Kids Fun In Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota

Outdoors or indoors, there's so much for families to see and experience in the Twin Cities.

There's twice as much for families to do in Minnesota's Twin Cities. For general information about lodging, dining, and events as well as attractions, visit www.minneapolis.org and www.stpaulcvb.org.

The Children’s Theatre Company
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612/864-0400
Considered by many to be the pre-eminent children’s theater in the country, in 2003 CTC received the first Tony Award for Regional Theatre ever given to a theatre for children. Recently expanded it now offers a second stage for performances designed for both teens and pre-schoolers. The repertoire includes children’s classics, tales from around the world and original works written in-house. Plan ahead and be sure to order tickets well in advance for this very popular venue.

Gameworks   
600 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612/656-7300
This place, part of an entertainment chain developed by Steven Spielberg, is the capital of indoors fun. Open every day from 11am to midnight, this is THE place for those who are serious about games. Come here to eat, drink, play and have a ball.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
725 Vineland Place
Minneapolis, MN 55124
612/375-7600
While the Walker Art Center might bore kids of this age, fun awaits directly across the street at an extension of the museum - the fabulous Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Over 40 sculptures including Minneapolis’ iconic “Spoonbridge and Cherry” are on display in the largest outdoor urban sculpture park in the country. Here you will find a huge lawn encircled by trees and flowers – perfect for running around, a pond and a huge glass greenhouse. Kids really respond to the many whimsical and curious forms by famous such famous artists as Claes Oldenburg, Frank Gehry and Alexander Calder. Check the garden’s site for a schedule of family activities, and pick up a WAC Pack with free family activities for both the museum and the garden at the Walker.

Segway Tours of Minnesota
125 East Main Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
800/749-5584, 952/888-9200
Families with kids over 13 up to those collecting Social Security can try a new mode of transportation on a three-hour guided city tour. Begin at St. Anthony Main, and see the St. Anthony Falls, Stone Arch Bridge, Mill Ruins Park and Mill City Museum, plus other riverfront sites on two wheels. Not by bike, but by electric personal assistive mobility device, commercially known as a Segway. You can master it quite quickly, and it's great fun. The company's Magical History Tour along the historic Mississippi riverfront is a favorite. Before you rock 'n' roll, note that safety is paramount, so beginner tours include Segway training, refreshments and a helmet.

Hiking, Biking & Boating
Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, Lake and of the Isles and Cedar Lake make up the Chain of Lakes in Uptown Minneapolis. These spots are popular for boating, swimming and fishing, and throughout the city, lakeside paths draw joggers, bicyclists and roller bladders. Lake Minnetonka is located in nearby Wayzata and offers swimming, boat rentals, cruises and entertainment.

The Three Rivers Park District offers facilities for every season from hiking to cross-country skiing and Minnehaha Park and Falls is a favorite spot where family-friendly activities are available for residents and visitors.

Baseball, Basketball & Hockey
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (900 South Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415; 612/332-0386) is the home of the AL World Series Champion Minnesota Twins and the NFL Minnesota Vikings.

The Target Center (600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403; 612/673-0900) hosts both the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx (women’s basketball).

Across the way at the XCEL/Rivercentre (199 West Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55102; 651/265-4800), families can catch the NHL Minnesota Wild hockey team and the Minnesota Swarm Lacrosse Team.