A Guide to Minneapolis Zoos & Aquariums: SeaQuest Roseville, Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo Conservatory

Minneapolis has various attractions and museums, including the Chain of Lakes and the Walker Art Center. But it’s also home to various wildlife and marine life facilities!  SeaQuest Roseville, the Minnesota Zoo, and the Como Zoo Conservatory are three of the best in Minnesota. Each place offers a unique experience, catering to diverse interests and providing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages. 

Whether you’re fascinated by the ocean’s mysteries, the majesty of land animals, or the beauty of botanical gardens, this comparative guide will help you navigate these three beloved attractions’ distinctive features and highlights. 

SeaQuest Roseville

Website: https://visitseaquest.com/roseville/ 

Address: 1595 Highway 36 West, Suite 578,

      Roseville, MN 55113

Phone Number: (651) 330-2590

SeaQuest Roseville is conveniently located in the Rosedale Center Mall and offers dozens of exhibits and habitats for families, couples, and adults to enjoy. In particular, SeaQuest is unique in that it offers interactive experiences with the various animals it houses. It also houses various marine and wildlife, including exotic birds, reptiles, fish, mammals, and more! 

Unique Activities at SeaQuest Roseville

SeaQuest mainly offers unique activities in animal interactions, including:

• Holding exotic birds;
• Petting and feeding reptiles;
• Snorkeling with stingrays;
• Hanging with sloths;
• And more!

Take an EpicQuest Adventure, and you can have a personalized experience with every animal in the park, which may be ideal for groups who want a unique experience. For all visitors, SeaQuest offers educational discussions about the habitats and needs of each animal and why conservation efforts are so crucial for each one. With this education, visitors can leave with a greater appreciation of the animals and sustainability in general. 

Special Events at SeaQuest Roseville

SeaQuest is also great for special occasions, offering tailored events for large groups or birthday parties. Party attendees can participate in a free animal interaction, the birthday child can receive a VIP gift, and all guests receive a goodie bag in a reserved room. You can also reserve a special appearance by Marina the Mermaid or Captain Quest, the pirate! 

SeaQuest also offers educational field trips, where students participate in activities using observation and scientific skills. A SeaQuest employee will provide education about various conservation topics. This hands-on experience helps students retain their knowledge and may even encourage them to pursue an education in Biology or other ecological professions.

In addition, SeaQuest partners with and supports local charities that aim to provide habitats to endangered species in the area and around the globe. They also encourage visitors to donate to these charities to further conservation efforts.

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Minnesota Zoo

Website: https://mnzoo.org/ 

Address: 13000 Zoo Boulevard

                 Apple Valley, MN 55124

Phone Number: 952-431-9200

The Minnesota Zoo has a wide selection of animals, from the American Bison to the Wolverine, for visitors to see and learn about. Each animal has an expansive habitat and enclosure that mimics their environment, providing an immersive experience for visitors and keeping the animals comfortable. 

The Minnesota Zoo also furthers conservation efforts locally and globally. On a local scale, the Minnesota Zoo has collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to create a pure Bison herd without cattle genes to live in various parks and the zoo. The Minnesota Zoo keeps track of the health of each herd member to ensure their survival and revive the species in the Midwest. Visitors can donate to this cause to help fund conservation efforts. 

On a global scale, the Minnesota Zoo partners with countless zoos across the country and globe to aid in the conservation of species like dholes, the black rhino, the blue-throated macaw, and tigers. Like the Bison conservation project, visitors can donate to these causes at the Minnesota Zoo.  

Unique Activities at the Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo also offers various activities in its expansive facility. You can meet their llamas, Guinea pigs, and farm animals with minimal interference and even feed them for a small fee. They also offer other experiences, such as the Wings Credit Union World of Birds Show, where a Zoo keeper releases some of the zoo’s birds to fly over guests’ heads.  

Special Events at the Minnesota Zoo

The Minnesota Zoo hosts various events for specific days to interest families and adults alike. For example, you can join their Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular on Halloween, where 5,000 Jack-O-Lanterns will light all their trials.

Adults are also welcome to partake in the animal fun with Wild Nights, an adults-only night with live music, food, drink, and full access to your favorite animal exhibits. 

The Como Zoo Conservatory

Website: https://comozooconservatory.org/ 

Address: 1225 Estabrook Dr

                 St. Paul, MN 55103

Phone Number: 651-487-8201

Como Zoo Observatory may be the place for you if you’re looking for an inexpensive experience appreciating plants, flowers, and animals. They host various animals, including zebras, wolves, tigers, puffins, polar bears, cougars, and gray seals. There are also swatches of curated gardens filled with unique and native plants that are post-card worthy. 

As a non-profit, Como aims to make wildlife and conservation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial status, so admission is free. However, they encourage donations whenever you visit, and you can make scheduled gifts to help Como continue running for the community’s benefit.

Unique Activities at the Como Zoo

Within the Como, you can enjoy guided tours. They offer conservation tours where a guide will discuss the role of each animal and plant in their overall ecosystem as they walk you through their expansive grounds. You can also book a behind-the-scenes tour where a guide will show you what their facility is like before they open their doors. This option may be advantageous if you want a more intimate experience with their animal and plant life. 

Special Events at the Como Zoo

The Como Zoo Conservatory also hosts various events year-round, particularly in the warmer months. You can check out the Japanese Obon Festival, where you can watch Japanese dances and martial arts routines and enjoy many Japanese foods. 

The Como Zoo also hosts regular live music nights with Groovin’ in the Garden, where you can support local artists while still enjoying the facility’s scenery. 

Ultimately, your choice of zoo will depend on what animals you want to see the most, what kind of experiences you want, and what events you’re interested in. If you’re interested in up-close encounters where you can pet, feed, and even swim with wildlife in Minneapolis, though, SeaQuest is the place for you. Here, you can create memories of wildlife that will last a lifetime.

SeaQuest is committed to protecting our world’s oceans, wildlife, and endangered animals. We focus on how to be proactive in finding solutions. To learn how your family can purchase yearly memberships for fun family adventures, visit SeaQuest today or stop by any of the following locations: Utah, Las Vegas, Dallas-Fort Worth, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Lynchburg, and New Jersey.