Fall Flower Show Opens Saturday

While many Minnesota gardens are winding down for the winter season, the Sunken Garden at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory will be in full bloom! Opening Saturday, October 5 is the popular, 104rd Annual Fall Flower Show. The show will feature hundreds of chrysanthemums of many different cultivars. The colors for this year’s show are predominantly red/maroon and yellow/gold. Swiss Chard and Chilly Chili peppers will serve to accentuate the beautiful red and yellow chrysanthemums. The Fall Flower Show at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is open October 5-December 1 from 10:00am-4:00pm. There will be a show change October 28 - November 1 in which the Sunken Garden will be closed, but all other rooms of the Conservatory will remain open to the public.

Creepy-Crawly Creature Awareness Weekend, October 18 - 20

Slither in over MEA break, October 18 - 20, and get eyeball-to-eyeball with some of our resident creepy crawly bugs and spiders. Use your creativity to make a spider craft, and learn more about creepy carnivorous plants. Get up close to interesting bio-facts. Many of the weekend's featured animals are our behind-the-scenes critters not often seen by the everyday visitor. These interesting insects and stunning spiders are often the STARS in our top-notch classes and programs. Psssst...there are rumors of a vote being held for the baby giraffe's name this weekend too...stay tuned......

Senior Strolls Tuesdays in October!

Senior Strolls take place every Tuesday from 9am-10am. This is a special time set aside for just for our 55-and-up aged friends. Each month will feature an opportunity to visit a part of the Zoo or Conservatory for a leisurely walk before the crowds as well as special activities and guests. October we stroll over to visit Como's primates. This event is a great opportunity for Seniors to enjoy a free event that encourages being active and social with some adult learning to spice it up. Many seniors have even been participating in the weekly fitness program!

American Sign Language Interpretive Day Wednesday, October 6

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is excited to present our new American Sign Language Interpretive Days. The first Sunday of every month Como will have an American Sign Language interpreter on-site interpreting our public Zoo and Conservatory talks. These ten minute talks will be interpreted between the hours of 11:00am-2pm!

Sensory Friendly Morning, October 13 & 16

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is an energetic, colorful place full of sensory stimuli, and we know this environment can be overwhelming for some guests. Join us from 9-10 a.m. on select dates for an inclusive experience at Como created in collaboration with the Autism Society of Minnesota . Spend time exploring exhibits, and activities designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Use the “social narrative” and the “create your own visual schedule” to help prepare you for your Autism Friendly Early Entry day.

Child & Adult Adventures!

Tremendous Trees, October 23. Fall is in the air and leaves on trees are changing. Join us while we go on a colorful leaf hunt, enjoy a tree story, meet a tree-dweller and sing the “Oaky Pokey!” It will be a tree-mendous time!

Adventures for Adults!

Big Cat Enrichment on October 5. You will be able to create enrichment items for our big cats and observe the fun without the crowds! Learn more about why we provide enrichment, the dangers big cats face in the wild, and the conservation efforts in place to protect these magnificent animals.

Artist, Photographer & Family Photo Hours in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, October 20

Whether you choose the lush greenery of the North Garden or the flowers in the Sunken Garden, this is the perfect opportunity to use the many gardens inside the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory as a backdrop for your holiday family photos. Guests are welcome to bring in their own camera and find the perfect spot for their photo. $5 per person.