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Stone Arch Bridge & Mill Ruins Park

10 Things to Do in The Twin Cities with Kids Under $10

things to do with kids in minneapolis st. paul

Looking for fun things to do in the Twin Cities? Well, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota are filled with great places to explore with the kids. Nearby Bloomington has some great ones too! It just so happens that many of these fun things, as an added bonus, don’t break the bank either. That means you do more with less and save your money for other things. Like MORE travel or adventure!

Fun Things to do in the Twin Cities with Kids

I was recently on a sponsored press trip to the Twin Cities with Roseville Visitors Association, Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit St. Paul, and Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association. It was my first trip to Minnesota and I found so many fun places to explore. Here is my top ten list of things to do in the Twin Cities with kids. It’s not an exhaustive list but the ones I would highly recommend for under $10 per person.

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Walker Art’s Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Part city park, part sculpture garden, it’s the perfect example of why Minneapolis is called “City by Nature”. The garden is free to visit and is located just across the street from the Walker Art Center.

Stonebridge & Cherry 0 Walker Art Center Outdoor Garden -

Stroll the park’s 19 acres and view 40 sculptures including the famous Stonebridge ad Cherry and the Blue Rooster. Download the Interactive Garden Map to experience the garden in a way you may not expect.

Take a stroll to see Minnehaha Falls

The Minnehaha Falls Regional Park is a expansive green space in the heart of Minneapolis. The crowning jewel is the 53 foot tall waterfall.

Minnehaha Falls

The water flows through the park which provides plenty of walking trails, park area, and more. It’s a great getaway in the city.

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Did you know there’s a national park in St. Paul? Actually it’s a national recreation area. But, YES there is! Just inside the Science Museum of Minnesota you’ll find interactive exhibits at the Mississippi River Visitor Center.

Mississippi River Visitor Center

Learn more about the river’s biology, history, and more. Don’t miss the flying simulator.

Take a Nice Ride

Why explore on 2 feet when you can explore on two wheels. Find one of Minnesota’s bike-sharing program’s Nice Ride kiosks all around the city and go for a ride.

Nice Bike Minnesota

You can cruise along the river, downtown, or anywhere you like. Cost is $3 per half hour or $6 for a 24 hour pass

Visit Stone Arch Bridge and Mill Ruins Park

Minneapolis is also known as Mill City because it once was home to the world’s largest flour mill. The site of that mill is now home to the Mill City Museum.

Stone Arch Bridge & Mill Ruins Park

The area around this area is a great place to visit. The Park trails will take you past the ruins of the old mill (now museum) and other are landmarks. The bridge is in this same area and is one of the city’s iconic spots.

Landmark Center Tour

Chicago isn’t the only town with gangster history. The historic Landmark Center in St. Paul was once a federal courthouse that saw the likes of “Ma’ Barker and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. The building also once housed a post office.

Landmark Center - Things to do in Twin Cities with kids

Today you can visit the building and learn more on one of the free weekly tours or schedule a special Gangster Tour for $6 per person. The center also houses free museums and exhibits like the American Association of Woodturners Gallery and the Schubert Club Museum dedicated to instruments.

Visit with the Peanuts & F. Scott Fitzgerald

Rice Park directly across from the Landmark Center is the home to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Charles Schultz’s beloved Peanuts. Well their statutes anyway.

Charles Schultz' Peanuts Statutes - Things to do in minneapolis with kids

Snap a picture with Charlie Brown Lucy, or Snoopy. If you find yourself here at lunch time, the food trucks that frequent the area are definitely worth a stop.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

The Como Park Zoo is one of the last remaining free zoos in the United States. It’s easy to see why this is one of Minnesota’s most visited attractions. The kids will love to visit the polar bears and penguins. Take in a sea lion show or take in one of keeper chats.

Baby Orangutan at the Como Park Zoo- Things to do in Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) with kids
Baby Orangutan

Be sure to stop by and see the new zoo babies. The zoo has welcomed the several new additions including a Western Lowland Gorilla and Reticulated Giraffe.

Como Park Zoo Giraffes
Violet and her mom

Admission is free but a $2-$3 donation is suggested.

Stroll Through the Mall Of America

You can’t have a list of things to do in the Twin Cities without a trip here. After all, it is the largest mall in the states complete with indoor amusement park Nickelodeon Universe.

Mall of America - Things to do in Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) with kids

There are ALL kinds of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The attractions are paid, but there are plenty of art exhibits and events happening here.

Prince Exhibit at Mall of America's Hard Rock Cafe

If you are a Prince fan, be sure to visit the Hard Rock Cafe to view the exhibit dedicated to the artist. If you are hungry, the mall has come great restaurants too!

Explore Lake Calhoun

This SW Minneapolis lake is a favorite to go kayaking, SUPing,  or boating on.

Stand Up Paddleboarding on Lake Calhoun - Things to do in Minneapolis/St. Paul (Twin Cities) with kids

A a warm day, you’ll often see sailboats on the lake. Enjoy a stroll along one of the lake’s many trails or bring your kayak or canoe for a paddle.

Kayaks and Peddleboats at Lake Calhoun

If you don’t have one you can rent one from Wheel Fun RentalsWheel Fun Rentals. If you want to splurge a little, the double paddle boats are GREAT fun!

Can Can Wonderland

This entertainment venue is one of a kind. Designed by local artists, Can Can Wonderland is equal parts art, entertainment, and recreation. Be sure to check out the unique miniature golf course and Boardwalk Arcade.

Can Can Wonderland games

In the arcade you’ll find vintage arcade games, pinball, and table games like ping pong. You can spend all the quarters you want or opt for a free game of ping pong. The food, cocktails, and soda shop drinks are not to be missed either.

During my recent stay in the Twin Cities area, I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott in Roseville, MN. It’s a great place to stay because it’s only a 10 minute drive to Minneapolis and St. Paul. It’s right off the highway and provides easy access to any of these things to do in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. If you want to stay on the northwest side of Minneapolis, look at the Holiday Inn Maple Grove. It has an indoor water park and is less than 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. 

Disclaimer: Thank you to the Roseville Visitors Association, Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit St. Paul, and Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association for the accommodations, dining and attractions tickets. All opinions are my own and are based on my recent visit to the Twin Cities area.

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Written by:
Nicky Omohundro
Published on:
October 26, 2017
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Categories: Family TravelTags: family travel destinations

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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Hello, my name is Nicky, founder of Little Family Adventure. I'm a vivacious mother of three who wants to assist you in having "No Child Left Inside." With one teenager still at home and two young adults successfully out navigating the world, I'm out exploring the world and traveling with and sometimes without them to provide you with fresh food ideas, travel destinations, and family-friendly activities. Allow me to help you discover your own Little Family Adventure!

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