers. Check the website for dates. (Usually a Friday during the winter, Thursday during the summer.)
Nico PitneyJuly 15, 2023“Minnesota Zoo’s new 1.25-mile Treetop Trail, opening July 28. Catch a glimpse of not only birds in all seasons but also the terrestrial residents wandering below, like bison, tigers, and mooseoh my!”
Ken SellersSeptember 29, 2017We did "Animals After Dark Group ZzzZoo Overnight – Bears". Behind-the-scenes tour was good. Sleeping "beside the black bear exhibit" was lame; the bears were locked away.
Debra StaackMarch 18, 2014This is a great place to visit in the middle of winter. It's a great place to let your kids get some energy out.
- The new Kangaroo exhibit is very cool, you get with a few feet of kangaroos. The splash pad area is very popular on those hot days.
The animals move around a lot and are more visible in the outdoor exhibits in the winter. And, it’s less busy.
Sherree DenbySeptember 5, 2022Really well laid out zoo. Lots of shade, comfy rubberized walkways, convenient food and washrooms. Splash pad, carousel, camel rides. Saw lots of animals up close.
Kurt LandisSeptember 2, 2017A very nice zoo to go to. Lots to see and do. The kids thought the bubbling mud pit was cool!
A family membership is a great investment, letting you visit in manageable lengths of time, first shot at summer concert tix and zoo camp -- this place is a treasure
Lane PelovskyAugust 8, 2014Great Zoo. Good for Kids. IMAX theater is big. Be sure to google a coupon. Parking is expensive at $7
TeaganJuly 13, 2017the exhibits here are really cool, the animals seem happy, and the scenery is nice! the moon jellies were my favorite!
Over 20 years I've been coming. The best source of info is the zoo keepers wandering the floor! Amazing stories!
KR ColemanDecember 26, 2011As mentioned, (if it works) buy the season pass. You save $ after a couple visits. You won't feel the need to spend an entire day, make multiple trips when you only have a couple of hours.
I love this zoo. I recommend a membership. Totally worth it.
Rachel LaCountJanuary 2, 2015I love this zoo but it is an EXPENSIVE day out. However it's nicely kept up and there's so many animals. :)
Great place all year round! Busy during the summer and relaxing during the Winter. Take the kids to get their energy out!
- Big bugs have been a great follow up to the dinosaurs. All the exhibits and animals are worth the visit.
- Arielle LenoxOctober 9, 2018Minnesota has a great zoo - it's half inside/half outside so I recommend going before it gets too cold!
Rob VernonJuly 1, 2015A great variety of animals unique to this zoo and many you won't see anywhere else!
Natalya GoncharovaMay 31, 2016Good big animals. However was upset that tram was out, or the ride to the farm family wasn't functioning either.
Jeremy SoltMarch 4, 2012The bird show is great for kids any time of year. In winter it's near the tropics trail. In summer its at the amphitheater.
Great place to visit in all seasons. Try to catch the bird show or a close encounter.
Plan your visit to see bear training/feeding.....the bears respond to colored discs the bear keepers hold..... Very interesting
PezJuly 27, 2013The tigers can be interestingly creepy and fun. They kept pacing back and forth near the visitors. Maybe they're thinking that we're dinner.
Lapakko.comMarch 14, 2012One of my favorite date spots in Minnesota! Definitely buy a season pass and then watch this "Do Your Waddle" video - http://bit.ly/yXFGMH
StuartSeptember 8, 2014Beautiful facility. Grab a coupon online, or use your AAA membership for a discount.
If you plan to visit more than twice a year, invest in a membership. You can apply your daily admission towards the membership fee, too.
Gerald E. NigmaSeptember 5, 2015The annual membership is actually a good deal. Especially if you have a family.
Angela KurtzFebruary 16, 2013Become a member and visit all year long free of charge! Plus discounts on attractions.
Charles EdgeJanuary 16, 2012The grizzly bears, lions, penguins and my wife's favorite, the sharks! My daughter loves the zoo!
At the Grizzly Coast otter exhibit play with the otters by running back and forth in front of the glass. If you're lucky, they'll chase you!
Pack your own lunch. The food offerings are dreadful if you prefer healthy, wholesome AND tasty.
Kimberly UrbanMay 27, 2013Go to Dinosaur exhibit first then monorail second. You get half off the monorail.
Check out the brand new exhibit, "faces of the Africann forest"! Pigmy crocs, red river hogs, 2 types of monkeys, really cool
New penguin exhibit is tiny, crowds were insane. Might get better once it isn't new anymore but it's nearly impossible to get the kids up close enough to see anything.
835 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
To connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife.
Closed until 9:00 AM tomorrow (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
(952) 431-9200
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Free
See More
Places inside Minnesota Zoo
- 8.5
"One of our favorite parts of the zoo. Especially in the winter. Sometimes we like to walk the trail backwards to see things from a new angle."
Tiffany Rupp - 8.5
"We are big fans of @musicinthezoo ! Fantastic ambiance & great acoustics. Can't wait for next summer's line up!"
Ricki Groskreutz - 8.2
"Experience MN up close and personal. The trail is covered but is the same temperature as outside so dress accordingly."
Tiffany Rupp
You might also like
- 8.3
"Bring swimsuits if you want to play in the water. Great for those hot days."
Corina Abbey - 7.5
"Though the path may be long you will be rewarded at the end with ice cream and cute farm animals. It's an educational experience for all. See a cow getting milked and pet a baby goat!"
Tiffany Rupp - 8.0
"You may not need to set up an expensive aquarium. You can see an abundance of fish and coral, and you can view them from above in the tropical forest. You may want to take some pictures!"
Pez
Appears on 110 lists
Hang With Baby Giraffes and Giant Pandas
Created by Foursquare City Guide
40 items • 56 followers
Created by Stephanie Meacham
73 items • 55 followers
Created by Charles Edge
54 items • 103 followers