# Parks & Zoos > Minneapolis offers a variety of outdoor activities and attractions, including extensive bike and walking paths, recreational lakes for swimming and boating, and options for winter sports like ice-skating. The city is home to several parks and nature centers where visitors can enjoy Minnesota's wildlife and exotic animals at local zoos. Notable parks include Bde Maka Ska Park, Lake Harriet Park, and Minnehaha Regional Park, each featuring amenities such as picnic areas, playgrounds, and trails for biking and hiking. The Minnesota Zoo and Como Park Zoo & Conservatory provide year-round animal exhibits, while the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Westwood Hills Nature Center offer expansive natural areas for exploration. *Generated: 2026-01-26T06:41:51.869Z* ## Page Information - **Canonical URL:** https://www.minnestay.com/area-guides/things-to-do/parks-and-zoos - **Type:** page - **Last Updated:** December 23, 2024 --- ## Content # Parks & Zoos Minneapolis is home to many excellent bike paths and walking/hiking paths, recreational lakes for swimming, boating, canoeing, or fishing, and more. And it doesn't have to be warm out to enjoy our parks-there are options for outdoor ice-skating and winter hikes. Enjoy Minnesota's wildlife at nature centers or view exotic animals at one of the city zoos. [Embedded content](https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1NsLPoI2kVRRlgnj6xrn7IYQuXU8) ## Things to Do [Museums & History](/area-guides/things-to-do/museums-and-history/) [Family Fun](/area-guides/things-to-do/family-fun/) [Outdoor Activities in Minnesota](/area-guides/things-to-do/outdoors/) [Golf Courses](/area-guides/things-to-do/golf-courses/) [Parks & Zoos](/area-guides/things-to-do/parks-and-zoos/) [Major Attractions](/area-guides/things-to-do/major-attractions/) [Arts & Entertainment](/area-guides/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/) [Breweries & Wineries](/area-guides/things-to-do/breweries-and-wineries/) [Tours](/area-guides/things-to-do/tours/) [Health & Fitness](/area-guides/things-to-do/health-and-fitness/) [Shopping in Minnesota](/area-guides/things-to-do/shopping/) [Casino & Racing](/area-guides/things-to-do/casino-and-racing/) [Trip Ideas](/area-guides/things-to-do/trip-ideas/) ### Minnesota Zoo The Minnesota Zoo provides a wide array of animal exhibits and activities that can be enjoyed in any weather. Located just south of the Mall of America [Visit Website >](http://mnzoo.org/) ### Como Park Zoo & Conservatory We at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory hold everything we do against the expectations laid forth in our mission statement. Every animal exhibit, plant exhibit, education class and youth camp is driven by this statement and our commitment to the community in which we live. [Visit Website >](http://www.comozooconservatory.org/) ### Battle Creek Regional Park Battle Creek Regional Park is accessible from several parking lots and trails. Park is open 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. [Visit Website >](https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/parks-recreation/parks-trails/find-park/battle-creek-regional-park) ### Boom Island Park Amenities include: Biking path, boat dock, grill area, picnic area, playground, walking path [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/boom_island_park/) ### Bde Maka Ska Park Amenities include archery, beach, biking path, boat dock, fishing pier, picnic area, soccer field, softball field, volleyball court, walking path, and a well. [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/bde_maka_ska_park/) ### Lake Harriet Park Amenities Include: Bandstand, beach, biking path, boat dock, fountains, fishing pier, garden, picnic area, playground, and walking path. [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/lake_harriet_park/) ### Lake Minnetonka Regional Park Scenic lake-shore area with a swimming pond, fishing pier & playground, plus hiking & biking trails. [Visit Website >](https://www.threeriversparks.org/location/lake-minnetonka-regional-park) ### Lake Nokomis Park Popular park providing sailing, paddlesport rentals, concessions, a community center & playground. [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/lake_nokomis_park/) ### Lake of the Isles Park Path-lined park offers areas for ice skating, canoeing & picnicking, plus an off-leash dog park. [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/lake_of_the_isles_park/) ### Loring Park Amenities include: Bandstand, basketball, bike path, fountians, fishing, garden, picnic area, playground, public art, tennis, wading pool, walking path. [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/loring_park/) ### Minnehaha Regional Park Amenities include: Bandstand, bike path, fountains, disc golf, garden, picnic area, playground, public art, volleyball court, wading pool, walking path [Visit Website >](https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/minnehaha_regional_park/) ### Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Amenities include: Prairie area scattered with oak trees & offering biking & hiking trails, picnic shelters & fishing. [Visit Website >](http://nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/missgorg.htm) ### Minnesota Landscape Arboretum More than 1,200 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods and miles of trails. The Arboretum was borne out of the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center and established in 1958, with the Men's Garden Club of Minneapolis, Minnesota State Horticultural Society and other community supporters. [Visit Website >](http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/) ### Northland Arboretum A non-profit organization dedicated to getting the community involved in and aware of nature. Have a peaceful walk on our nature trails, or take your mountain bike for a ride. Winter time? We've got that covered too! You can cross country ski on our spectacular groomed snow covered trails. [Visit Website >](http://www.northlandarb.org/) ### Westwood Hills Nature Center Westwood Hills Nature Center is a 160-acre natural area featuring marsh, woods and restored prairie. The preserve is beautiful throughout the seasons and provides homes for many animals including deer, fox, mink and owls. [Visit Website >](http://westwoodhillsnaturecenter.org/) --- ## Related Links - [View this page](https://www.minnestay.com/area-guides/things-to-do/parks-and-zoos) - [Back to LLMs Index](https://www.minnestay.com/llms.txt) - [All Pages](https://www.minnestay.com/llms-pages.md) --- *Part of MINNeSTAY - Premier Minnesota Vacation Rentals*