Minnesota is home to amazing family attractions, museums, zoos, parks and so much more.

I grew up in Duluth and then moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area to start a family, but no matter where you go in the state, there is so much to discover and explore with kids of all ages.

Cities throughout the state have so much to draw families, from the SPAM Museum in Austin, to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, to Valleyfair in Shakopee!

In my 12 years of blogging, I’ve done so much with my family, and have written about TONS of places which you can check out on my page called “Reviews A to Z.” But I decided to compile them all here by category for easy searching!

This is a long list, but more can certainly be added. In fact, I hope to keep adding more and more! What would you add to this list?

A note about links

I realize that adding links would have made this a more useful resource, but I did NOT include links for each item on this list for two reasons:

• Google does not like blog posts with over 100 links
• Links change so much that inevitably there would be a broken link no matter how often I update the list, so to avoid that issue I leave it up to you to find the websites yourself. But I did include links to my reviews and discounts and I will continue to add them as I can!

In the time of COVID

Also note that due to COVID, many of these listings may be either temporarily closed or operating at reduced hours/capacity. I added COVID info as I could, but please check in advance.

Make this your bucket list for family fun in Minnesota!

Thank you for visiting and be sure to check back for new additions!

Amusement Parks/Arcade

• Big Thrill Factory (Oakdale) – temporarily closed
• Can Can Wonderland (St. Paul)
• Como Town (St. Paul)
• Grand Slam Family Fun Center (Coon Rapids)
  
  
  
  
• Nickelodeon Universe (Bloomington)
• Paul Bunyan Land (Brainerd)
• Valley Fair (Shakopee) – opening May 22nd
• Zap Arcade (Jordan)

Animals/Zoos

• Carlson’s Lovable Llamas (Waconia)
• Como Zoo (St. Paul)
• Fawn Doe Rosa (St. Croix Falls)
• Gale Woods Farm (Minnetrista)
• Govin’s Farm (Menomonie)
• Hemker Zoo (Freeport)
• Lake Superior Zoo (Duluth)
• Minnesota Zoo (Apple Valley)
• National Eagle Center (Wabasha)
  
  
  
  
• Oliver Kelley Farm (Elk River) Read my review!
• Pine Grove Zoo (Little Falls)
• The Raptor Center (St. Paul) 
• The Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo (Owatonna)
• Safari North Wildlife Park (Brainerd)

Art

• Artistic Me (Buffalo)
• ARTrageous Adventures (Minneapolis)
• Color Me Mine (Eagan/Maple Grove/Woodbury)
  
  
  
  
• Crayola Experience (Bloomington) – Check out my discount for the LOWEST priced tickets:
  
  

  EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNT Crayola Experience Mall of America tickets through my special link! Tickets are $17.50 (regularly $22.99 – $24.99) THIS IS THE LOWEST PRICE OUT THERE! 

  • Just click on my personalized online store web link (URL) and enter the access code TCFM.  (Or visit https://tickets.crayolaexperience.com and enter my personalized store name: Twin Cities Frugal Mom)
  • You’ll be able to purchase and print the tickets right away, saving you time waiting at the entrance turnstiles and bypassing ticket booth lines! And they’re valid for up to a year.
  
  
  
• Kari’s Create and Paint Studio (Stillwater) – currently open at 25% capacity
• Kidcreate Studio (Eden Prairie/Savage/Woodbury) 

Aquariums

 

• Great Lakes Aquarium (Duluth) – Read my review!
  
  
  
  
• SeaQuest (Roseville) – read my review and check here for current deals!
  
  
  
  
• Sea Life (Mall of America) – read my review and check here for current deals!

Bakeries/Coffee Shops

• A Baker’s Wife (Minneapolis)
• Bogarts Doughnut Co. (Minneapolis)
  
  
  
  
• Duck Donuts (Woodbury)
• Emily’s Bakery (Hastings)
• Glam Doll Donuts (Minneapolis-2 locations)
• Hanisch Bakery (Red Wing)
• Hans Bakery (Anoka/Blaine)
• Hi-Quality Bakery (Cannon Falls)
• Mel-o-Glaze Bakery (Minneapolis)
• Mojo Monkey Donuts (St. Paul)
• Puffy Cream Donuts (Eagan)
• Sovereign Grounds (Minneapolis)
• Valley Pastries (Golden Valley)
• YoYo Donuts (Minnetonka)

