SunThisweek Community Guides Apple Valley Guide 2018 | Page 23

APPLE VALLEY | ROSEMOUNT | FARMINGTON
C O M M U N I T Y
G U I D E
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MINNESOTA ZOO
Go wild at the Minnesota Zoo
Apple Valley is home to the Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo
Boulevard, just 10 minutes south of Mall of America on
Cedar Avenue (Highway 77). The Minnesota Zoo cares for
about 500 different species of animals.
The Minnesota Zoo is a state agency, which differs from
other zoos in Minnesota and most zoos in the United States.
Zoos are usually run by municipalities or private organiza-
tions.
When the zoo opened in 1978, it was fairly revolution-
ary in its exhibit design. The zoo had more space to house
exhibits and was one of the fi rst zoos to organize its animals
by their living environment as opposed to their species.
Exhibits are arranged in several themed areas, including
themed walking trails.
There’s a wide variety of exhibits to see at the zoo, but
some of the more popular sites are Russia’s Grizzly Coast,
a part-indoor, part-outdoor exhibit featuring animals from
Russia’s Far East and the Kamchatka Peninsula. The zoo
recently opened a black bear exhibit, has rennovated Dis-
covery Bay to feature Hawaiian monk seals and made im-
provements to the Wells Fargo Farm. Other new additions
are the Conservation Carousel ride next to the Hanifl Fam-
ily Wild Woods play area.
Shows and demonstrations run throughout the day, in-
cluding a coral reef dive show, cow milking demonstration
at the Farm, bird show and shark feedings. The zoo’s web-
site, mnzoo.org, lists specifi c shows and times. Announce-
ments about special events can be found at the entrance.
Visits to the zoo average three to four hours, but a person
can easily spend an entire day at the zoo and still have more
to see. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits that are open
all year long. Even when the weather is cold, the indoor
exhibits are warm, featuring animals from the Caribbean,
South Pacifi c and rain forests.
The animals are most active and the crowds are smaller
early in the morning and later in the afternoon. Fall and
winter are less crowded than summer and spring, and the
animals tend to be more curious about visitors when it is
quiet.
The Great Clips IMAX Theater features educational and
Hollywood movies and is located at the zoo. Contact the
IMAX at [phone] or imax.com/minnesota.
Ticket prices are $18 for ages 13-64, free for ages 0-2, $12
for ages 3-12 and $12 for anyone 65 or older. Parking costs
$7 for cars, $10 for buses and $15 for motor coaches. Annual
zoo memberships run from $59 to $159. Check the website
mnzoo.org for hours as they vary by season or call (952)
431-9213.
Community Guide 2018-19 |Apple Valley - Rosemount - Farmington | 23