Minnesota Zoo

13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA

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Related:	hemker park and zoo
Address:	13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
Phone:	+1 952-431-9200
Site:	mnzoo.org
Rating:	4.5
Working:	9AM–4PM 9AM–4PM 9AM–4PM 9AM–4PM 9AM–4PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

A Private User

The Minnesota Zoo is very large but that doesnt make it a good zoo. The zoo doesnt have lions, gorillas, giraffes, zebras, elephants, or rhinos. These are the animals that people want to see. The exhibits that they do have are very poorly designed. Since some animals require large areas to roam, it is hard to see them (tigers especially). The exhibits usually only have two windows to look through while the animals spend most of the time in the back of the exhibit away from the windows. The zoo could easily have walkways above the exhibit looking down or at least have a walkway that goes farther around the exhibit. The Como Zoo has a much better setup for the large exhibits like the lions and tigers. Another complaint is the zoo is very "unproportioned". The best exhibits are near the entrance, but then they have a path that goes by all the huge exhibits. Despite it being a long walk, you only see a few animals. The zoo should move either the aquarium or tropics to the opposite side to avoid boredom. Speaking of the aquarium, it is very small and it not meant to be a full aquarium. They could easily add more fish and species. The parking for the zoo is easy and oddly set up for paying. The gift shop is small and is losing money by not having a lot of stuffed animals. I didnt try the food because the prices. The dolphin show is cool and worth watching. Most animals were resting/sleeping which was unlucky (around 12:00-2 pm). If you are looking for a zoo in Minnesota go to the Como Zoo. If you are looking for a a zoo in the Midwest area, go to the Omaha Zoo in Nebraska. The Omaha Zoo is the closest thing to the San Diego Zoo in the Midwest.

Mick Dutcher

MN Zoo is a favorite day trip for our family. It is a very nice, large, well-designed zoo with plenty for everyone. There is ample parking an it is not far from the highway (I-35). Among some of our familys favorite attractions at the zoo are the Grizzly Coast, Discovery Bay (aquarium), the butterfly house, and the MN Trail (indoors). If you are planning a visit, show times wed recommend trying to target are the Monk Seal feeding, the Grizzly Bear feeding and the Bird Show at the amphitheater. There are a couple of great playgrounds for your kids: Woodland Adventure (smaller and better for younger children) and the Wild Woods play area which is larger and better for older kids with much more climbing. In the central plaza there is a great water fountain exhibit which you will nearly always find kids playing in if the weather is good. Keep this in mind because your kids will see it and want to play in the fountain as well. If you are planning ahead, bring a swimsuit and towels (or else a change of dry clothes). There is a nice set of bathrooms just off the Central Plaza where your kids can change into a swimsuit if you want them to. Theres also a large Imax theater there which is always running a combination of educational films as well as some current movies as well. Wed highly recommend the Zoo for a day trip or as a side trip on your next visit to the Twin Cities. If you are local and could see yourself going more than once in a calendar year, consider a membership. With a family, youll find that a membership is cheaper than paying to enter the zoo twice and then you can take advantage of it as often as youd like.

Wynde Allen

Just went today for the first time. First off, the staff is AWESOME. Super friendly and great with kids. They were always smiling when I saw them. Even if they were asking someone to move or scoot back from something, they were so kind. This is a big deal to me! Yes, the prices are a little high. But the fact that they allow outside food and drinks takes a little bit of the sting out of the high admission price. The zoo itself is very clean. Cleanest zoo Ive been to. There is a LOT to see. It sits on many acres of land which made me happy because the animals all had more than enough room to roam it seemed. So yes, a lot of walking but its so the animals can be comfortable so Im okay with it. Id rather have to walk a bit more than see 2 tigers crammed in a 30*30 ft space. They are missing some of the traditional zoo animals (lions, gorillas, rinos, giraffes) but wow; they have so many animals I didnt even know existed until today! The tropical path was a favorite for sure. I like how most attractions or paths are set up in a circle making foot traffic run smoothly. My ONLY complaint (and this is minor) is the maps they give you are hard to read. I had to ask many staff members for help (which they were happy to help me). Once you get the layout of the zoo, youre good. Pack a lunch, bring in your own bottles of water and good shoes. The Minnesota zoo does not disappoint!

Joseph H.S.A Diedrichs

Caution. Parking fee entrapment .....I have been at MN Zoo several times. I never had to pay for parking until my recent visit.I would not have minded paying for parking if they had a sign at the entrance of the parking lot showing a parking fee for the $7.00. But there was no sign indicating a parking fee . However after parking and walking about a mile to the to the to building to get our tickets at the the ticket booth I was asked if we parked our car at the lot. I said yes we did. The person announced there was a $7.00 parking fee and it was in honor system. I reminded the person they should have put a sign at the entrance of the parking lot and collect the fee with integrity and honesty. I paid the parking fee of $7.00 and decided to save the argument. Unfortunately I felt like it is a entrapment of the management trying to increase revenues with unethical practices.Because they notify the visitor with a parking fee long after the visitor parked and when they are at the tickebooth of the Zoo.At this time it is too late. Hope the management makes a change soon.

Jace Mulcahy

This zoo is a very fun place to walk around and just enjoy the animals bit there is to much unused space where there could be animals and some of the habitats are very small for the animals such as the bald eagle habitat which is way too small for a bird of its size. And also a lot of the birds habitats in general shouldnt be closed they should be able to roam around the tropics trail but its for safety which I can understand. And also If you are going there for the kangaroo crossing DONT WASTE THE MONEY JUST FOR IT because most of the kangaroos are either laying down or way back by the fence where you can barley see them. But enough ranting about the zoo lets talk about the good. Its a well kept up zoo and there are a lot of thing for the young kids and the adults to do as well so its not just limited for just the kids. Also you cannot miss the bird show it is amazing it is vey cool but Im not going to spoil what goes on in the show. And to wrap my review up overall It is a fun zoo to spend a day at with your family.