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UNIVERSITY. Dedicated to Minnesota's past, especially in regard to landscape and wildlife, this museum features dioramas that simulate actual forests, fields, streams, and swamps. The Touch and See Room provides real animal fur and bones that children love to handle, and rainforest exhibits and botanical artwork also please visitors. In addition, the museum store is rich in hard-to-find books and resources on natural history, including a great selection of children's books.
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ROGERS. You can't miss the Model-T sign that points the way to this car museum, located just off Interstate 94. The museum contains over 100 vintage vehicles, ranging from classic cars to motorcycles. The museum also has a gift shop, along with Clarabelle's Ice Cream Parlor, a '50s-style hangout that serves awesome shakes and malts when the museum hosts car shows during the season.
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Early in the 20th century, Eloise Butler appealed to the Minneapolis Parks Board to create a protected space to preserve the region's native plant life. The original 3-acre sanctuary has now grown to over 15 acres. The sanctuary offers wooded walkways and gardens representative of Minnesota's major habitats. A display of discreetly labeled wildflowers like columbine, trillium, lavender, white violets, ferns, and myrtle line the walkway of a "secret garden."
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Mall of America
8100 24th Ave S, I-494 & Hwy 77, Bloomington, MN 55425 · 952-883-8800
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BLOOMINGTON. Located midway between St. Paul and Minneapolis, this mega mall is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the country, with more than 500 stores and 50+ eating establishments. Nightclubs and a 14-screen cinema provide entertainment, along with an assortment of other attractions that appeal to kids and adults. Among them are a four-story Lego store with play centers; Nickelodeon Universe® with over seven acres of fun rides and attractions; an impressive subterranean aquarium housing more than 4500 marine animals; a NASCAR virtual racing center; and an incredible flight simulator.
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WEST MINNEAPOLIS. Minnehaha Creek drops almost 50 feet to form beautiful Minnehaha Falls, an impressive sight year-round. Minnehaha Park, with its 193 acres, is a favorite spot for family get-togethers and company picnics. Plenty of tables and shelters, a tennis court, a recreation building, and horseshoe pits are available. Sculptures also dot the terrain, and formal gardens and hiking trails are musts for nature enthusiasts.
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BLOOMINGTON. This federally managed nature preserve offers sanctuary for a range of migrating birds and waterfowl. The refuge features an excellent interpretive center offering programs and exhibits dedicated to the natural history of the Minnesota River area. As part of the Minnesota Valley Recreation Area, which is itself part of the Minnesota State Parks system, the refuge features cross-country skiing, hiking, and biking on trails that feature bird-watching sites and picnic grounds.
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DOWNTOWN. Twin Cities Skyways let pedestrians travel through enclosed walkways high above the streets in order to access a variety of buildings. Skyways have played an important role in maintaining the vitality of the downtown area through the years, and office buildings, hotels, and shops are all accessible through them. Aside from these destinations, small delis, bakeries, shops, and restaurants line the aboveground walkways.
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Target Center
600 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · 612-673-1600
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DOWNTOWN. Home to the men's Minnesota Timberwolves and women's Minnesota Lynx basketball teams, Target Center also hosts rock concerts, hockey competitions, ice shows, gymnastics meets, and circuses. Located in the heart of downtown, Target Center is linked via the Skywalk system to many hotels, restaurants, and parking facilities. Guided tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at the facility; group tours must be scheduled in advance. NB For less than 10 people, tours available on Thursday at 2pm at no charge; for 10 or more, there is a charge and reservations must be made.
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SHAKOPEE. A roller coaster named "Wild Thing" and an extreme-scream thrill ride called "Power Tower" are two of the 75 rides that provide an exuberant contrast to the park's plentiful flower gardens and Victorian ambience. Other attractions include an IMAX theater, a water park, and a daily parade. Live entertainment on five stages presents an alternative for people who prefer to keep their feet on the ground. There are good options for smaller children too.
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Warehouse District
from 3rd Ave N to Hennepin Ave and from 1st St N to 7th St N, Minneapolis, MN 55401 · 612-334-3131
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WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. This area, once populated with empty industrial buildings and storefronts, has been rejuvenated in recent years and now offers some of the city's best dining, shopping, and entertainment. Sports fans can catch the Timberwolves at the Target Center or see the Vikings and the Twins at the nearby Metrodome. Over forty restaurants and bars, serving a wealth of cuisines and libations, dot the district, as do clubs, art galleries, intimate live music venues, and small theaters. Plenty of architectural personality adds to the pleasure of spending time in this northwest Minneapolis neighborhood.
When school winds down, whether it's for summer, winter, or spring break, we yearn for an escape from the daily grind. We need to relax, yet we also want to create lasting family memories – let's face it, our lives are busier than ever and when we finally take time to get away, we want to make the most of it. Finding the perfect family vacation is a challenge. But our suggestions have appeal for both children and their parents, from amusement parks and historic sites to fine dining restaurants and upscale shopping neighborhoods. Cities do attract their fair share of the tourist trade, but you can still find less crowded spots and create family- and budget-friendly vacations.
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