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Although the Minnesota State Fair is right around the corner, it is worth remembering that Saint Paul’s own amusement park, Como Town, is open daily through Labor Day and on weekends through October 2.

Como Town is situated on the campus of Como Zoo and Conservatory and is about as kid-friendly as it gets, with more than 18 rides suited for children of all ages. Unlike other parks in the Twin Cities, it is especially appropriate for small children, with a number of rides available for kids as young as two-years-old. However, there are still a couple of rides that are thrilling enough to keep the older kids entertained as well. My 8-year-old is right in the Como Town wheelhouse, with most rides enticing enough, with a few too sedate and a couple to scary. Parents are permitted to ride as well and in some cases, chaperones are required with the smaller kids.

Some of the highlights include the Tilt-A-Whirl (which never gets old), the Fire Brigade (spraying a water cannon), Frog Hopper (bouncing 18 feet in the air) and the Driving School, where the kids get to cruise around the driving school course, accelerating, stopping and steering on the own. Upon exiting, the young drivers are rewarded with a mock license, a big hit. There are other attractions such as the Hodge Podge Park jungle gym and Splash Zone fountain area. There are also skill games and games of chance, face painting and tattoos, plus caricature drawings and souvenirs.

Como Town offers little in the way of food. Hot dogs and corn dogs were the only items of substance, otherwise it’s snacks and treats. However, since the park is seamlessly connected to Como Zoo, other more substantial foods options are available a short distance away. Also, I saw a number of families bringing in their own food to eat at picnic tables or other seating areas.

Admission to the park is free (as is the case with the Zoo and Conservatory), the cost is for rides and other games. Tickets and passes can be purchased at various levels; rides cost anywhere from 4 to 18 points, each point is $.22. We opted for the unlimited ride wristband, but I’m not sure we used up the equivalent in points in the 3 hours we were there.

Parking is always challenging at Como Park. There are lots located throughout the greater Park area, as well as on surrounding side streets. We had the luxury of attending on a weekday morning and were able to find parking within a couple of blocks on a side street. A shuttle is available on weekends.

For more information on Como Town, go to www.comotown.com.

Buzz and Neil have landed, and no I’m not talking about Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.  I’m actually referring to the two massive polar bears who occupy their new home a the Como Zoo!

The grand opening of the New Polar Bear Odyssey Exhibit was June 3, and I got a first-hand look.  I’m sure everyone who has been to the Como Zoo in the past few years remembers the old polar bear exhibit, and the two burly bears swimming in their pool.  Two years and $14 million later, they not only get to swim around, but they get to roam freely with rocky cliffs and natural surfaces surrounding their habitat!

Inside the exhibit, you can witness the polar bears up close behind glass as they romp and swim in the water.  If you want to know anything ab0ut the zoo’s resident polar bears, just ask any of the helpful staff members.  They love talking about Buzz and Neil!  Also, check out all the cool plaques with informative facts about polar bears in general.  Did you know when polar bears are newborns they weigh less than a bag of M&M’s?

For those of you who haven’t been to the Como Zoo in a while, now is your chance!  Not only is the polar bear exhibit unveiled, but a visit to the zoo is FREE   (small donations are appreciated)!  During the summer, the zoo is open from 10am — 6pm.

Como Zoo is a great place to spend a few hours and to check out all the cool activities going on all summer long, such as the beloved Sparky the Sea Lion Show that starts at 11:30am Monday — Saturday every week!

Babysitting? Nannying? Bring the kids to the zoo!  They’ll love it and it’s a great activity to get involved in.  even if the day is sweltering with heat, don’t fear:  the Splash Zone is a fun way to stay cool while splashing in the water sprays.  the Splash Zone is located in Como Town, which requires admission tickets.  Make sure to take the kids to the polar bear exhibit too!

For more information, make sure to go to http://www.comozooconservatory.org

I hail from a small town about an hour and a half north of St. Paul called Willow River.  A lot of my friends still live in the area and when we’re really lucky and really good with our calendar we can get our families together.  The stars aligned this past weekend and my best friend was able to come down to visit for a day with her two daughters.  When I heard she was coming I knew the perfect place to go with four kids in tow…Como Zoo!

We started our day at Como Zoo around 10 am meeting by the flamingos right outside the Conservatory doors, after that we spent an hour strolling (literally strolling two kids at a time) the pathways.  We saw everything from an adorable baby orangutan hanging on for dear life to his momma, to what I believe is the largest tiger I’ve ever seen.  From there we enjoyed the Sparky the Seal show, giraffes, sea lions and zebras.  By then we had worked up quite the appetite so we stopped into Zobota where we got the best park food I’ve ever had.  I’ve been to plenty of zoos and amusement parks in my life, but the food you get at Zobota’s is delicious and borderline gourmet!  I had the Hickory Burger after debating if I should get it or the San Antonio Club sandwich, which was topped with a chipotle mayonnaise sauce.  As you can probably tell, I’m still wondering if I made the right choice, I guess I’ll just have to go back and compare!  My girlfriend got a freshly topped salad that was so big, it was falling over the sides. On another note, Zobota’s also offers free wireless, which I didn’t use, but I thought it was a cool feature.

Now, hind sight is 20/20, but I probably should have hit up Como Town and all the fun rides there with the kids before lunch.  There were no catastrophes though, so, we’re safe!  But seriously, make sure if you get your kids onto the new Tornado ride, there’s a responsible kid at the helm, because we had a wild child spinning the cup and we had 4 extremely queasy kids walk off.  Here’s a great deal to tell you about too.  This week Como Town is doing a fun promotion called the Family Fun Economic Stimulus Package.  All the rides will be free starting at 4 through Friday night.  With all the money you save, you can buy quite a few bags of their mini-donuts, which are the best outside of the State Fair.

Finally we ended our day with a trip to Candyland on Wabasha Ave. in downtown St. Paul.   Their carmel corn popcorn is so delicious, you won’t believe your tastebuds.  You have to make sure you go in and get a fresh order though because it’s still warm and literally melts in your mouth.  Also grab a few of their Pecan Snappers just because it would be a tragedy not to.  I would suggest you grab the goodies and head over to a movie in a park.  Comcast is going to be showing a movie in different St. Paul parks throughout the summer.  This Friday, June 12^th they’re showing RV with Robin Williams at Griggs Recreation Center, but my girls are excited because on Friday, July 17^th they will be playing the movie Igor at the Arlington Recreation Center.  The movies usually start at dusk.

See, this is just a few of the reasons that every time I have guest visit from out of town we head to St. Paul.  There are so many hidden treasures throughout the city that a lot of times, we’re discovering new things to do right along with the friends we’re in charge of showing the town.

Rebekah Wood is an anchor on EYEWITNESS NEWS mornings from 5-7 a.m. and Midday from 11a.m.-noon.