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Bring your tots to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul for twice as much fun.

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.

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.

Mall of America
60 East Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
952/883-8800
Opened in 1992 as the first destination mall combining shopping and entertainment, the Mall of America is not to be missed. After or before you shop at over 520 stores and eat at over 80 restaurants, the fun is about to begin.

You can’t miss Nickelodeon Universe, which, at seven-acres, is the largest indoor family theme park in the country. Other attractions for kids include Underwater Adventures, a giant walk-through aquarium, the Dinosaur Walk Museum where you can meet over 60 life-sized dinos and dig a fossil, and the fabulous Lego Imagination Center where your kids can create and select their own combination of Legos to buy and bring home. Older kids and teens will enjoy the NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway and the A.C.E.S. Flight Simulation, while the whole family will find something to see at the large AMC Movie Theatres. In keeping with the theme, the largest indoor water park in the country is located across from the Mall at the Grand Lodge hotel. While hotel guests have guaranteed access, others can purchase day passes. Visit Waterpark of America (952/698-8888) for details.

Minneapolis Children’s Museum
10 West Seventh Street at Wabash
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651/225-6000
A museum whose slogan is “Playing is Learning,” is the perfect place to bring your babies, toddlers and young school-age children. Seven areas including the "Habitot" Gallery and Family Resource Room, The Waterworks Gallery and Earthworld will keep the whole family engaged in interactive fun.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
725 Vineland Place
Minneapolis, MN 55124
612/375-7600
While the Walker Art Center (see below) 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.

Minnesota Zoo
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
800/366-7811, 952/431-9200
Home to over 2,400 animals of 388 species, this is a great place to meet and observe animal friends. Your family can enjoy paddle boat rides and a monorail will give you a bird’s eye view of the grounds. Highlights include the Bottlenose Dolphin show, the Butterfly Garden, an IMAX theatre and a program of summer evening outdoor concerts.

Rice Park
Landmark Plaza
109 West 4th Street
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651/266-6400
Even more child-friendly sculptures are on view in Rice Park, not far from the Children’s Museum and Science Center. Here you will find a tribute to Charles Schulz, the creator of the “Peanuts” and a native of the city where your kids will delight at the bronze statues of the "Gang" and you will want to have plenty of film or flash cards handy to document this stop.

Science Museum of Minnesota
120 West Kellogg Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN 55102
800/221-9444, 651/221-9444
Here, hands-on activities welcome young scientists and their moms and dads to have fun and learn about biology, paleontology, anthropology, meteorology and conservation by experimentation and investigation.