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Como Park, Zoo & Conservatory is one of those places that’s so big, and so full of beauty and things to do, that sometimes I don’t know where to start. You can only do so much in one day. I think of it as the Central Park of St. Paul.

Whether you want to jog around the lake, rent a paddle boat, plan a picnic, listen to outdoor music, take your kid for a carousel ride, cross country ski, look at flamingos and monkeys, take pictures of endless gardens and colorful flowers, bike paved trails, or lounge in the grass with a book, Como Park has it all. This is one of those gems that St. Paul is truly, truly lucky to have. If you haven’t been there lately, what’s stopping you?

My 1-year-old son and I packed up earlier this week with stroller, water, and snacks, and set out for a 1.6-mile walk around the lake. We stopped along the way to pick up acorns and throw them in the water, to watch a dad and his kids fish off a small dock, and to laze in the grass and gaze at puffy white clouds on a perfect summer day. We didn’t make it to the carousel, but with all that there is to do at Como Park, that means we’ll just have to come back again soon.

One day I was walking the path along Mississippi River Road when I spotted a barely noticeable break in the trees to my right. Curious, I leaned in to see more. A path! After a few more steps through the densely wooded space, a beautiful stone staircase unfolded before me, leading me down 102 steps to what felt like a hidden, shady retreat enhanced by the soothing purr of a stream. Sounds like some sort of dreamy fairytale, right?

To be honest, I thought I’d discovered a secret nature hideaway. There was no one else around. I practically expected leprechauns to pop out from the lush, vibrant green forest.

Turns out, it was the “Hidden Falls” portion of St. Paul’s Hidden Falls Regional Park. Not so secret after all! Still, when I brought my husband back a few days later, he confessed that in his 15+  years of living here, he’d never visited this particular part of the park.

As I continued wandering down the path, I came across the small, spring-fed “waterfall.” It was more like a trickle, but pretty nonetheless, and I’m sure it gets going in the springtime. The trail ends here and makes the perfect spot for a secluded picnic. Heading the other direction along the stream, I passed two gigantic bonfire pits— where I plan to return to with friends sometime—more lush green, and more beauty, until the path opened to a wide, grassy meadow dotted with big, old trees. This was the more publicly-known area of the park.

Up ahead I saw a parking lot where people in-the-know had simply driven in through the park’s north entrance off Mississippi River Road. Apparently I came in the back way—and in my mind, the more adventurous and scenic way.

Hidden Falls Regional Park feels like a one of St. Paul’s most scenic outdoor gems. Between the picnic areas, paths that wind along the Mississippi River and connect to Crosby Farm, a boat launch, and endless stretches of beach along the river, you could spend hours here just exploring. Or lounging in the grass. Or fishing for walleye, which I saw several folks doing. Or skipping rocks, like my husband did.

Now that I have discovered my not-so-secret secret hideaway, I’ll be back again and again. I’m sure I’ll see you there, but shhh—don’t tell too many people.

Where: Hidden Falls Regional Park, 1415 Mississippi River Blvd. S., Saint Paul, MN 55116

See an emerald swallowtail at the Como Conservatory's Blooming Butterflies exhibit.

It’s not every day  you see shimmery green stripes peeking out at you from between the leaves. At Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, you’ll not only see the emerald swallowtail butterfly, but hundreds of other winged creatures flitting about, too. The exhibit, Blooming Butterflies, is housed next to the conservatory in a giant tent shaped, appropriately, like a caterpillar.

The tent, shaped ever so cleverly like a caterpillar, for the Blooming Butterflies exhibit. (Photo courtesy of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory.)

I visited on a cloudy, drizzly day earlier this week and it was just the dose of nature I needed until the sun comes out again. On my way into the tent earlier this week, a volunteer stopped me at the door for a briefing.

“Do not touch the butterflies—let them come to you,” the volunteer explained. “Be careful of where you step. Butterflies may be on the walkway.” With that, he opened the doors leading to a butterfly wonderland. On trees, on flowers, flapping their delicate wings in the air—these winged beauties were everywhere!

Some people came with cameras and long lenses (no tripods allowed), zooming in to snap off what were sure to be gorgeous shots. I spotted a butterfly (or maybe a moth?) called the small postman with its bright red stripes on each black wing, a giant swallowtail, and at least seven or eight other varieties, too.

The exhibit is still waiting for a shipment of blue morphos from  South America. They’re probably the exhibit’s biggest draw, understandably. I saw these giant, fist-sized butterflies for myself when in Costa Rica years ago and I can’t wait to see them again… a good reason to return to the exhibit (with camera) in another month or so.

What: The Blooming Butterflies exhibit runs until Sept. 7, every day, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, 55103

Getting There: Find detailed driving directions to Como Park here.

Parking: There is plenty of free parking, though depending on the day and time of your visit, you may need to drive around a few times to snag a spot. Here is a link to a map of Como’s grounds an parking lot if you want to plan ahead.