Minneapolis City Guide: Attractions

Bell Museum of Natural History
10 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 624-7083
www.bellmuseum.org
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 12pm-5pm
Price: Children (ages 3-17): $4, Adults (ages 18-64): $6, Seniors (ages 65+): $4. Admission is free on Sundays
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

The Bell Museum of Natural History is home to fascinating exhibits that will teach you and your grandchildren about life in prehistoric times. One of the museum’s most beloved exhibits is the Touch and See Discovery Room, where visitors are encouraged to get up close and personal with the artifacts, including a 10,000 year old wooly mammoth tusk!

Minnehaha Park
4801 South Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 230-6400
www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=252
Hours: 6am-12am (daily) in developed park areas, 6am-10pm (daily) in undeveloped park areas
Price: Free
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

One of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks, Minnehaha is home to a 193-acre park, a wading pool, plenty of playgrounds, and a 53-foot waterfall. If you visit in the wintertime, you just may be able to see Minnehaha Falls frozen solid. 

Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway
Headquarters: 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 230-6400
www.minneapolisparks.org/grandrounds
Hours: Open daily
Price: Free

This series of linked parks is a great way to explore the great outdoors in Minneapolis. There are over 50 miles of paths for bikers, walkers, and cars at Grand Rounds. The 50-mile stretch will take you through the Downtown Riverfront, Mississippi River, Minnehaha, the Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth Park, Victory Memorial, and Northeast Minneapolis. Try exploring one part of the Byway every day.

Target Field
1 Twins Way, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 375-1366
www.minnesota.twins.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=min
Hours: Call ahead for game times
Price: Ticket prices vary
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Even if you’re not traveling with baseball fans, everyone will appreciate America’s favorite pastime at Target Field! The stadium, which opened in 2010, was named the "Best Sports Stadium in North America" by ESPN The Magazine the same year.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 3rd Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
(888) 642-2787
www.artsmia.org  
Hours:
Monday, Sunday: Closed
Tuesday-Wednesday, Friday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Price: Free (exhibition prices may vary)
Age Range: Elementary, Tween, Teen

This collection of visual art pulls pieces from around the world spanning 5,000 years of history and artistic traditions. The museum is much less interactive than others in the area, so it may not be ideal for younger patrons who want to run around, but older kids will be amazed at the pieces in the MIA collection.

Guthrie Theater
818 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis, MN
(612) 377-2224
www.guthrietheater.org
Hours: 9am-5pm (daily), call ahead for show times
Price: Ticket prices vary
Age Range: Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

This state of the art theater is a great place to take in shows, which are certainly aplenty at this Minneapolis landmark. The original 1963 theater was demolished in 2006 to re-open along the Mississippi river. The stunning new modern design was named one of GQ’s 10 Most Important Buildings of the 21st century, and is certainly worth a visit, even if you don’t have time for a performance.

Minnesota Children’s Museum
10 7th Street West, Saint Paul, MN
(651) 225-6000
www.mcm.org
Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 9am-5pm, Friday-Saturday: 9am-8pm
Price: $9.50 per person
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler

One of the most unique parts of the Minnesota Children’s Museum, which is home to several interactive exhibits designed for children, is the Rooftop ArtPark. Nature and art merge in a giant outdoor gallery where your grandchildren can climb a 12-foot tall tree fort or dance under a shadow dome.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN
(651) 487-8201
www.comozooconservatory.org  
Hours:
April-September: 10am-6pm (daily)
October-March: 10am-4pm (daily)
Price: Children: $1 (suggested donation), Adults: $2 (suggested donation)
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Visitors young and old will love seeing the wide variety of animal friends at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. While enjoying the wildlife, make sure to participate in the zoo’s daily educational events and shows. You can learn about how personal choices impact marine life in shows like The Mystery of the Plastic Disaster or sample some homegrown veggies from the Chipotle Edible Garden.

Mall of America (pictured above)
South Avenue, Bloomington, MN
(952) 814-1900
www.mallofamerica.com  
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-9:30pm, Sunday: 10am-7pm
Price: Free
Age Range: Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

Located just outside of the Twin Cities in Bloomington, Minnesota is the Mall of America. No trip to Minneapolis is complete without stepping foot into the massive shopping center, which is big enough to fit seven Yankee Stadiums inside! Get all of your shopping done at one of the 500 stores in the mall, or visit the Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park.

Underwater Adventures Aquarium
120 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN
(952) 883-0202
www.visitsealife.com/minnesota  
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:30am-8pm
Friday: 9:30am-8:30pm
Saturday: 9am-8:30pm
Sunday: 9:30am-6:30pm
Price: Children (ages 3-12): $15.99, Adults (ages 13+): $19.99
Age Range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

The Underwater Adventures Aquarium inside of the Mall of America is home to more than 10,000 aquatic creates including sharks, stingrays and freshwater fish. Stand on the “people-mover” and be transported through a 300-foot glass tunnel of sea life, where you’ll always have a great view!

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