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
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Izzy’s makes such rich and delicious ice cream that it’s used at some fine restaurants around the Twin Cities, but for the true sampling of their amazing flavor selection, head down to Izzy’s St. Paul parlor. Scoops can come in smaller sizes and, in addition to making the standard flavors taste brand new Izzy’s serves up surprising flavors that are amazing, such as cotton candy, salted caramel, and green tea. And some of the flavors that sound as delicious as they are include hot brown sugar, strawberry cheesecake, dulce de leche, and banana macadamia nut. Mouth watering yet? Well take the lucky grandchild over to Izzy’s ice cream for a scoop. Even in the wintertime, what kid doesn’t like ice cream? This eco-conscious ice cream shop now generates a quarter of its power with solar panels.
Contact no:(651) 603-1458
Location:2034 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104
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Oh yes, let’s go to cupcake, please! The name’s a pleasure to say, but their baked goods are even better to eat and our mouths are already watering. Dozens of gourmet cupcakes widen eyes in anticipation of glorious sugar rushes. And if we must have a meal before our dessert, there are salads, pizza, and some cafe fare, too. Cupcake’s creator is a pastry chef who has worked weddings and at the Ritz-Carlton. Luckily now we get to enjoy his delectable expertise in a much more casual, friendly setting.
Contact no: (612) 378-4818
Location:3338 University Avenue, South East, Minneapolis, MN 55414
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Uptown’s Chino Latino is worth a gander with grandchildren old enough to see and reach over the table. With chic, urban decor, a loud two tier atmosphere and extra-colorful drinks served in pineapples and jello-molds (just get one minus the hooch for your accomplice), their menu features food from around the equator. The entrees get pricey, but you can keep it simple with a sampler of three sides, tacos, and desserts, which are decadent and delicious. A fun, tastebud-kicking place for adults and sophistikids.
Contact no:(612) 824-7878
Location: 2916 Hennepin Avenue, South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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It’s a dangerous name that might trigger all sorts of snack fantasies in your grandchild’s head (which no mortal store could live up to)… but Candyland is still worth a trip, specializing in dreamy snacks of the old-fashioned variety. Delectable popcorn flavors, chocolate covered nibbles, taffy, lollipops, and hard candies deliver a rainbow of flavor sure to tickle any grandchild’s tastebuds. Candyland has three locations in the Twin Cities.
Contact no:(612) 292-1191
Location:27 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Learn more here.
