Traveling with young children can be a rewarding and fun experience. Minneapolis, Minnesota is a great city for families to explore, with plenty of activities both indoors and out that are appropriate for young children. Here are some of the best activities, restaurants, hotels, outdoor activities, and indoor activities that families should include in their trip.
Top 15 Child Friendly Activities
1. Minnesota Zoo: Located just south of the Twin Cities, the Minnesota Zoo has plenty of activities for young children, from petting zoos to nature trails to interactive exhibits. Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring the more than 500 species of animals that call this zoo home.
2. Minneapolis Institute of Art: This art museum is free to the public and offers a variety of activities for young children, including art classes, scavenger hunts, and interactive exhibits.
3. Como Zoo: Just north of the Twin Cities, Como Zoo is a great place for kids to explore, with plenty of interactive exhibits and an outdoor playground.
4. Minnesota Children’s Museum: This museum is dedicated to helping kids learn through play, with plenty of educational exhibits and activities.
5. Mill City Museum: This museum tells the story of the Minneapolis Mill District and is perfect for kids who are interested in history.
6. Minnesota History Center: This museum offers plenty of activities for kids, including interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and a replica of a fur trading fort.
7. Walker Art Center: This art museum offers a variety of activities for young children, including art classes and interactive displays.
8. Guthrie Theater: This theater offers interactive performances for young children that help to introduce them to theater and the performing arts.
9. Mall of America: This massive mall has plenty of activities for kids, including a theme park, aquarium, and movie theater.
10. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: This arboretum offers plenty of activities for kids, including interactive exhibits, nature trails, and an outdoor playground.
11. Nickelodeon Universe: This theme park is located in the Mall of America and offers plenty of rides and attractions for kids of all ages.
12. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge offers plenty of outdoor activities for kids, from nature hikes to bird watching.
13. Science Museum of Minnesota: This museum offers plenty of interactive exhibits and activities for kids, from interactive science experiments to a planetarium.
14. Minnehaha Park: This park offers plenty of outdoor activities for kids, from biking to kayaking to fishing.
15. Bell Museum of Natural History: This museum offers plenty of interactive exhibits and activities for kids, from interactive exhibits to a planetarium.
Top 5 Child Friendly Restaurants
1. Red Rabbit: This fast casual restaurant offers a variety of pizza and pasta dishes, as well as plenty of kid-friendly options such as mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and chicken tenders. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is fun and inviting for families.
2. Nonna Rosa’s Pizzeria: This sit-down restaurant offers a variety of Italian dishes, as well as kid-friendly options such as pizza and pasta. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is cozy and family-friendly.
3. Al’s Breakfast: This diner offers a variety of breakfast dishes, as well as kid-friendly options such as pancakes and French toast. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is classic diner style and perfect for families.
4. Tilia: This sit-down restaurant offers a variety of New American dishes, as well as kid-friendly options such as burgers and sandwiches. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is upscale yet family-friendly.
5. Tracy’s Saloon & Eatery: This fast casual restaurant offers a variety of burgers and sandwiches, as well as kid-friendly options such as mac and cheese and chicken tenders. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is fun and inviting for families.
Top 3 Hotels or Places to Stay
1. Luxury Option: The Loews Minneapolis Hotel: This hotel offers luxurious accommodations and amenities, as well as plenty of activities for young children. Reviewers love the location, which is close to many of the city’s attractions.
2. Family Friendly Option: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis: This hotel offers plenty of family-friendly amenities, as well as a Kids Eat Free program. Reviewers love the location, which is close to many of the city’s attractions.
3. Budget or Value Option: Super 8 by Wyndham Minneapolis: This hotel offers affordable accommodations and amenities, as well as a complimentary breakfast. Reviewers love the location, which is close to many of the city’s attractions.
Top Outdoor Activity
Minnehaha Park: This park offers plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family, from biking and kayaking to fishing and picnicking. There are also plenty of trails for kids to explore, including the Minnehaha Falls Trail, which is easily walkable and stroller or wheelchair friendly. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is peaceful and perfect for families.
Top Indoor Activity for Rainy Days
The Works Museum: This museum offers plenty of interactive exhibits and activities that are perfect for rainy days. Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring the various exhibits, from robotics and engineering to virtual reality and coding. Reviewers love the atmosphere, which is fun and inviting for families.
In addition to these activities, Minneapolis has plenty to offer families. The top neighborhoods for families to visit are Uptown, Downtown, and the North Loop. The best months to visit are May through September, when the weather is warm and sunny. The best way for families to get around the city is by car or public transportation.
Overall, Minneapolis offers plenty of activities and attractions for families to enjoy. With plenty of child-friendly activities, restaurants, hotels, outdoor activities, and indoor activities, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
