Minnesota Zoo

http://www.mnzoo.com/
13000 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-431-9200

Hours: Open 9am daily, closing times vary;
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day;
See website for detailed hours
Minnesota Zoo passes *will* be available through Labor Day 2009

Experience grizzly bears, sea otters, tigers, monkeys and more at the Minnesota Zoo 363 days a year. The Zoo features a tropical rain forest, marine center, northern tundra, woodland forest and family farm. Don't miss the new Russia's Grizzly Coast exhibit and the popular Medtronic Minnesota Trail. With more than 2,000 spectacular animals from around the world, you're bound for a new adventure on every visit!

Exclusive Museum Adventure Pass Offer

Receive a limited edition "Museum Adventure Pass presented by Macy's" book bag when you purchase a membership on the day of your visit

Passes are limited to general exhibit admission only. Passes may not be applied towards educational and group tours. Special exhibitions and other attractions may not be covered, and other restrictions may apply.

Please visit http://www.mnzoo.com/ for specific exhibition information.

Learn more about it at your metro public library

All Ages

Animal Talk: Breaking the Codes of Animal Language
Tim Friend, Free Press, 2004
In the Shadow of Man
Jane Goodall, Mariner Books, 2000
Conservation International, Biodiversity Hotspots
website: www.biodiversityhotspots.org
Natural Wonders of Minnesota: Exploring Wild and Scenic Places
Martin Hintz, NTC/Contemporary, 2000
Life of Mammals Series
David Attenborough, BBC Warner, 2003 (DVD or VHS sets)
Critters of Minnesota Pocket Guide
Ann E. McCarthy, Adventure Publications, 2000
Venomous Snakes of the World
Mark O'Shea, Princeton University Press, 2005
Mammals of Minnesota Field Guide
Stan Tekiela, Adventure Publications, 2005
Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota Field Guide
Stan Tekiela, Adventure Publications, 2003
A Naturalist and Other Beasts: Tales from a Life in the Field
George B. Schaller, Sierra Club Books/University of California Press, 2007
Life at the Zoo: Behind the Scenes with the Animal Doctors
Phillip T. Robinson, Columbia University Press, c2004
Babylon's Ark: The Incredible Wartime Rescue of the Baghdad Zoo
Lawrence Anthony with Graham Spence, Thomas Dunne Books, c2007
Zoo Tracks Online Newsletter
(needs PDF reader) website: http://www.mnzoo.com/zootracks
Birds of Minnesota: Field Guide
Stan Tekiela, Adventure Publications, Inc., 2004, 1998
Minnesota: A History of the Land
DVD, University of Minnesota, College of Natural Resources: Twin Cities Public Television, c2005
Natural Wonders of Minnesota: Exploring Wild and Scenic Places
Martin Hintz, Country Roads Press, 2000
Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior
Temple Grandin, Scribner, 2005
Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think
Marc D. Hauser, Henry Holt, 2000
The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide
F. Cooke and Jenni Bruce, et al, University of California Press, 2004

