Moving to Minnesota? Family Activities to Do in the Twin Cities This Fall
The Twin Cities area is filled with vibrant people and a friendly atmosphere that’s hard to ignore. It’s a great place for families, especially those raising children, as Minneapolis is famed for its school systems and is ranked as the 15th most educated city in America.
But it’s not just all about what it’s like to live in the Twin Cities, you must have something to do. Sure, you could hit the most common spots such as the Mall of America, but if you want to live in the Twin Cities, you’ll want to discover more.
Here are some of the best and most exciting family activities you can do as a to-be resident of Minnesota.
Animal Lovers
Minneapolis is filled with activities for the whole family, and topping the list is the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Located in the aptly-named Como Park neighborhood, the zoo has a plethora of animals and exhibits on display that will excite and engage the whole family. The exhibits include a giraffe feeding station, where the giraffes walk right up and take leaves from your hand. If you’re not keen on feeding them, there’s a nearby observation deck conveniently placed for a good photo op. Also, in the park is the Ribbit Zibit, a frog-themed conservation exhibit focused on both entertaining and educating. Kids and adults can both be excited about seeing the brightly-colored, if damp, amphibians and learn how their wellbeing is important to the environment.
Right next door to the zoo is Como Town, a family-oriented amusement park with rides aimed at both kids and adults. You can easily do both on a day trip in the city.
Adventure Seekers
If your family’s a little more adventurous or just high-energy, you can always try Minneapolis’s Zero Gravity Trampoline Park. It’s filled with trampoline courts to bounce to your content. You can also find some more specialized trampoline bouncing, such as dodgeball or a slam dunk court. Nothing is more exciting than soaring through the air off a trampoline. That’s not all that’s there, either. Zero Gravity also has laser tag, rock climbing, a ninja obstacle course, and an arcade, making it a great place to spend the day and even have repeat visits to. Of course, for families with smaller children, there’s even a toddler-oriented attraction in the TotSpot. Here they’re safe to enjoy the trampolines without fear of the larger kids.
Theatre Junkies
Instead of all the excitement and exercise, maybe you’re looking for a show. All throughout the late summer and fall, the Twin Cities Film Festival does showings of unique indie films until the full festival gets in swing in mid-October. This one isn’t exactly the right space for all families, but those with teenagers might be interested in seeing the premieres of the year’s newest and best indie films. You can reserve tickets at their varying venues online, and everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy the art of filmmaking from Minnesota-centric productions.
History Buffs
Interested in American history? Then take the whole family on down to Minneapolis and St Paul’s own slice of old America, Historic Fort Snelling along the Mississippi River. The whole historic site has exhibits and attractions dating back through the history of the United States and into pre-US times. Tours are also given, taking you through some of the more interesting and notable bits of history in about 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to check out the rest of the Fort.
The fort is also filled with dozens of demonstrations of mid-1800s lifestyles, done both in and out of costume by staffed professionals to show you what Fort Snelling was like back in its heyday. These include blacksmithing, hearth cooking, woodworking, military tactics with muskets and cannons, and the roles of women in manning the fort. The whole historic fort is brimming with things to do and see, making it a great place for repeat visits or a couple stops on a free weekend.
Shop-a-holics
Probably the best spot in both cities for shopping and dining, Grand Avenue is a location you’ll be glad is close by. Filled with shops for specialty clothes and general browsing, it’s also home to fun places like the Mischief Toy Store, a weird and wacky place that will enthrall the kids. Also present is the Red Balloon Bookshop, an award-winning bookstore that specializes in young adult and children’s literature, making it a perfect place for you to pick up something a little more cultured for the kids. You can make an afternoon visit over to Grand Avenue and stay for dinner, because it’s also a great place for locally-owned restaurants, making it a hidden gem of St Paul.
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Article Written by Haley Kieser
