This Massive Minnesota Zoo Is One of the Largest in the Country

Who doesn’t love a good zoo day? It tends to bring out your inner kid. Maybe it’s the animals, the sounds, or the snacks! Either way, it's magical.

When my kiddo was younger, hitting up the local zoo was basically our travel tradition. No matter where we went, we made time for the monkeys, lions, tigers, and whatever fuzzy creature happened to be the star attraction. So many fantastic memories!

Turns out, you don't have to travel far to find a great zoo. Did you know that Minnesota has about two dozen zoos across the state? And get this, one of those just so happens to be one of the largest in the country. But before we get to the big one, let’s talk about a few of the others that deserve some love.

In St. Paul, you’ll find Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, which has been around since the 1800s. It’s one of the last truly free zoos in the country and offers everything from polar bears to beautiful botanical gardens.

In Freeport, there’s Hemker Park & Zoo, where you can hand-feed a giraffe and get closer than you’d expect to penguins, camels, and kangaroos.

Up north, the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth has sloths, bears, and a lakeside vibe that feels a little more rugged and wild.

Then there’s Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo in Byron, which is more focused on native Minnesota wildlife like foxes, eagles, and deer, all cared for in a peaceful, low-key setting.

We’ve also got the Sea Life Aquarium at the Mall of America, the International Wolf Center in Ely, and the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth. How many have you been to, because I'm seriously slacking on visiting more local zoos?

Now let’s talk about our monster zoo - the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. Covering nearly 500 acres and housing over 4,500 animals, it's considered one of America's largest zoos, according to Daily Passport. When it first opened back in 1978, it was already ahead of its time. Instead of grouping animals by species, they grouped them by habitat.

Today, the Minnesota Zoo has an annual visitation of around 1.3 million guests. Visitors can discover African fruit bats, Malayan tapir, and other curious creatures among the 500-plus species. A highlight is Discovery Bay, a marine education center home to Hawaiian monk seals, seadragons, seahorses, and a 218,000-gallon shark tank. - Daily Passport.

And in 2023, the zoo raised the bar again with the opening of the Treetop Trail, a 1.25-mile elevated boardwalk that lets you stroll above the animals. It’s the longest trail of its kind in the world and gives you a one-of-a-kind view of the zoo’s bison, bears, and beyond.

Also See: Minnesota River Named One of the Best Spots For Tubing

According to Daily Passport, the Minnesota Zoo is the 8th largest in America. Which one is the largest? Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska which is home to over 17,000 animals (compared to our 4,500 - holy cow!). Road trip anyone?