Kids

Ocean Babies
Deborah Lee Rose, National Geographic Children's, 2005
Baby Noah: Animal Expedition
Walt Disney Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Video, 2004 (DVD)
Let's Find It!: My First Nature Guide
Katya Arnold, Holiday House, 2002
Out and About at the Zoo
Kathleen W. Deady, Picture Window, 2003
I Love Animals (Little Bill videocassette)
Nick Jr., Bill Cosby, Paramount, 2002
At the Zoo!: Explore the Animal World with Craft Fun
Judy Press, Williamson, 2002
Snakes!: Strange and Wonderful
Laurence P. Pringle, Boyds Mills, 2005
Shark Life: True Stories About Sharks and the Sea
Peter Benchley, Delacorte, 2005
Everything Horse: What Kids Really Want to Know About Horses
Marty Crisp, NorthWord, 2005
Ocean
Miranda MacQuitty, Gardners, 2004
Outside and Inside Big Cats
Sandra Markle, Atheneum, 2002
Oh, Yuck!: The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty
Joy Masoff, Workman, 2000
Bats, Blue Whales, and Other Mammals
Steve Parker, Compass Point, 2005
Snakes
Susan Schafer, Benchmark, 2003
Zoobooks Magazine (Juvenile periodical)
Wildlife Education Ltd, Current
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Bill Martin Jr., Mantra, 2003 (Found in various formats and languages)
Lunch at the Zoo: What Zoo Animals Eat and Why
Joyce Altman, Henry Holt and Co., 2001
A Trip to the Zoo
Karen Wallace, Dorling Kindersley Pub., 2003
My Life as a Chicken
Ellen A. Kelley, Harcourt, Inc., 2007
The Zoo
Suzy Lee, Kane/Miller, 2007
Dear Zoo
Rod Campbell, Holiday House, 2003
Grizzly Bears
Gail Gibbons, Holiday House, 2003
A Room with a Zoo
Jules Feiffer, Michael de Capua Books/Hyperion Books for Children, 2005
Zoo's Who: Poems and Paintings
Douglas Florian, Harcourt, 2005
Zany Zoo
William Wise, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006
Animal Strike at the Zoo, It's True!
Karma Wilson, HarperCollins, 2006
A Pair of Polar Bears: Twin Cubs find a Home at the San Diego Zoo
Joanne Ryder, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006
Signing time Vol. 9, The Zoo Train
DVD, Two Little Hands Productions, 2005
A Bear Named Trouble
Marion Dane Bauer, Yearling, 2005
A Walk Through the Minnesota Zoo
Jeanne Melich Gangelhoff and Gene Gangelhoff, G J & B Pub., 1993

Tell Us About Your Adventure

If you visited Minnesota Zoo, we'd love to hear about your experience.

Tell Us About Your Adventure!

May 29 '09 Africa! This was an amazing experience that amazed me just as much as it did my daughters, who are 3 and 17 months! Being so close to these beautiful animals is truly a gift!
Apr 11 '09 We had an excellent adventure at the Minnesota Zoo. The weather also was amazing. My Two year old daughter had so much fun petting and feeding the animals at the "Family Farm" and riding the wagon ride. The walk back to the Zoo's main building was a quite one as my exhausted baby slept happily snuggled up in the zoo stroller. We had an excellent time and I would highly recommend it to children of all ages. We have also checked out Children's Museum passes many times too. Each time also having a toddler blast exploring the many rooms and exhibits. We loved Birdwell Island. It was just like walking into the cartoon. It was great. Thank you for the opportunity to explore these museums. With out the library, we would not have the opportunity to see these wonderful museums and the zoo. Gratefully, Tina Ashlin, library fanatic and museum attendee. Single-mom of a 2 1/2 year old girl.
Mar 9 '09 We took our 1 year old son to the Zoo for the first time today. Our 11 year old daughter came along too she always loves to go to the zoo. We brought our lunch and spent most of the afternon at the zoo. We had a really good time. Our son loved the grizzley bears playing by the glass.

