Minnesota Zoo

Name: Minnesota Zoo
Address: 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA, Minneapolis, MN, US
Telephone: (952) 431-9200
Rating: 4.6

4.6(15,101) Minneapolis, MN

Directions Website

About Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo offers a well-maintained environment with active animals and friendly staff, making it a great family outing. Its unique value lies in the variety of exhibits and the opportunity to see animals in a more natural setting compared to other zoos.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Family outingsEducational trips for childrenPhotography opportunities for parentsAll ages, with specific appeal for children who enjoy animals and interactive experiencesSuitable for toddlers to teenagers, especially those interested in wildlife

Why families love it

Friendly staff
Well-cared-for animals
Active animal exhibits, especially during feeding times
Indoor attractions available for inclement weather
Nice gift shop and food options
Variety of animal exhibits

Insider tips

Visit during the week for fewer crowds
Plan to arrive early or stay close to closing time to see more active animals
Purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines and ensure entry

Good to know before you go

Weekends and holidays when the zoo is likely to be crowded
Times when specific animal exhibits are known to be closed
High ticket prices
Some animals were not on display
Short duration of shows like the sea lion performance

Crowds: Less busy during weekdays compared to weekends and holidays
Value: Tickets are described as 'VERY expensive', indicating a higher cost than some alternatives, but the experience may justify the price if you spend a full day there. Hidden costs may include food and gift shop purchases.
Food: Food options available on-site, but no specific rules mentioned about bringing outside food
Accessibility: No specific accommodations mentioned, but parents should inquire directly for special needs services
Safety: Well-maintained enclosures for animals, friendly staff monitoring the areas

What parents say

Andy Brinkhaus

5.0

"Great fun! We went during the week so it wasn’t that busy, which was awesome. The staff were all friendly and the animals looked well taken care of with plenty of room to roam. Got some great photos and I’m looking forward to going back!"

a week ago

Graham S

5.0

"Great zoo, spend the whole day here with my gf. The animals were very active on the day, especially the bears, tigers and birds were very entertaining! Really liked some of the exhibits. It wasn’t super nice on the day but there’s a lot inside. They do require you to buy tickets ahead which we weren’t aware of, and it’s VERY expensive, but if you spend a long time like we did, it’s worth it!"

a week ago

Amy Austin

4.0

"Nice walking around zoo, good amount of animals. Gift shop was nice. With some good selection of food. Also got to see a sea lion show, witch was cool to watch but seemed short, hoping it was longer. Nice zoo, not sure if I'll be back but was nice."

a month ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.