Things to do in and around Minneapolis

[BigMamaBird]

Hi all,

 

We were planning an out west this summer but with gas prices and some unexpected financial things, we're probably not going to be able to do it. However, since we'll be going to the northern Iowa/Illinois border a week after the kids' birthday's, we thought we'd take a mini-trip to the Mall of America in Minneapolis to take in Legoland and American Girl. What are some not to be missed local things for the younger kid set? History tours, museums, fun nature things?

 

Thanks!

[clementine]

About 45 minutes west of the Mall of America is a wonderful landscape arboretum affiliated with the University of MN. Here is the link:

 

http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/default.aspx

 

The MN History Center is great too!

 

http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/

 

The Como Zoo is free (a voluntary donation if you'd like):

 

http://www.comozooconservatory.org/

 

 

Okay, I'll stop now & let someone else have a chance. ;)

[Mergath]

The Science Museum in St. Paul is great.

 

http://www.smm.org/

 

And I'm only a couple hours from there. Come visit us! :D

[EthiopianFood]

If money isn't an issue, the Minnesota Zoo is much bigger than Como, and is closer to MOA.

http://www.mnzoo.com/

 

MOA also has an aquarium that's pretty neat, again depending on budget.

http://www.visitsealife.com/Minnesota/

 

I will second the Science Museum!

[KatieJ]

If you can, drive north to Mpls along the Mississippi river thru Winona and then Wabasha and Lake City and into Red Wing. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Red Wing is home to the famous Red Wing shoes and Red Wing Pottery.

There is an enormous Red Wing boot in the store downtown, and a little bit of a museum.

Red Wing Pottery has a store and a there are many shops in the old factory. We did take the trolley tour around Red Wing and that was really interesting. There is a cruise down the River too.

 

 

There is a National Eagle Center in Wabasha. DH and I stopped in there and loved it. They house rescued Eagles and give daily talks about them.

http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/

[bethben]

There's a great children's museum in St. Paul which is a hop skip and jump away:

http://www.mcm.org/

 

There is also a great park in Bloomington (where the mall is) that's free(?) called chutes and ladders here:

http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/hyland-lake-park.aspx

There are a ton of tunnels to climb through and large slides.

 

If it's raining there is this indoor park ($5 or so a kid): http://www.edinboroughpark.com/content/facilities/edinborough_park/adventure_peak/index.htm - it has a huge climbing area, a jump/bounce blow up thing, a pool, and a large gym with scooters and basketballs to play with.

 

Beth

[BigMamaBird]

Wow! Thanks for the ideas ladies!

 

We're going to a wedding on the Mississippi River, so it would be really fun to travel along it.

 

Zoos, Science Centers, Kid's Museums, sounds like we're not going to feel too bad about missing out on our Out West vacation!

[Bug's Mom]

If you can, drive north to Mpls along the Mississippi river thru Winona and then Wabasha and Lake City and into Red Wing. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Red Wing is home to the famous Red Wing shoes and Red Wing Pottery.

There is an enormous Red Wing boot in the store downtown, and a little bit of a museum.

Red Wing Pottery has a store and a there are many shops in the old factory. We did take the trolley tour around Red Wing and that was really interesting. There is a cruise down the River too.

 

Red Wing is my hometown! We moved 4 1/2 years ago, but get back there a few times each year.