Beaches

• Antlers Beach (Lakeville)
• Baker Park Reserve (Maple Plain)
• Baylor Regional Park (Norwood Young America)
• Bde Maka Ska 32^nd Beach (Minneapolis)
• Bde Maka Ska North Beach (Minneapolis)
• Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach (Minneapolis)
• Bellaire Beach (White Bear Lake)
• Big Marine Park Reserve (Marine on St. Croix)
• Bryant Lake Regional Park (Eden Prairie)
• Bush Lake Beach (Bloomington)
• Carver Lake (Woodbury)
• Cedar Lake East Beach (Minneapolis)
• Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park (New Prague)
• Cedar Lake Point Beach (Minneapolis)
• Centerville Beach (Lino Lakes)
• Cleary Lake Regional Park (Prior Lake)
• Coon Lake Beach (Ham Lake)
• Elm Creek Swimming Pond (Maple Grove)
• Fish Lake Regional Park (Maple Grove)
• French Regional Park Beach (Plymouth)
• Lake Byllesby Beach (Cannon Falls)
• Lake Elmo Park Reserve
• Lake George Beach (Oak Grove)
• Lake Harriet North Beach (Minneapolis)
• Lake Harriet South Beach (Minneapolis)
• Lake Josephine County Park (Roseville)
• Lake McCarrons County Park (Roseville)
• Lake Minnetonka Regional Park Beach (Minnetrista)
• Lake Minnewashta (Chanhassen)
• Lake Nakomis Beach (Minneapolis)
• Lake Rebecca Park Reserve (Rockford)
• Lake Saint Croix Beach
• Lake Waconia Regional Park
• Lakeside Commons Park (Blaine)
• Long Lake Regional Park (New Brighton)
• Memorial Beach Park (White Bear Lake)
• Orchard Lake (Lakeville)
• Phalen Park Beach (St. Paul)
• Point Douglas Beach (Hastings)
• Prescott Beach (Prescott, WI)
• Round Lake Beach (Eden Prairie)
• Schulze Lake Beach (Eagan)
• Shady Oak Beach (Minnetonka)
• Silver Lake Beach (North Saint Paul)
• Snail Lake Regional Park (Shoreview)
• Snelling Lake Beach (St. Paul)
• Square Lake Beach (Stillwater)
• The Commons (Excelsior)
• Tony Schmidt Regional Park (Lake Johanna) (Arden Hills)
• West Medicine Beach (Plymouth)
• White Bear Lake County Park
• Wirth Lake Beach (Minneapolis)

Bounce Houses

• Bouncing-Ton Indoor Playground (Bloomington)  OPEN
• Pump it Up (Eden Prairie)

Bowling

Sign up for FREE local kids bowling at KidsBowlFree.com!

And check for local bowling deals here!

• AMF Southtown Lanes (Bloomington)
• Apple Place Bowl (Apple Valley)
• Blainbrook Entertainment Center (Blaine)
• Bogart’s Entertainment Center (Apple Valley)
• Bryant Lake Bowl (Minneapolis)
• Cedarvale Lanes (Eagan)
• Concord Lanes (South Saint Paul)
• Drkula’s (Inver Grove Heights)
• Elsie’s (Minneapolis)
• Flaherty’s Arden Bowl (Arden Hills)
• Ham Lake Lanes (Ham Lake)
• Huikko’s Bowling (Buffalo)
• Mermaid Bowling (Mounds View)
• Park Grove Bowl (St. Paul Park)
• Park Tavern (St. Louis Park)
• Pinstripes (Edina)
• Pinz (Oakdale)
• Sun Ray Lanes (St. Paul)

Build

• Home Depot Kids Workshops on the 1^st Saturdays (available for pickup to do at home during COVID)
  
  
  
  
• Snapology (Minneapolis) – Read about my son’s birthday party there!
  
  
  
  
• The Works Museum (Bloomington) – Check out my discount!
  
  EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for The Works Museum in Bloomington with my special code! 
  
