Como Park
4.7(1.5K)google
4.2(440)yelp
KidsSenior-FriendlyDate SpotOutdoorFreeMust-SeeLakeForest
Overview
The Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (also known as the Como Zoo and Conservatory) are located in Como Park at 1225 Estabrook Drive in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The park, zoo and conservatory are owned by the City of Saint Paul and are a division of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Its attractions include a zoo, a conservatory, an amusement park, a carousel, Lake Como, a golf course, a pool and more.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeLate spring through autumn (May to October) is ideal for embracing this historic urban green space. Map out a weekend afternoon visit from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM; early twilight creates gorgeous, warm reflection lighting over Lake Como's historic pavilion and boardwalk structures, making it a dream for tranquil landscape photos.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in St. Paul at 1151 Como Ave. Access by car is highly simple: ride the MN-36 highway, exit onto Lexington Ave heading south, and loop onto Como Avenue. The sprawling regional park features multiple interconnected, completely complimentary paved surface parking lots wrapping around the lake shores.
Travel Tips
- The 1.6-mile Lake Como loop trail enforces strict one-way, counter-clockwise pedestrian traffic for walkers and joggers during summer weekends; cycling on footpaths triggers immediate park ranger intervention.
- The northern Como Golf Course transforms into official cross-country ski trails in winter; pedestrians wearing standard winter boots are strictly barred from walking on or damaging the groomed parallel ski tracks.
- The historic Como Lakeside Pavilion hosts summer evening concerts that saturate adjacent parking fields 2 hours before downbeat; bypass the congestion by parking early at the remote McMurray Fields lots.
Reviews
Positive
- An urban oasis hidden in the city, boasting shimmering Lake Como paired with vast, shaded lawns; the natural scenery is pristine and perfect for picnics, biking, or walking.
- As a completely free municipal park, it packs a free zoo and conservatory along with a golf course and a vintage carousel, catering to all ages at full value.
- The infrastructure is well-maintained, scattered with plenty of trash bins, clean restrooms, and benches along the lake and trails, making the layout convenient.
- The park upkeep is highly commendable with manicured green lawns and a debris-free lake surface, preserving a serene, peaceful sanctuary vibe despite crowds.
Heads up
- During warm summer weekends or holidays, the visitor density skyrockets; picnic groves and charcoal grills become competitive, drowning out the peaceful nature vibe.
- Parking can be incredibly frustrating; the free dedicated lots fill up instantly at peak hours, forcing drivers to park on distant neighborhood residential streets and hike in.
- Aside from the free zoo, individual amenities like mini-golf, paddleboats, and the carousel require separate paid fees, which feel a bit premium for budget families.
- Because of its close proximity to the lake and wetlands, the wooded trails get heavily plagued by thick swarms of mosquitoes in summer, rendering strolls miserable without bug spray.