Now that we live north of the cities, we do not get to visit the zoo as often as we would like, but love it every time get to go..
Mar 9 '09 The Minnesota Zoo is one of my favorite, even since I was little. My 22 month old could sit and watch the fish in Discovery Bay forever.
Hints: Arrive at 9 if you have really little ones and leave before the afternoon rush. Also I found that Mondays or the week after a holiday are less busy. This gives my little one more time to be up close and not trying to look around the bigger kids.
Feb 16 '09 We went to the zoo with my 2 kids (22 months, 6 months) and my sister and her husband went with us and their daughter (12 months) and we originally went for the sandbox fun, but we never made it that far. The kids had such a super time with visiting animals and walking the trails. The best part for our son Seamus, though, came at the end when we sat down to listen to the Calypso music. He did NOT stop dancing! He had an absolutely super time just dancing to the music and clapping and yelling about. Thanks so much to the zoo for a great adventure for the kids!! We'll be back!
Feb 14 '09 my friend is recently laid off and has a five year old son and we use the pass to admit them two for free. It helps my friend but the child benefits from interacting with others in the zoo. We all also like to escape the Minnesota weather by visiting the tropics indoor section!
Feb 1 '09 I have a two year old son and he loves to go to the zoo to see all the animals, especially the monkeys and the dolphins. Last September we took him to the zoo and when we were walking by the moose, it all of a sudden started to poop. To this day we still hear about going to the zoo and that "moose poop". This time when we went we were on the Minnesota Trail and as we walked by the otters, one of them all of a sudden started to poop as well so I'm sure we will hear about that for the next few months. I think it's great though considering that we are working with him to be potty trained and hoping this will help him understand it all. He talks about his zoo visit for months after we go. Thank you for participating!
Nov 9 '08 We had a wonderful time at the zoo!!! We got there a little later than expected- about 2:30pm, when they closed at 4:30pm. But we managed to fit in everything we wanted to see!!! The new north grizzly exhibit was amazing!! the sea otters were our favorite, the grizzly bears as well. The new exhibit was very impressive. We also went through the tropics trail and had some coffee on our way out. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
Nov 1 '08 Had a great time seeing all of the animals
Aug 17 '08 We take our 2 children to the MN Zoo at least 2 times a month, and no matter how many times they see the exhibits my 4 year old finds something new or a new favorite animal, this particular adventure was the John Deere Family days at the Wells Fargo Farm, he was especially excited that when we arrived at the milking barn he got to ride a hay wagon trailered by a John Deere Tractor out to the farm and when he arrived at the Farm Grandma and Grandpa were waiting for him because Grandpa had 2 of his tractors on display, what a treat for a 4 year old to see Grandpa's Tractors somewhere other than his house, not only did he get to climb on them he also got his picture taken on them and got to learn about all the fun things at the farm that day that related to John Deere Tractors, needless to say whenever he talks to Grandpa now he asks "when are your tractors going to be at the zoo again, we need to pick them up at the Galaxie gate" Don't forget the Galaxie gate Grandpa".
