YouTube Sensation Snake Discovery is a Hands-On Zoo in Minnesota

If you’re in the mood for something fun and a little out of the ordinary, there’s a Minnesota spot you should know about. Even if you’re not a full-blown reptile enthusiast, and even if your experience with snakes is limited to jumping when a stick looks suspicious, this place looks pretty cool.

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It’s called Snake Discovery, a reptile-focused zoo in Maplewood (about 5 miles east of St. Paul) that’s become one of the most unexpectedly fun attractions in the state. What started as a small YouTube channel by creators Emily and Ed has grown into a full-scale zoo and a massive online fandom. Their channel now boasts more than 3.39 million subscribers and 1.2 BILLION views.

Snake Discovery is all about hands-on education, and they truly mean “hands-on.” Inside the zoo, you’ll find more than 75 exhibits filled with snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and a bunch of invertebrates you’ve probably never heard of but will end up weirdly fascinated by.

You can crawl into a tunnel and get face-to-face with an alligator, shine flashlights into their Invert Cave to find hidden critters, complete a scavenger hunt, and even touch a snake if you’re feeling brave enough. It’s all indoors, walk-in friendly, and surprisingly fun even if you’ve never considered yourself a “reptile person.”

They also offer free guided tours every single day. During the tour, a zookeeper walks you through the exhibits, shares fun facts, and lets you interact with a few species. If luck is on your side, you might even get your hand licked by a tegu, which is one of those experiences you don’t really expect to have in Minnesota. The whole setup is meant to get people of all ages comfortable learning about reptiles up close, and it works.

One of the biggest draws is the chance to meet Emily, the same Emily your kids watch on YouTube. She does meet-and-greets most weekends from 1 to 4 p.m., and there’s no extra charge to say hello or grab a photo. She’s usually wandering through the zoo anyway, talking with guests and answering questions. Ed, according to the website, is “typically in back because he’s scared of large crowds,” but if you spot him, he’s happy to stop for a picture too.

Snake Discovery is located in Maplewood, and everything inside is designed to be family-friendly and accessible. No reservations are required, just show up and explore.

If you’re looking for a fun indoor outing, especially during the months when stepping outside in Minnesota feels like an act of bravery, this is an easy win. You’ll walk out having learned something and probably end up watching their YouTube videos on the drive home.