Twin City Activities for Kids
Great Minneapolis and St. Paul Children's Attractions
The Twin Cities are a down to earth and kid-friendly place, with lots of indoor and outdoor attractions for everyone. Here are four of the best things to do with your kids on your trip to Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Minnesota Children's Museum. (10 West Seventh Street, St. Paul). Located in downtown St. Paul, the mission of the Children's Museum is "sparking children's learning through play." The museum is best suited for children up to about eight years old. In the highly interactive exhibits, children can crawl through a giant ant hill, hang out in a beaver den, and race boats down a water chute. For infants and toddlers, there's the special Habitot exhibit, where they can crawl and walk through four Minnesota habitats. In the summer, enjoy the outdoor Rooftop Art Park. Tickets are $7.95 for kids and adults. For more information, call 651–225–6001.
Mall of America .(Interstate 494 and Highway 77, Bloomington). When you live in a climate that's comparable to Moscow, indoor activities are important-- so parents appreciate the Mall of America! Kids can enjoy Mall of America attractions such as The Park at MOA, which includes two roller coasters, a log flume, and lots of rides for little ones. Another great attraction is the Underwater Adventures Aquarium, with moving walkways that transport guests through a hallway of massive aquariums filled with sea creatures. There's plenty of restaurants at the Mall of America that are kid-friendly, such as The Rainforest Cafe, where kids can sit among tropical foliage and exotic tanks of fish as they wait for the "rain" to begin.
Como Park Zoo and Como Town. (1225 Eastbrook Drive, St. Paul). A zoo and an amusement park, all in one outing! Located next to Lake Como, one of the Twin Cities' many beautiful lakes, the Como Zoo offers eight exhibits, including the new Tropical Encounters exhibit. Adjacent to the zoo is Como Town, an amusement park for children ages 1 -12. There are lots of rides for little ones, including tea cups and a carousel. For older kids, there's a roller coaster, a free fall ride, and a new bumper car course. The zoo is free; small donations are requested. Como Town sells an unlimited ride wristband for $16.95. While you're at Como, you might also want to stop by the Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory, a beautiful structure filled with countless tropical plants and flowers.
Valleyfair! (County Road 101, Shakopee). With over 75 rides and attractions, Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in the upper Midwest. There's quite a variety of thrill rides, including the Wild Thing, a coaster with a 200-foot, 60-degree drop, and the Renegade Outlaw Coaster, the perilous new Wild West themed wooden coaster. For little ones, there over a dozen rides and attractions, including the Mild Thing. You'll also want to bring your bathing suits and check out the Whitewater County Waterpark, which is included in the admission price. Older kids can enjoy water slides and the thrilling Hurricane Falls raft ride, and little ones can play at the Splash Station and Giggle Run. Admission is $35.95 for adults, and $11.95 for kids 3 and older who are under 48" tall; kids 2 and under enter for free. For more information, call 1-800-FUN-RIDE.
See also:
Indoor Waterparks in Minnesota
Fall Apple Picking in the Twin Cities
Cheap Flights to the Twin Cities