Aug 16 '08 We had a wonderful time enjoying the new Grizzly Exhibits. Without the passes our whole family could not have gone together before they moved away. The passes provided a wonderful opportunity to make wonderful memories!
Aug 14 '08 I absolutely love going to the zoo, and I appreciate the fact that companies and organizations are helping people experience such wonderful and educational sites within the metro area. The new exhibit at the zoo is AMAZING; I cannot wait to go back again! Thank you!
Aug 7 '08 My granddaughter from Indiana visited us--her Gram and Gramp--for a week without her parents and siblings. Of course she wanted to see the Science Museum of MN--which we did. then we spent an entire day at the Minnesota Zoo. We didn't leave until the doors were closing. She loved every part of it.
Jul 12 '08 After the big storm on Fri. The visit to the MN Zoo the next day was perfect. It was a great family affair along with Grandma. This was my two year old sons first time to the zoo. He had a blast. Great exercise walking the trails. The boys loved the new grizzly bear exhibit. My oldest son caught the bears playing around with each other and in the water. The big black bear was swimming very close to the glass panel. He was totally amazed at seeing it so close. We had to go back before we left to get one more look at them. The boys even had a chance to get their feet wet at the center spray fountain and take a memorable snapshot--with blue cotton candy smile and tongue. What a great day with nature--not only with the animals, but to also see how much the trees and foilage have grown since I was a young girl walking these very same trails as my little ones are now.
Jul 12 '08 We took our granddaughter Lola to see the bears. She loved them. She thinks they are like Pooh-Bear not the Russian Grizzles that they are. We enjoyed the other families there and the awesome snacks avaiable.
Jul 4 '08 We loved the MN Zoo, my favorite was the bears and the best part was watching the sea otters-they are so funny! I am only 1 1/2 but my brothers can tell you how much I loved it. I screamed "SEE" at every animal for every zoo visitor to see-everyone thought I was funny!
Jul 1 '08 My seven year old and five year old wanted to go see the new Grizzley Bear exhibit. We were very impressed. Not only did we see the amazing bears, but we were entertained with the sea otters and wild board. We also got a glimpse of the elusive leopard. It was exciting to see the new animals as well as visit some of our favorite. The day was quite warm, but the children enjoyed cooling off in the new fountain area. As a parent, I liked the change. The sand box moved to a smaller area in the Russian Coast exhibit and was replaced with a child friendly fountain. The Minnesota Zoo is a favorite destination, and we are frequent visitors. I love the changes that have been made. For the kids. It gives them something new to become excited about.
Jun 27 '08 We loved the new bear exhibit. Seeing the bears from a variety of locations throughout the park was amazing. We also enjoyed the farm exhibit.
Jun 24 '08 My son and I enjoyed the new Russian Grizzly Coase exhibit along with our first time on the zoo's monorail. We had a great time and are thankful for being able to use the Museum Adventure Pass.
Jun 21 '08 I always have a wonderful time going to the Minnesota Zoo. I have been going to the Zoo since I was a small child, although not as often as I do as an adult! When I went in June 2008 they had recently opened up their Russia's Grizzley Coast. I was really impressed with how close you can get to the bears when they are swimming in the water. It was fun to watch them swim and dive for fish right before your eyes! The sea otters were adorable as they swam on their backs and played in the hot sun.

