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city guides
Minneapolis/St. Paul
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Happening Now
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October 11 and 12, 10am to 6pm:
Apple Fest
It seems as though the apple and the pumpkin are vying to be the symbol of autumn. How about we just enjoy them both and call it a draw. For this one, the apple is celebrated with children’s games, hayrides, live entertainment, animals, and, of course, apple treats — especially enjoyable for you and your grandchildren. At the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings, Minn. (website) Hide details
Minnesota Vikings
The only October home game for this NFL franchise in Minneapolis is October 12, when the Vikings play host to the New Orleans Saints. Minnesota running-back Adrian Peterson is one of the most exciting players in the league, a star your grandchildren will enjoy watching. At the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. (website) Hide details
Steve Songs
Mister Steve of PBS Kids performs a family show based on his award-winning lyrics and catchy melodies. Mister Steve is able to weave thoughtful messages into his fun, participatory songs, and he has earned numerous parenting and children’s awards. A treat for your grandchildren. At the Cedar Cultural Center. (website) Hide details
Peter, Paul and Mary
Take your grandchildren, especially the older ones, for a trip down memory lane and let them experience some of the great music of your youth. Songs like "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "If I had a Hammer" are timeless. At Orchestra Hall. (website) Hide details
Little House on the Prairie.
Take your grandchildren to enjoy one of your old favorites, now a musical: an adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books about growing up in South Dakota. Recommended for ages 12 and older. At the Guthrie Theater. (website) Hide details
Great Scarecrow Festival
Its the 25th anniversary of the festival, held at an orchard-restaurant and featuring more than 100 unusual and hand-crafted scarecrows on display. That’s in addition to the thousands of pumpkins, the petting zoo, the farmers’ market, the bakery, the ice cream shop, and other activities for you and your grandchildren. At Emma Krumbee’s Orchard & Restaurant, Belle Plaine, Minn. (website) Hide details |
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Help With This Page
In the City Guides section, you'll find the best things to do with your grandchildren. To get started, choose a city below or select from among movies, home activities or things to do in the car. Whatever you do, have loads of fun with your grandchildren.
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| | Great parks, 24 lakes, and a thriving downtown area, Minneapolis/St. Paul is just an all-around nice place to be. It's also host to tons of activities, from arts and cultural happenings to outdoorsy fun. Compiled by Joslyn Layne | |
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Maybe your grandchild is a budding NPR fan, or you're hoping to turn him or her on to the wholesome wonders of a radio variety show, or maybe you just get a good laugh out of Garrison Keillor and want to develop your grandchildren's tastes. You can go see a live taping of Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul and be part of radio-making history. You'll need to plan way in advance as tickets generally sell out far ahead of time.
Info: Admission: $48 and younger, varies by seating
Hours: September-May, Saturday at 4:45pm
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Live Performances
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Putter along together at Adventure Gardens Mini Golf, where you can hit 18 holes on this nicely landscaped course in Richfield, for ages 6 and older. For other mini-golf around town, there's Lava Links in Roseville (651-628-9956, www.lavalinks.net) an indoor course that's half-tropical, half lava themed, and blacklit. Lava Links also has an arcade and a laser tag room, so bring the friends. Each summer, the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul also opens up its family-friendly Big Backyard, complete with mini-golf course. So deck yourselves out in plaid (or not) and hit the links with your little tiger.
(Weekdays before 5pm) ages 18-54 $4, 6-17 and 55 and older $3, all additional rounds $2>Info: Admission: (Weekends and after 5pm) ages 18-54 $7, 6-17 and 55 and older $5
(Weekdays before 5pm) ages 18-54 $4, 6-17 and 55 and older $3, all additional rounds $2
Hours: (Memorial Day-Labor Day) Friday-Sunday, hours vary by season
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Outdoor Fun
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We may live in cities, but live farm experiences are close at hand. Introduce kids to chicks, pigs, cows, goats, and even deer, donkeys, and llamas by visiting one of the area's petting farms. See and touch farm friends that are feathered or furry, and learn about life on the farm. Springtime tours feature more baby animals.
