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Winter at the Minnesota Zoo

Published January 2, 2025 | Updated March 18, 2025 | by Hannah | Leave a Comment

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Minnesota Zoo in Winter.

Looking for a fun place to visit this winter break or any winter day? Look no further than Minnesota Zoo!

A tiger with thick fur walks through a snowy landscape, its gaze focused and intent. The background consists of snow-covered ground and blurred trees, suggesting a cold, natural habitat.

Minnesota Zoo is fun to visit in every season! Sure, it may come to mind faster in the warmer months but there is still a lot to see and explore at the Minnesota Zoo during the winter.

I enjoy visiting local attractions over winter break and Minnesota Zoo is no exception! There’s many options for indoor and outdoor adventures at the zoo that will keep your whole family busy and content.

A close-up of a sea lion with a shiny, wet coat. It is looking at the camera with its whiskered snout slightly raised. The background shows a clear blue body of water.

Did you know the Minnesota Zoo has Sea Lions in Discovery Bay? It’s so fun to watch
Clyde, JoJo, Theo, Hudson, and Flynn glide and dive underwater in the viewing area. My kiddos love watching them play and explore. Plus there’s so much else to see in Discovery Bay and it’s always warm inside! We love visiting the sharks and checking out the touch pools.

A toucan with a vibrant orange and black beak perches on a woman's hand. The bird's feathers are glossy black with a white throat and a hint of red near its tail. The woman, wearing a cap, is looking at the toucan. The background is slightly blurred.

Did you ever check out the bird show during the warmer months? You still can in the winter! Stop by Wings & Things inside the Target Learning Center every day at 10:30am and 2pm. The show is around 20 minutes and it’s fast paced and educational. So even the youngest members of your group will enjoy it!

A person wearing a black jacket observes a group of pink flamingos in a lush, green tropical enclosure with a small pond. The setting is serene with abundant foliage.

Don’t miss your chance to step inside and visit the Tropics Trail, where it’s always an amazing 78 degrees! We love exploring this area, especially during the winter time. The warmer weather feels like such an amazing break from the cold outdoors.

Four Przewalski's horses stand on a snowy hill, with sparse trees in the background. The ground and their coats are dusted with snow, and the sky is overcast.

You can still check out the outdoor trails and this year the Treetop Trail is open every day, weather permitting, at 12pm. So don’t forget to pack your winter gear to get the best views of the animals from way up high!

Special Winter Events

Winterfest is a brand new event happening at the Minnesota Zoo January 25th from 10am to 4pm. A  one-of-a-kind sculpted ice bar will serve up drinks on Celebration Plaza. Plus the whol family can eat s’mores outdoors by purchasing a s’mores kit to roast on the fire. There will also be Minnesota classic comfort food on the all of the Wild Cafe menu all weekend. There’s a special story time too!

Zoo After Hours for adults only offers a kids-free zoo experience from 5:30 to 8:30pm on January 25, March 15, and April 26. Besides taking in the zoo experience there will be a silent dance party, trivia and games, photo ops, costume contest and more.

Bronze bison sculptures in front of a stone wall marked "Minnesota Zoo." The area is surrounded by trees, some with leaves and others bare, with patches of snow on the ground. The sky is partly cloudy.

Minnesota Zoo Location, Hours and Admission

The Minnesota Zoo is located at 13000 Zoo Blvd in Apple Valley and it’s open every day from 10am – 4pm. General admission for adults is $23.95, adults 65+ are $21.95, children ages 3-12 are $17.95 and children 2 and under are free. Parking is $10 on site. You are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of your visit on their website.

Will you be visiting the Minnesota Zoo over winter break? Which animals are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments below!

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Hannah

Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.

Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.

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Hi, I'm Chrysa, and I'm here along with my friends Hannah and Laura to share fun and thrifty ways for you and your family to enjoy all the awesome things Minnesota has to offer! Read More

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