I also love to watch movies at the IMAX and saw the new Batman movie there, which was incredible!
May 31 '08 The zoo is always one of my children's favorite places to visit. They love to see all the animals. The touching tanks are their favorite.
Apr 26 '08 I had foreign friends visiting and we went to the Zoo together... we had a fantastic time! We hadn't seen a lot of the animals before (and my friends were extremely impressed... especially love the aquatic animals). Thanks for the opportunity!
Apr 19 '08 The zoo was busy and well worth it. We went during the Earth day celebration. Crafts and posters filled the zoo on how to handle the earth with care. We are looking forward to the bear exhibit when it opens. So we will be back again and again.
Apr 10 '08 I went with my 1yr old daughter and cousin and her boyfriend, It was raining that day, but we went anyway cuz pretty much everthing is inside which is nice cuz we didn't get wet, We also went on the train ride, We did miss the dolphin show but thats ok, We went on a day that area schools were there also so it was busy, It was very exiting to watch my daughter enjoy the animals at a young age, I can't wait to take her back when she is alittle older. Thank you for this program to be able to visit places, I hope to visit more soon
Apr 6 '08 Thank you so much for this program! We had a great time seeing all of the animals. It was so much fun to see my 3 year olds face light up and hear my mother reading animal facts from the walls. Even my 9 month baby was able to enjoy it. It was neat to see how he loved observing the fish and dolphins. There truly was something for all ages. Great experience.
Apr 5 '08 I took my two grandchildren [ages three and six] to see the Zoo Babies exhibit. They loved seeing all the baby animals and feeding the goats. The aquarium was also a big hit. We all had a LOT of fun!
Apr 5 '08 We brought our daugthers to the MN Zoo to see the Baby Farm animals. They were very excited before going. However, after we arrived & went to visit the animals, they were afraid to tough them! Also, our younger daughter has a teddy bear she hold-on to at home. When she saw the real big brown bear at the zoo, she was shock & afraid to look at the bear at first. Then the bear got her interest by coming near the pond trying to catch a fish by pretending lying there.
Apr 1 '08 My adventure was great my family came up here for out of town and we han so much fun we rode the train around the park the food was good too. We had fun
Mar 30 '08 It was truly an adventure! Grandparents of a one and a two year old who loved every minute. We were fortunate to have the added bonus of the Easter Farm Animals which they are still talking about. Thank you MELSA -MACY'S for giving us this wonderful oppurtunity.
Mar 28 '08 Myself my two boys and girl (8,6, and 4) went. We truley enjoyed seeing the baby farm animals and all of the usual sights. The boys always love watching the sharks. My daughter loves the dolphins. The farm animals were very fun. My kids never saw a cow so close up or the other farm animals. It was a true joy!
Mar 20 '08 We had a great time at the Zoo! My 2 year old loved seeing all the different animals.
Mar 17 '08 We had a great time with our little girls at the zoo. We watched the dolphin show which was really exciting for our 3 year old
Mar 17 '08 We visited the zoo today and had a great time. Jeremy (5 yrs old) really liked the sharks and seeing the diver feeding the tropical fish. Jack the 2 year old asked to see the monkeys meaning the outdoor monkeys, and watched them for quite awhile. It was a great morning at the zoo! Grey and cloudy outside but warm and busy inside. Getting there early ensured time with the fish without a lot of school crowds, a real treat! Audrey loved the tide pool especially the sea stars that were close enough to touch.
Mar 11 '08 I am very thankful for the pass we recieved for the Minnesota Zoo. My two year old had a great time and without the pass we would not have paid the admission price for the couple hours we were there in the morning. Thanks again.
Mar 10 '08 My husband and I took our youngest granddaughter to the zoo. We enjoyed watching all of the animals especially the wolves.
Mar 7 '08 We had a great time. The tropics is our favorite spot. Thank you Macy's for providing an opportunity for people to enjoy the variety of places.
Feb 17 '08 Our adventure to the Mn zoo.After walking all the trails and seeing the bird show,we made our way to discovery bay and went to the 2pm dolphin show.After our 3pm monorail ride our mom told us that we had 35 minutes before the zoo closed and we could pick whatever we wanted to do during that time. So we chose to hang out in discovery bay, we went directly to the sting ray and shark touch pool because that is our favorite part of discovery bay.ME and my sister were reaching in to touch the animals and guess what?My sister fell all the way into the touch pool,from head to toe!!! I had to pull her out, she was screaming with fear and she was freezing when i pulled her out! She was soaking wet,she had to wrap up in a towel that the staff gave us while her clothes got dried in the zoo's dryer. We could not believe it,this is an adventure that we never imagined we would have that morning when our mom told us we were going to the zoo.
Feb 12 '08 Really enjoyed the Minnesota Adventure. Gorgeous eagle.
Jan 1 '08 Nice day at the Zoo. I'm moving to the Boston area in two weeks; I'll miss the Tropics Trail on a day that it's single digits for a high with a nasty wind chill. (Even the pumas on the Minnesota Trail were behaving as per the weather - they were dug deep in leaves and trying to rest.) I saw the Dolphin show (first time I did that even though my wife and I visited the zoo many times); it was 15 minutes long and they had two dolphins on display.
Dec 10 '07 We took our son to the Minnesota Zoo to celebrate his first birthday. Though he found the dolphins somewhat intimidating, he laughed out loud when one of the "big kitties" came right up to the glass. Thank you for making this an affordable adventure to enjoy as a family.
Nov 29 '07 We hads a wonderful time checking out all the awesome anilmals my four year thought that it was the best place in the world! My four month old really seemed to enjoy looking at the fish. Thank you for such a wonderful day MELSA!
Nov 21 '07 We don't go to the MN Zoo a lot because it is expensive but, with these passes, we spent a day there and had a blast.
Oct 20 '07 you can not go just once you always have that wish to go more and visit as much as you can.