  
  • Regular admission is $11.00 per person, but you can get admission for $9.00 per person with my special code! (Children 2 and under are free.) For $2 Off Admission: Use code TCFMB$2OFF in the “promo code” field on the shopping cart page. (Not valid for special events) Purchase via THIS LINK.
  • Discounts are offered for special events if you buy tickets in advance. Follow their website and social media pages for updates.
  • 50% off admission for limited income families through their Gateway program
• Young Builders and Designers (activities throughout the Twin Cities metro area) – see their Facebook page for current and upcoming events

Candy/Soda

• Blue Sun Soda Shop (Spring Lake Park)
• Candyland (St. Paul/Minneapolis/Stillwater)
• Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store (Jordan)
• SweetLife Lane (White Bear Lake)

Caves

• Crystal Cave (Spring Valley, WI)
• Mystery Cave (Preston)
• Soudan Underground Mine Tours (Soudan/Ely)

Climbing

• Minneapolis Bouldering Project
• Vertical Endeavors (Bloomington/Minneapolis/St. Paul/Duluth)

Corn Mazes/Apple Orchards

• Afton Apple (Hastings)
• Emma Krumbee’s Apple Orchard (Belle Plaine)
• MN Harvest Apple Orchard (Jordan)
• Pine Tree Apple Orchard (White Bear Lake)
• Pleasant Valley Orchard (Shafer)
• Severs Corn Maze and Fall Festival (Shakopee)
• Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Corn Maze (Brooklyn Park)

Cooking (for Kids)

• Hyvee Lil Chefs (Cottage Grove/Eagan/Oakdale/Lakeville)
• THAT Cooking School (Inver Grove Heights)

Escape Rooms

• The Escape Game (Bloomington)

Note: Many escape rooms have been closed due to COVID. Check here for current deals on Escape Rooms that are open or virtual.

Extreme and Unique Adventures

• Amazing Mirror Maze (Mall of America) – Check here for current deals!
  
  
• Extreme Sandbox (Hastings) – Read about my experience driving a bulldozer! And save $100!
• iFly Indoor Skydiving (Minnetonka) – Check here for current deals!

Ice Cream

• Cup and Cone (White Bear Lake)
• Grand Ole Creamery (St. Paul/Minneapolis)
• Milkjam Creamery (Minneapolis)
• MN Nice Ice Cream (Minneapolis/Stillwater)
• Nelson’s Ice Cream (Stillwater/St. Paul)
• Schoolhouse Scoop (Hastings)
• Sebastian Joe’s (Minneapolis-2 locations)
• Selma’s (Afton) 

Indoor Playgrounds

• Backyard Indoor Playground (Golden Valley) – closed until further notice
• Eagles Nest (New Brighton) 
• Edinborough Park (Edina) 
• Giggle Factory (Hudson) 
  
  
  
  
• Good Times Park (Eagan) – Read my review here.
• InnerActive (Minnetonka/Mounds View) 
• Lookout Ridge (Woodbury)  
• Millzhouse (Apple Valley) 
• MiniSota Play Cafe (Maple Grove) 
• Playground Plaza (Maple Grove)
• Prairie Playzone (Eden Prairie) 
• Rainbow Play Systems (Bloomington) 
• The Blast (Eagan) 
• Tropical Adventure (Shoreview) 
• Williston Treehouse (Minnetonka) 

Library/Book Stores 

(Libraries and some book stores are only open for curbside pickup during COVID)

There are more libraries throughout the metro area but the libraries on this list have exceptional offerings for kids:

• Brooklyn Park Library
• Minneapolis Central Library
• Red Balloon Bookshop (St. Paul)
• Rockford Road Library (Crystal)
• Roseville Library
• Rum River Library (Anoka)
• Wild Rumpus (Minneapolis)

Malls

• Burnsville Center (Burnsville)
• Eden Prairie Center (Eden Prairie)
• Mall of America (Bloomington)
• Maplewood Mall (Maplewood)
• Northtown Mall (Coon Rapids)
• Roseville Center (Roseville)

Mini Golf

• Malt Tee’s Mini Golf (Richfield)
• Lilli Putt (Coon Rapids) 
• Can Can Wonderland (St. Paul)

Movies/Theaters

• AMC Theatres (multiple locations)
• Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis) – currently online
• Marcus Theatres (multiple locations)
• New Hope Cinema Grill
• Riverview Theater (Minneapolis) – currently only open for popcorn-to-go
• Stages Theatre Company (Hopkins)
• Vali-Hi Drive-In (Lake Elmo) 

