MINNESOTA ZOO / "AFRICA!"

May 23-Sept. 7: The Minnesota Zoo is letting African animals — zebras, gemsbok, ostriches, giraffes and wildebeest — loose on six acres along the Northern Trail this summer. Opening weekend activities include African stiltwalkers and performances by an African drum and dance group. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Minnesota Zoo, 12000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley; $14 ages 13 and older, $8 children ages 3 to 12; parking $5; 952-431-9500 or mnzoo.com.

EXHIBIT / WOLVES AT THE BELL MUSEUM

May 23-Aug. 23: The fate of wolves, recently taken off the federal list of endangered species in Minnesota, is considered in the exhibit 'Wolves and Wild Lands in the 21st Century' opening at the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History. The exhibit includes mounted animals, photographs and paintings from the museum collection. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; 10 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis; $5 adults, $3 students, children ages 3-16 and seniors, free for children younger than 3; 612-624-7083 or www.bellmuseum.org.

HISTORY EXHIBIT / "MINNESOTA'S GREATEST GENERATION"

May 23: The new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, 'Minnesota's Greatest Generation,' uses recorded interviews, photographs, film footage and hundreds of artifacts to document the experiences of an entire generation, from

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childhood in the 1920s through World War II and into the present. Opening weekend activities include swing dance workshops, retro bingo games, cooking demonstrations, films, short dramas, children's activities and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17, free for children ages 5 and younger; 651-259-3000 or www.mnhs.org.

AMUSEMENT RIDES / COMO TOWN, CAFESJIAN'S CAROUSEL

Through October: Two attractions, Como Town and Cafesjian's Carousel, are open at Como Park, Midway Parkway and Kaufman Drive, St. Paul.

  • Como Town offers outdoor amusement rides, including the new Tornado! that sweeps riders off their feet and lets them control the spin. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with later hours to start May 22; 75 cents per ticket (rides cost one to four tickets), unlimited ride wristband $16.95; 651-487-2121 or comotown.com.

  • If you favor a slower pace, mount one of the 68 horses on the antique Cafesjian's Carousel. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed most Mondays; $1.50; ourfaircarousel.org..

    FILM / FREE FAMILY FLICKS

    Ongoing: The Theatres at Mall of America shows free family flicks every Saturday at 10 a.m. Arrive early to get a seat. See www.theatresmoa.com. to find out what's showing.

    NATURE / BIRDING

    Ongoing: See songbirds up close and watch experts band birds as part of an ongoing effort to help scientists learn more about bird migrations and habits. All ages welcome. Carpenter Nature Center has been capturing, banding and releasing birds for 26 years. 9 a.m. to noon every fourth Friday of the month, Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings; free; please call ahead to let them know you're coming; 651-437-4359 or CarpenterNatureCenter.org.