Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, Minneapolis - St. Paul
Address 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN 55103 Map, Tel 651-487-8200 Call, Website
Como Park is open year round and is a great place to pack a picnic and take the kids for a day trip. It's cozy and well-maintained and free! (donations appreciated).
The zoo is small with a nice assortment of animals and if you love gardens and flowers the conservatory is absolutely stunning to walk through.
Adjacent to the park is "Comotown" which is a small amusement park. Tickets are sold individually or an unlimited wrist band is $16.95. This is aimed at smaller kids. To avoid Comotown, just make sure to pay attention to stay in the zoo area so you avoid disappointment if you don't go on the rides.
FYI- there is also a beautiful historic (built in 1914) carousel near the park entrance that you cannot avoid seeing.. it runs $1.50 per ride. It closes early, so avoid putting it off until last or you might have some disappointed kiddos.
This is a place to go to during the week - parking can be difficult on the weekends.