Como Zoo features indoor and outdoor exhibits, including large cats, primates, polar bears & aquatic animals. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory has permanent tropical and changing seasonal plants and flowers. Como Town, Family Amusement
Contact no:(651) 487 8201, (651) 487 8240
Location:1225 Estabrook Dr St. Paul, MN 55103
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If your grandchild is into comics, Big Brain is a comic fan’s paradise. This independent store run by young folks in the know is filled to the brim with everything from underground comics to anime, and hardcover collections from all eras. The shop is high ceilinged, clean, and sunny with a relatively small but choice selection. Sample the comic culture and encourage your grandteen’s hobby. And if you’re ready to go before they’re done delving into the stacks, you can always check out The Open Book coffee shop and gallery next door. It’s for the older grandchildren only, as there’s no room for running around and includes uncensored material.
Contact no:(612) 338-4390
Location:1027 Washington Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN 55415
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Springbrook Nature Center, located on 127 acres of parkland in the midst of a rapidly developing suburban area, includes an interpretive center, three miles of hiking trails (with about a third of a mile paved and handicapped accessible)
Contact no:(763) 572 3588
Location:100 – 85th Avenue Northwest Minneapolis, MN 55432
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Gaze at the stars, see planets and nebulae, and watch comets in the starry skies on clear Friday nights during the school year, on this rooftop hosted by the U of M’s Astronomy Department. Their website has helpful info on attending their stargazing events. Want to get away from the city lights? During the summer, the Astronomy Department travels to a dozen outlying state parks for the Universe in the Park weekend series. Seeing the heavens that much closer can make for a remarkable, eye-opening experience.
Contact no:(612) 626-0034
Location:116 Church Street South East, Room 450, Minneapols, MN 55455
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Lake Calhoun is part of the Chain of Lakes and is a popular site for fishing, wind surfing, swimming, sailing, canoeing, walking, jogging, biking and roller- and in-line skating. In 1999, the Chain of Lakes drew over 5.5 million visitors making the Lakes the second most popular visitor destination after the Mall of America.
Contact no:(612) 230-6400
Location:3000 Calhoun Pkwy. Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Nutritious, creatively delicious breakfast and lunch is served up in this sunny wooden room in the Linden Hills neighborhood. It’s on the small side, so weekend seating can be a challenge, but the fresh and good food make for a delightful meal. Menu standouts include buckwheat pancakes, their muffins, and the eggs benedict with asparagus. They welcome children, but keep in mind it’s a one-room place with other tables close by, so if the grandchildren are feeling fidgety and feisty it isn’t the best time to visit.
Contact no:(612) 920-3606
Location:2803 West 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
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It’s relatively small, boisterous, and truly delicious here. Whether you’re looking for fried pickles and cheese curds or a healthy gourmet dish, the Town Talk features a little of each, guided by personable staff who know all about how their menu is made. Besides the curious mix of healthy diner fare, and happy staff, of special note are Town Talk’s shakes and malts — thick and flavorful — with adult (spiked) versions available as well. Take your sweet tooths over for dinner time and weekend brunch.
Contact no:(612) 722-1312
Location:2707 1/2 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55406
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Consistently rated as a must-stop spot for visitors, the popular Sebastian Joe’s scoops up quality handmade ice cream in a wide and creative range of flavors, and has good coffee, drinks, and wifi like any good cafe should. Your grandchildren are a great excuse to visit more often! Sebastian Joe’s mixes more than 120 recipes, so the menu changes regularly. They offer classic flavors like chocolate and their much-raved about vanilla, in addition to some more imaginative flavors. Everyone has their favorites, but be sure to get a few sample spoons before deciding; sometimes what sounds the weirdest is the most delicious like the roasted garlic (seriously) or the spicy cayenne chocolate. Their ice cream isn’t just for summer, so when temperatures dip below freezing in January and February, Sebastian Joe’s give you a discount to celebrate! Their wedge location on Franklin and Hennepin is at an interesting intersection of neighborhoods offering good people-watching, comfy chairs, and 24 flavors every day. The newer shop in Linden Hills is a little smaller with 16 flavors on hand, but is extra family friendly and lies near fellow winning listings Creative Kidstuff and Wild Rumpus.
Contact no:(612) 870-0065
Location:1007 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405
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Introduce your grandchild to phosphates and malts at this historic landmark dining car parked in downtown St. Paul. Decidedly unfancy, and a local favorite, Mickey’s menu features standard diner fare, and the booths feature mini jukeboxes with old-timey selections. Not recommended on weekends or during peak lunch hours as this wee location has just four booths and a counter, but the wood paneled classic car makes for an intimate nostalgic trip and a potential for celebrity-sighting.
Contact no:(651) 222-5633
Location:36 Seventh Street, West, St. Paul, MN 55102
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Just a walk over the pedestrian bridge from the Walker’s Sculpture Garden and overlooking Loring Park is Joe’s Garage; a cool restaurant with large (garage door style) windows and a great rooftop patio for the warmer months. Joe’s Garage features a tasty family brunch on Sundays 10am to 2pm, and their regular, non-breakfasty menu has an entire section devoted to flavored mashed potatoes! Choose a topping and share as an appetizer: Joe’s potatoes can be topped with (of course) gravy, but how about bratwurst or red Thai curry sauce? There are definitely new spins on this standard dish to tempt your picky eater.
Contact no:(612) 904-1163
Location:1610 Harmon Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Learn more here.
