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In under an hour, you can drive your car through the arctic, the ocean, grasslands, temperate forest, tropical forest, and Minnesota — all with one trip to the Minnesota Zoo. 

The Zoo’s new exhibit, Nature Illuminated, features massive inflatable replicas based on animals from all over the world. They are lit up with colorful lights and accompanied by a guided audio tour played through your car stereo. 

The one-of-a-kind animals were produced locally by Landmark Creations in Burnsville, Minn., using all reusable materials. Some of them took up to six weeks to craft. 

The exhibit, which opened Thursday, lets cars get up close and personal with replica animals — some of which are nearly 20 feet tall — while shining a light on at-risk and endangered species. 

You can purchase tickets per vehicle from the Minnesota Zoo.

Nature Illuminated

Photos

Arts and Culture

Evan Frost

Author

Local artists and the Minnesota Zoo have teamed up to bring the zoo to life at night with giant replica animals and a light show that you can see from behind the wheel.

Evan Frost | MPR News

The moon over a giant turtle and blue trees.

A giant turtle with blue trees behind as cars drive past.

Cars drive a hazy road with inflatable animals on both sides. 

A giant fake white rabbit and a fake lynx.

A road leading to a giant fake moose and fake owl.

A giant fake moose with a blue sky and trees.

Photos: It’s Lit! Minnesota Zoo illuminates nature for drive by exhibit

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