perfect place
Oct 6 '07 My children and I had a blast!! We visit the zoo frequently and always find something new to do there. A few of the girls' favorite things to do is walk through the new Minnesota Trail, watch the dolphin show and walk throught the Tropics Trail.
Sep 26 '07 It turned out to be a very summer-like fall day. It was beautiful. My mom and sister were in town visiting from Arizona. When my sister lived here in town, we would frequent the Minnesota zoo. We brought our camaras to capture memories as well as the wonderful array of animals. She had not seen the Minnesota trail since it had been re-vamped and thought they had done a superb job!! Having the bald eagle at eye level created breathtaking photos. We were also very excited to see all the animals on the trek still up close and very active. The bactrian camels were singing, the siberian tiger came down to the water and the takin were very frisky. We very much love the floor to ceiling tanks of aquatics as well. It's so relaxing to just take time out and watch the sea turtle and the sting rays, not to mention the extreme beauty in the coral reef area. We had a marvelous day. I encourage others to visit there frequently.
Sep 26 '07 I brought my mom and sister out to visit the zoo, it was a great family day spent at the zoo. It was a beautiful day and the animals were very photogenic and participated wonderfully for our camaras. We viewed singing camels, siberian tigers up by the stream, and many other great sites. The Minnesota trail is one of our favorite areas. Now that is has been redone - it's very impressive. The floor to ceiling coral reef is so relaxing and we were in time for the feeding. The adventure passes were a wonderful way for us to save some money while spending a great day together.
Aug 18 '07 ME AND MY 2 DAUGHTERS FIRST STARTED OFF LOOKING AT THE BIRDS AND THE FISH. THEN WE WENT TO LOOK AT THE MONKEYS AND THE ZEBRAS. WENT WALKING AROUND THE WHOLE ZOO.THEN WE WENT AND GOT SOMETHING TO EAT AND THEN WE LEFT.WE ALL HAD ALOT OF FUN.
Aug 15 '07 I got a pass for the zoo and my daughter and my three grandchildren went. We rode the monorail and we all enjoyed that. It was very informative learning about the animals along the ride. It was the first time for my grandchildren to ride on a monorail. We really enjoyed the birds and took many pictures of them. We plan on going back many times so we can see and learn more about the animals.
Jul 23 '07 We went with the families of two of our kids, including our 3 grandkids. The day started with excitement at the monkey tree, and stayed upbeat from there. It was wonderful to see these animals through the eyes of our grandchildren. Their sense of amazement, joy and excitement made for a memorable visit, from the zoo animals, dolphins, to the farm.
Jun 19 '07 I went to the MN Zoo with my 3 year old daughter, my Mom and my 5 year old niece. My niece had never been to a zoo so it was exciting to see her reaction to all the animals. It was also a great bonding experience for all of us. I now have a 4 month old and can't wait to go back to the zoo again this summer!
Jun 14 '07 I was staying with my pregnant daughter and my 2 1/2 year old grandson while my son-in-law was on a business trip. My daughter and grandson enjoy going to the Ramsey County Library in Roseville. Leah thought it would be fun to go to the Minnesota Zoo and she was able to get a pass from the library. None of us had ever been to the Minnesota Zoo before. We had a great time watching the bird show. I had just read the book "Rabbit And The Moon" by Douglas Wood to Isaiah, so he was thrilled to see "sister" eagle in the show. His real favorite that day though, were the goats at the farm. Thank you to Macy's, the Ramsey County Library and the Minnesota Zoo for helping us have a grand adventure and many happy memories.
Apr 12 '07 Our family went to the Zoo on a cold day, but it was ok because there is all sorts of exibition we can see while we were inside. For example the tropical rain forest, marine center, dolphins show, and the bird show. Thank for the experiance.
Nov 17 '06 We took our time enjoying each exhibit and ended up not completing the whole zoo. It was fun seeing some new animal behaviors we hadnt witnessed before. The kids really liked having the tiger just feet from them with only the glass between them! The kids and I also spent alot of time relaxing while watching the fish aquarium in the Tropics building.
Sep 14 '06 it was amazing, my kids were excited and didnt want to leave. they loved the bird cages and seeing the fish!!! we wish to visit again soon!

Membership
Media sponsors:KARE 11  Star Tribune
Melsa.org