Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have a reputation for being cold and wintry, but the summers are quite warm. The Cities were rated "Most Fun City in America" by game maker Cranium, and there is a plethora of fun things to do with children, outdoors and indoors, in every season.
OUTDOORS
Minnesota is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", but it actually has at least a thousand more than its catchphrase proclaims, so it's no surprise that waterskiing was invented there in 1922. The seven-county Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area contains over 25 lakes, so there is no shortage of space for aquatic fun.
Within the city of Minneapolis, there is the Chain of Lakes, made up of Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Lake Harriet, and Lake Calhoun, all of which are popular spots for walking, running, swimming, and inline skating, and have ample space for strollers. Lake Harriet is especially popular because of its bandshell with free concerts, some geared especially toward kids, its bird sanctuary, peace gardens, and rose gardens. Look on the south shore for the tree with a small wooden door built into the bottom. This is where an elf named "Mr. Little Guy" lives, and during the summer months, kids can leave letters in the tree and receive responses by mail.
The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul each have over 150 parks, and Minneapolis has 12 large gardens, as well as a number of smaller gardens.
Also, check out Lake Nokomis, a beautiful lake located in South Minneapolis. Or, walk the trails along Minnehaha Parkway, which leads to Minnehaha Falls. Both the Parkway and the Falls are part of the Grand Rounds, a 50-mile loop of trails and roads.
In winter, the trails are not as populated, but are still used, especially for cross-country skiing. Inline skaters can go to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, usually home to the Twins and Vikings, but opened for skating once a week, a great activity for kids. In the Minneapolis park system, there are also many areas for sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, and skating, and many areas allow rentals. Since Minnesota winters can be harsh, the citizens of St. Paul have created a winter carnival that has been going on for over a century. Every January or February, the famed carnival takes place for about a week, and a giant ice castle is constructed. There are a few places for downhill skiing in the area, including Hyland Ski and Snowboard in Bloomington (just south of Minneapolis), Buck Hill in Burnsville (southern suburb), and Afton Alps in Afton (eastern suburb), and all have smaller hills that are more suitable for children.
ART
The Walker Art Center is an exciting contemporary art museum with a large collection of modernist works. They also feature events such as artist talks, plays, and film screenings in the Walker Auditorium. On weekends, there are often interactive family programs, and classes are offered for children. Free on Thursdays and the first Saturday of every month.
Also, be sure to check out the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, a joint project of the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Park Board. The largest outdoor sculpture garden in the nation, it contains the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, which is often used as a symbol of the city on postcards and the like. Some sculptures, such as one that is a giant swing, are interactive and fun for kids.
Of course, for the shopaholics, there is the world-famous Mall of America, which has over 500 stores and attracts 40 million visitors per year. Kids will enjoy Camp Snoopy, the central theme park; Legoland, where tables of Legos are set up for play; the aquarium Underwater Adventures; or seeing a movie at the 15-screen theater.
MUSEUMS
The Bakken Museum, located on the northwest side of Lake Calhoun, is dedicated to electricity and devices that use electricity. Many of its exhibits are tactile, and visitors are invited to touch them.
The Science Museum, built into a bluff on the riverfront in St. Paul, is a popular destination for families, with many educational exhibits for children. Parents will also find the collection from the former Museum of Questionable Medical Devices to be an amusing diversion.
The Minnesota Children's Museum is geared toward children ages six months to ten years, but adults may even find it fun. There are seven galleries dedicated to letting children explore and learn about various topics, including music and science.
The Children's Theater Company, an organization with child actors, puts on plays year-round. It is located in the same building as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, so you and your child can explore both in the same day, or, some members of your party can explore the museum while others see a play.
ZOOS
Open year-round, the Como Conservatory and Zoo are located in St. Paul. The Zoo is free of charge, and the Conservatory requires an inexpensive donation. During the warmer months, there are amusement rides, a carousel, mini golf, and educational shows. Parents may enjoy the adjacent Japanese gardens. Strollers are available for rental.
One of the nation's top zoos, the Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, a suburb just south of the airport. It is a great place for children to learn about animals, indoors and outdoors, and about the environment. The "Northern Trail", located outdoors, has animals that are native to Minnesota. Children particularly enjoy riding the monorail and visiting the petting zoo.
This is just a sampling of the fun, child-friendly destinations to see when you visit the vibrant Twin Cities. If you come to visit, you will surely discover many more!
Print article ||
Send to friend ||
Publish this Article ||
Author feedback ||
Add new Comment ||
Article Comments
