Phalen Lake is ringed by a 3.2-mile trail great for strolling and biking, and offers fishing, boating, a beach and swim area, a sand volleyball court, concessions, covered picnic areas, a playground, an 18-hole golf course, and an amphitheater. The Phalen Recreation Center is on the west side of the lake.
Contact no:(651) 771 7507, (651) 776 9833
Location:1530 Phalen Drive Street, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Learn more here.
Major League Baseball’s Twins play in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis, until the 2010 season when the team will open the baseball-specific Target Statdium. The Twins compete in the Central Division of the American League, and their chief rivals are divisional foes like the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Grandchildren love a winner and the Twins have been very good in recent years, winning division titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006.
Contact no:(612) 375-1366
Location:34 Kirby Puckett Place, Minneapolis, MN 55415
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In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, a great array of music concerts of all kinds happen inside the Hall and under the summer stars in neighboring Peavey Plaza. While this fantastic cultural tradition has been going nearly 30 years, usually in July or August, the past few years have welcomed a new touch: 24 hours straight of music as the kickoff with an incredible overnight lineup featuring bands big and small; a great reason to stay up past bedtime. Expect crowds for the popular groups on this Day of Music and enjoy vendors and relaxing to live musical entertainment at earlier concerts throughout the weeks of Sommerfest.
Contact no:(612) 371-5600
Location:1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Learn more here.
Yes, a real puppet theater! They put on shows for young kids and even offer puppet-making workshops. Show material ranges for different age groups. The Heart of the Beast is also behind the annual Mayday Parade at Powderhorn Park, which always features terrific giant puppets and costumed artists.
Contact no: (612) 721-2535
Location:1500 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
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Train rides and fun for the whole family! MN Transportation Museum’s Jackson Street Roundhouse is open year-round. Housing the museum’s classic collection of railroad rolling stock, memorabilia, and exhibits, the roundhouse is also the base of the museum’s railroad restorations. See the “Casey Jones” steam locomotive undergo restoration. Plus, watch one of the nation’s last surviving operational turntables. The roundhouse is open year round for visitors and groups of any size. Experience the Twin Cities only interactive railroad facility that’s been in continuous operation for over 100 years. Today, it houses a fully interactive train museum featuring restored railcars, locomotives, operating signals, model trains and children’s play area. Take a caboose, Rock Island Rocket or turntable ride. Also, check out the web site for all the other train related activities offered by the Minnesota Transportation Museum.
Contact no:(651) 228-0263
Location:193 Pennsylvania Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130
Learn more here.
Como Park is smaller than the Minnesota Zoo, but it’s set in a lovely park with a historic merry-go-round (see Cafesjian’s Carousel), a garden and greenhouse, a lake with paddleboat rentals and an old-time pavilion. Como Park is a great place to visit and have a picnic, see things and play, so head over on the next nice day! The Como Zoo features dozens of animals, including popular new additions like Jenga the baby giraffe, Dash the zebra, a baby monkey, and twin tamarinds; all born at the zoo since Fall 2006! Como Park also regularly stages events for kids (such as Go Diego and Radio Disney) as well as for adults (botanical shows).
Contact no:(651) 487-8200
Location:1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul, MN 55103
Learn more here.
You can’t get much hipper than the Walker Art Center. This modern art museum includes the active engagement of audiences in its mission statement and does a great job inspiring creativity in visitors of all ages. The Walker’s super-cool kid and family interactives will get the artistic energy going. They host art-making, storytime, films, playdates, and other fun events, and free first Saturdays (of each month) are always chock-full of activities for kids. Admission to the Walker is always free for those 11 and younger, but for older grandchildren who want to simply look at the art and hang out in a hip atmosphere every Thursday night has open access too, and is thus busier minus the kiddie activities. The Walker is across the street from the Sculpture Garden and Loring Park, so an outing can be combined with some outside playtime, too!
Contact no:(612) 375-7600
Location:1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Learn more here.
Help your young kin learn that science is fun with a visit to the Science Museum of Minnesota. See dinosaurs, mummies, and a tornado, and play with lights, magnets, sound, and crystals in the Experiment Gallery. In addition to their educational exhibits, the Museum houses an Omnitheater, a 3D theater, occasional live shows and themed hands-on events. While the Science Museum has been in operation for 100 years now, it’s located in a great new building on the riverfront bluffs in downtown St. Paul, and summertime expands the museum into the Big Back Yard, featuring mini-golf (with a science theme), panning for gems and other activities. Related family programs out at the Warner Nature Center in St. Croix are also well worth a trip (just call ahead to register). When visiting the Science Museum, note that parking can be trickier on Minnesota Wild Game (or other big downtown event) days.
Contact no:(651) 221-9444
Location:120 West Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55102
Learn more here.
The new Central branch of the Minneapolis Library is a great stop for both adults and kids of all ages. The stunning architecture by Cesar Pelli is seemingly triangular with walls made of glass, making this five floor building the most sunny, spacious library imaginable. On the second floor, Teen Central welcomes older grandchildren with cool, Urban Outfitters-style décor and a collection specific to teen interests and needs. The first floor’s Children’s Library area was designed for families and ages 0 to 12 to be comfortable and explore the “largest children’s collection in the Upper Midwest,” with books in 30 languages. Saturday mornings feature storytime for babies age 0 to 2, and Wednesdays have a story program for preschoolers (ages 3 to 5). The Central library also presents free Movietime for kids on Saturdays in the library’s Pohland Hall, screening classic and world cinema for young audiences with a morning show for ages 3 and older (preceded by a short activity and snacks) each week, and an afternoon show for ages 8 and older every other week.
Contact no:(612) 630-6000
Location:300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Learn more here.
For half a century, Minneapolis was the king of flour milling. Overlooking the Mississippi River, the nation’s largest mill exploded here in 1878 when a flour dust cloud ignited. The remains now serve as an open air courtyard (site of free summer concerts) at the entrance of the Mill City Museum, which presents the history of the flour milling industry. This might sound like a dry topic, but this award-winning museum makes history fun with hands-on exhibits and multimedia presentations, making it a surprisingly popular and enjoyable spot. The aroma of baking bread fills the air in the kids’ baking lab, you’ll get a tour of the old mill via elevator stops, and the nineth floor’s outdoor deck affords a great view. Mill City Museum offers four age-specific, self-guided Scavenger Hunts for kids grades K-12 to make the visit even more engaging. The museum is easily accessible, located along the River Parkway bike path near metered parking, and just blocks from the Gateway (bus) Transit Center and the Metrodome light rail station. Just look for the giant yellow Gold Medal Flour letters!
Contact no:(612) 341-7555
Location:704 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Learn more here.