Museums/History

• Alexander Ramsey House (St. Paul) – temporarily closed
• American Swedish Institute (Minneapolis)
• Bakken Museum  (Minneapolis)
• Bell Museum (Falcon Heights) 
• Duluth Children’s Museum
• Glensheen Mansion (Duluth)
• Firefighters Hall and Museum (Minneapolis) – temporarily closed
• Folsom House (Taylors Falls) – temporarily closed
• Fort Snelling (St. Paul)
• Hormel Historic Home (Austin)
• International Wolf Center (Ely)
• Mill City Museum (Minneapolis) – temporarily closed
  
  
  
  
• Minnesota Children’s Museum (St. Paul)
  
  

  And EVERY DAY you can get DISCOUNTED tickets for the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul with my special code TCFM! Save $3 per admission!

  • Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 per admission on tickets online. You can also use that code to save $20 on a membership.
  • There’s so much to do at the Minnesota Children’s Museum! Check out my review here: https://www.twincitiesfrugalmom.com/2017/06/our-first-visit-new-minnesota-childrens-museum/
    
    
• MN History Center (St. Paul) 
• National Eagle Center (Wabasha)
• North American Bear Center (Ely)
• Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul)
• Sibley History Sites (Mendota)
• Soudan Underground Mine (Ely)
  
  
  
  
• SPAM Museum (Austin) – Read about our visit here!

Nature Centers

• Carpenter Nature Center (Hastings)
• Dodge Nature Center (West St. Paul)
• Eastman Nature Center (Maple Grove)
• Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden (Minneapolis)
• Harriet Alexander Nature Center (Roseville)
  
  
  
  
• Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (Austin) – read about our visit!
• Lee and Rose Warner Nature Center (Marine on St. Croix)
• Maplewood Nature Center (Maplewood)
• Minnehaha Falls (Minneapolis)
• Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Chaska)
• Richardson Nature Center (Bloomington)
• Springbrook Nature Center (Fridley)
• Tamarack Nature Center (White Bear Lake)
• Theodore Wirth Quaking Bog (Golden Valley)
• Westwood Hills Nature Center (St. Louis Park)

Open Gymnastics

• Elite Gymnastics Academy Open Gym (Burnsville)
• Gleason’s Open Gym (Eagan/Brooklyn Park)
• Perpetual Motion (Blaine/Woodbury)

Parks

• Abdella Memorial Park (St. Paul Park)
• Brookview Playground (Golden Valley)
• Central Park (Maple Grove)
• Dingle Park (St. Paul Park)
• Elm Creek Park (Maple Grove)
• French Regional Park (Plymouth)
• Grandview Park (Castle Park) (Hudson)
• Hamlet Park (Cottage Grove)
• Heritage Park (St. Paul Park)
• Hyland Play Area aka Chutes and Ladders (Bloomington)
• Jerry Ruppelius Park (Champlin)
• Kelly Park (Apple Valley)
• Lagoon Park (Jordan)
• Lake Camelot Park (Plymouth)
• Lake Minnetonka Regional Park Playground (Minnetrista)
• Lake Rebecca Park Reserve (Rockford)
• Lone Lake Park (Minnetonka)
• Madison’s Playground (Woodbury)
• North Loop Playground (Minneapolis)
• Oak Hill Park (St. Louis Park)
• Pioneer Park (Stillwater)
• Plymouth Creek Park
• Ravine Park (Cottage Grove)
• Schaper Park (Golden Valley)
  
  
  
  
• Teddy Bear Park (Stillwater) – read my review
• West Medicine Lake Park (Plymouth)
• William Berry Park (Minneapolis)
• Woodridge Park (Cottage Grove)

Pizza Farms

• Borner Farm Project (Prescott)
• Red Barn (Northfield)