Info: Admission: adults $7, ages 2-16 $6, 2 and younger free; Pony rides $3 per child; Animal food $1 per bag; Group admission available
Hours: (May-September) Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm (October) weekends only, weather permitting; Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Animals & Nature
Animal Farms Hugo Animal Farm
9441 180th Street, North
Hugo, MN 55038
(651) 433-4455
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Info: Admission: $7 per person; $6 per person for groups of 25 people or more; Special events and evening tours available
Hours: Tours: (spring and autumn only) Monday-Friday 8am-3pm, Saturday 10am-12pm; Spring Tours: late April-June; Autumn Tours: all of October; reservations required for all tours
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Animals & Nature
Animal Farms Minnesota Zoo Family Farm
13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
(952) 431-9500
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Info: Zoo Admission: adults $14, ages 65 and older $9, 3-12 $8, 3 and younger free; Zoo Parking: cars $5, buses $10, motor coaches $15, zoo members during zoo hours can park free
Hours: (April-October) hours vary seasonally
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Animals & Nature
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Art-A-Whirl
2205 California Street NE
# 118
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 788-1679
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Smaller in scope than the massive St. Paul Art Crawl, the Nordeast's Art-A-Whirl is an annual event in which this arts district opens its doors for a tour. You can show curious older grandchildren the inner workings of artists' studios and art galleries centered along 13th Avenue (neighborhood of the delicious Modern Cafe and many art galleries). See art in all mediums being made in this artist's quarter of Minneapolis, as well as a few live performances. Much of this event is for older grandchildren who can resist fragile pieces within reach!
Hours: Third weekend of May, days vary yearly, hours vary by venue
Age: Pre-teen, Teen
Local Unique
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Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55416-4623
(612) 926-3878
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This gorgeous mansion off Lake Calhoun hosts an extensive library and exhibit on all things electricity, including some cool hands-on electrics. Watch video footage of virtuosos as you try to play the theremin or put your hand on a ball and get charged with static, making all your hairs stand on end. Each Saturday is Family Science Day, with presentations and hands-on workshops, and they also host Girls Only science day camps, and other events. If you notice a common "heart" theme in their special events, it's no coincidence because the founder, Earl Bakken invented the first pacemaker. The grounds are beautiful, the library for scholars only, and the museum is modest but fun, interactive and educational. Afterwards you can hop across the street for a run around Lake Calhoun to put all that new heart knowledge to work.
Info: Admission: $7, ages 62 and older and students $5, 3 and younger free
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Thursday 10am-8pm
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Museums & Exhibits
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Any crafty grandchildren with a penchant for jewelry will gladly spend hours inside this shop and learning studio. Bead Monkey sells and teaches you to put together every kind of beadwork imaginable. From handmade glass and natural seeds to charms and pearls, you and your grandchildren can create a dream piece of jewelry, something sure to last like a proper keepsake. If you're ready, but not sure where to start, enroll yourselves in one of the available beginner's classes, the helpful staff will hook you up with kits and plenty of design ideas.
Info: Admission: varies
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Classes & Workshops
Bead Monkey
3717 West 50th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(952) 929-4032
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Info: Admission: varies
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Classes & Workshops
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Big Brain Comics
1027 Washington Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 338-4390
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If your grandchild is into comics, Big Brain is a comic fan's paradise. This independent store run by young folks in the know is filled to the brim with everything from underground comics to anime, and hardcover collections from all eras. The shop is high ceilinged, clean, and sunny with a relatively small but choice selection. Sample the comic culture and encourage your grandteen's hobby. And if you're ready to go before they're done delving into the stacks, you can always check out The Open Book coffee shop and gallery next door. It's for the older grandchildren only, as there's no room for running around and includes uncensored material.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 12pm-8pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Age: Pre-teen, Teen
Shopping
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