Experience the Minnesota Zoo after hours

• Plus, we could purchase beer, wine and zoo-themed cocktails.

Who made it great: Lucky, Kai, Noelani and Spree, four of the seven bottlenose dolphins Minnesota is temporarily hosting as their home at Illinois' Brookfield Zoo undergoes renovations.

• This wasn't the first after-hours event, but the zoo hasn't held dolphins since 2012.
• When they publicly debuted last December, their tank quickly became one of the most popular — and crowded— spots, volunteers told me.

My thought bubble: This was worth every penny of my $15 admission. It was quiet and calm with no crowds — a unique experience.

• It's also worth visiting — with or without kids— before the dolphins return to Illinois. When I went, they swam right up to the glass.

• A spokesperson told me they'll likely be around through the end of May.

What's next: Tickets ($25) go on sale soon for the April 29 after-hours experience. This time, the entire zoo will be open.

• The Treetop Trail, a walkway built on the former monorail tracks that lets pedestrians view the zoo from above, is set to open this summer.

Watch the dolphins in action via our Instagram.