Pools and Waterparks

• Anoka County Aquatic Center (Outdoor) (Anoka)  
• Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center (Outdoor)
• Battle Creek Waterworks (Maplewood)
• Bloomington Family Aquatic Park (Outdoor)
• Bunker Beach (Coon Rapids)
• Cascade Bay (Outdoor) (Eagan)
• Como Regional Park Pool (St. Paul) (Outdoor)
• Crystal Cove Aquatic Center (Outdoor) (Crystal)
• Edina Aquatic Center (Outdoor)
• Great River Waterpark (St. Paul)
• Grove Cove Aquatic Center (Indoor) (Maple Grove)
• Highland Park Aquatic Center (Outdoor) (St. Paul)
• Jim Lupient Water Park (Outdoor) (Minneapolis)
• Lorraine Park Pool (South Saint Paul)
• Richfield Outdoor Pool
• SandVenture Aquatic Park (Shakopee) (Outdoor)
• St. Louis Park Aquatic Park (Outdoor)
• The Grove Aquatic Center (Indoor)(Inver Grove Heights)
• Tropics Indoor Waterpark (Shoreview)
• Venetian Waterpark (Maple Grove)
• Wild Mountain Waterpark (Outdoor) (Taylors Falls)
• Williston Pool and Splash Pad (Indoor) (Minnetonka)

Park and Wading Pools

• Bryant Square Park (Minneapolis)
• Lake Hiawatha (Minneapolis)
• Linden Hills Park (Minneapolis)
• Wabun Park (Minneapolis)
• Waite Park (Minneapolis)

Sculpture Parks

• Caponi Art Park (Eagan)
  
  
• Franconia Sculpture Park (Shafer) Read my review here!
• Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Skating

• Roller Garden (St. Louis Park)
• Skatin’ Place (St. Cloud)
• Wooddale Fun Zone (Woodbury)

Skiing and Tubing

If you have a 4th grader, be sure to sign them up for the FREE Minnesota Ski Areas Passport Program!

• Afton Alps (Hastings)
• Buck Hill (Burnsville)
• Buena Vista Ski Area (Bemidji)
• Coffee Mill Ski Area (Wabasha)
• Elm Creek Recreation Area (Maple Grove)
• Giants Ridge (Biwabik)
• Hyland Hills Ski Area (Bloomington)
• Lutsen Mountains (Lutsen)
• Mount Kato Ski Area (Mankato)
• Mount Ski Gull (Nisswa)
• Powder Ridge Winter Recreation Area (Kimball)
  
  
  
  
• Spirit Mountain (Duluth) – read about our visit!
• Welch Village Ski and Snowboard Area (Welch)
• Wild Mountain (Taylors Falls)

Splash Pads

• Andrew’s Park Splash Pad (Champlin)
• Cedarcrest Park Splash Pad (Bloomington)
• Central Park (Maple Grove)
• Central Park Splash Pad (Eagan)
• Cliff Fen (Burnsville)
• Conway Park (St. Paul)
• Delano Central Park and Splash Pad
• Harmon Park (West. St. Paul)
• Highlands Park (Cottage Grove)
• Huset Park West (Columbia Heights)
• Kelly Park (Apple Valley)
• Lagoon Park (Jordan)
• Lewis Park (St. Paul)
• Madison’s Place (Woodbury)
• Miller Park (Eden Prairie)
• Nicollet Park Commons (Burnsville)
• Oak Hill Park and Splash Pad (St. Louis Park)
• Phalen Park (St. Paul)
• Rosemount Splash Pad at Central Park
• Round Lake Splash Pad (Eden Prairie)
• Waite Park (Minneapolis)

Trains

• Minnesota Transportation Museum/Jackson Street Roundhouse (St. Paul)
• Lake Harriet Trolley (Minneapolis)
  
  
  
  
• North Shore Scenic Railroad (Duluth) – Read my review!
  
  
  
  
• Twin City Model Railroad Museum (St. Paul) – Read about our visits to see Night Trains!

Trampolines

• AirMaxx Trampoline Park & Warrior Course (St. Cloud)
• Air Insanity Indoor Trampoline Park (Rochester)
• Bounce Town (Mankato)
• DEFY Duluth (Duluth)
• Millz House (Apple Valley)
• Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park (Eagan)
  
  
• Sky Zone (Edina/Oakdale/Maple Grove/Burnsville) – Read about our fun there!
  
  
  
  
• Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park (Coon Rapids/Plymouth) – Read about our fun there!
• Planet 3 Extreme Air Park (Duluth) – check for discounts here!
• Zero Gravity Trampoline Park (Mounds View)

Zoos 

See above under “Animals/Zoos”

What else would you add to this list? Email me at twincitiesfrugalmom@gmail.com or comment below!

Also check out my other guides:

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