Minnesota Zoo Opening Beautiful New Nighttime Attraction This Summer

As the sun goes down this summer, a whole new experience will begin at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley in the Twin Cities area.

The zoo has been preparing to open what they are calling "Wanderlight Trail", an attraction that will be open through much of the summer that offers a gorgeous glowing lantern light tour that reminds me quite a bit of the China Lights Festival hosted every fall in Milwaukee.

If you've never been to that event before, organizers set up an expansive series of glowing, larger-than-life lanterns shaped like animals, plants, and other creations to create a magical outdoor tour experience.

In the case of the Minnesota Zoo's Wanderlight Trail, the zoo says the experience will center around animals from around the world.

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A teaser video for the Wanderlight Trail (below) shows a brief taste of what to expect, with huge animal and plant-shaped lanterns that create what looks like a gorgeous, immersive tour through the lights.

If you want to plan a visit this summer, organizers say you can tour your way through the glowing displays at your own pace, taking time to enjoy all of the different lantern creations.

The Minnesota Zoo says this is a fully outdoor experience on the zoo's grounds. It involves a 1/4 mile walk to the Wanderlight Trail entrance from Central Plaza, and the actual Wanderlight Trail itself is a 1/4 mile in length.

Going along with the lanterns, the trail experience also includes music and what they call "immersive lighting effects".

There will also be food and beverages available for purchase both at the Central Plaza and at the start of the Wanderlight Trail at what they are calling the Wanderlight Market.

Gates for the attraction open at 7:30 pm Wednesdays through Sundays this summer, with gates closing at 11 pm. The attraction will open for the season on Wednesday, June 3, and run through Sunday, August 2. The event is rain or shine, so the zoo says to dress for the weather on the evening of your visit.

When buying tickets, you will select an entry start time. Once you enter, the zoo says the full experience takes around 40-50 minutes, plus the time to walk to and from the trail. That said, plan on at least an hour - or more if you really want to take your time enjoying it all.

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Tickets start at $26-$30 for general admission access, with other specialty night and adult-only night ticket rates, fast pass add-ons, depending on your preference for your visit. The zoo says there are discounts available for members, children, and groups.

You can learn more about the Minnesota Zoo's Wanderlight Trail and see ticket options on their website.