Memorial Day weekend is here and the weather is supposed to be nice for most of it here in the Twin Cities!
So here I put together a list of activities in the Twin Cities, if you’re staying in the area! To be weather-wise, I separated events by whether they’re OUTDOOR and INDOOR.
Outdoor Events
ALL WEEKEND
Minneapolis Wading Pools and Water Parks open Saturday.
Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Snelling. Over Memorial Day Weekend, explore the grounds and engage with the many stories that make up this location’s history. Included with site admission of $12 adults, $10 seniors, veterans/active military, college students, $6 ages 5-17, free age 4 and under, Native Americans, and MNHS members free. (NOTE: This is a great place for limited income families to get discounted admission!)
Memorial Day Weekend at The Landing. Shakopee. Meet Civil War veterans and learn how Memorial Day began in 1868 as “Decoration Day” to honor Union soldiers who died. A formal “Decoration Day” ceremony with brass band is held on Monday at 2 PM.
$8 ages 18-64
$5 ages 2-17 and 65+
Children under 2 free.
Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, May 25th
Member Celebration (Free Admission!). 10:00am – 4:00pm. Gibbs Farm: Pathways to Dakota & Pioneer Life, 2097 Larpenteur Ave W, Falcon Heights. Join the Gibbs Museum for a very special day with RCHS & Gibbs Farm as they open our site for the season and celebrate and thank all of their members, supporters and friends, and introduce new guests to Gibbs Farm! Bring your friends & family – and prospective members – help them reach their yearly membership goals!
31st Annual Kiwanis Kite Fly. 12:00 – 4:00pm. Louisiana Oaks Park, 3520 Louisiana Ave. S., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. Pack a picnic lunch, bring your lawn chairs and watch the kites take flight. Or, bring your kite and fly it with members of the Minnesota Kite Society. Free kites for kids while supplies last. The event is for all ages. Free, no registration required.
Sunday, May 26th
Animal Feeding Program. 11:00am. Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley. Have you ever wondered how snakes eat, what’s for breakfast when you’re a turtle? This is the program for you.Watch our exhibit animals enjoy a delicious meal while a naturalist explains their feeding behaviors and taste preferences. Experience the predator-prey relationship in front of your eyes! Free, donations welcome. (Indoor/Outdoor activity)
Pond Dakota House Open House. Bloomington. 1:30 – 4:00pm. Tours of the Gideon and Agnes Pond house will highlight the deep friendship, family ties, and collaboration in ministry which Dr. Thomas S. Williamson and the Pond brothers shared for more than 45 years, beginning when Dr. Williamson first met the brothers in late May of 1834. Free but $2 suggested donation. (Indoor/Outdoor activity)
Monday, May 27th
Memorial Day Celebration. Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis. 10:30am. Lakewood honors honor Memorial Day by remembering the sacrifices of those who have served our country. The day will begin with a ceremony to honor veterans at 10:30 a.m. and continue in the afternoon with free history tours, exhibits and music. Free and open to the public.
Break Bread Free Lunch at Cafe Racer Kitchen. 11:00am. Cafe Racer,
2929 E 25th St, Minneapolis. Every month, as a way to give back and connect with our community, we give away lunch for free. No questions, no strings attached. We run on volunteers and donations. Please spread the word — everyone could use a free lunch from time to time.
Memorial Day Powwow. Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, 43411 Oodena Dr., Onamia, MN 56359. 12:00 – 5:00pm. Bring the family and join museum staff and community members In this social gathering honoring veterans past and present. Experience firsthand the excitement and joy of a contemporary powwow. (Free – museum admission is not included.)
Memorial Day Animal Show. Eastman Nature Center, Osseo. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Touch turtles, snakes, and salamanders, and learn why they’re special. Drop in anytime. Children 17 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult. (Indoor/Outdoor activity)
Opening Concerts of Music & Movies in the Parks. Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis. 5:30pm. Come join us for a night of live music, beer and food trucks at Lake Harriet. Monday, May 27th is the launch of their 2019 season of Music in the Parks featuring more than 280 FREE music and movie events throughout the Minneapolis Park System. Don’t miss a night of dancing to great local music, Sawyers Dream performs from 5:30-7 pm and Rubber Soul-Tribute to The Beatles perform from 7:30-9 pm at Lake Harriet Band Shell. View the full summer schedules.
Indoor Events
Saturday, May 25th
Opening Day: Rube Goldberg™: The World of Hilarious Invention! Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul. Step into the role of illustrator, storyteller and inventor in this new exhibit that celebrates Pulitzer Prize winning humorist and inventor Rube Goldberg™. Presented locally by Comcast. This hands-on exhibit features authentic 3D recreations inspired by original Rube Goldberg illustrations and introduces audiences to the creative processes behind his imaginative machines. Visitors will activate and create crazy chain-reaction contraptions that use everyday objects to complete simple tasks in over complicated and hilarious ways. The exhibit will be open through Sunday, Sept. 8. Don’t forget to use my discount code “TCFM” to save $2 per ticket every day online!
Crayola Experience Mall of America 3rd Birthday Celebration!
The Crayola Experience at the Mall of America is celebrating their 3rd birthday with a party this Saturday, May 25th, 2019! There are special activities, giveaways, free popcorn and more all day – there’s even a cupcake decorating class! You can get the LOWEST-PRICED tickets for the Crayola Experience birthday celebration AND EVERY OTHER DAY through my special link, year-round! They’re $13.99 through my link (regular price is $21.99 – it recently went up from $20.99 but my price stayed the same!). You won’t find them cheaper anywhere else! (Reminder: Kids 2 and under get in FREE every day.)
- 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!
- Tickets are valid for up to a year from purchase date.
Grand Opening Celebration! 12:00 – 4:00pm. Code Ninjas (Shakopee MN)
1667 17th Ave. E, Suite 107, Shakopee. Bring the family! Meet and greet with our team, owners and Senseis! Enjoy STEM stations, finger foods, treats, drinks, & PRIZES! 🙂
Soda Fountain Grand Opening Weekend! May 25 – 27. 11:00am. Blue Sun Soda Shop, 1625 County Highway 10, Spring Lake Park. Blue Sun Soda Shop will finally be opening our Soda Fountain! All Weekend long we will have it open and be serving up treats for everyone! This Party will be all weekend long! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday! Soda Fountain will be open from 11AM till 6 PM each day.
Sunday, May 26th
Minnesota Remembers! Mall of America. 11:00am – 4:00pm. Please join us on Sunday, May 26 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for a Memorial Day celebration in the Rotunda featuring live music entertainment, Nestle Tollhouse cookie giveaways, red, white + blue themed face painting, meet + greets with our Security K9s, and many more fun activities!
Soda Fountain Grand Opening Weekend! May 25 – 27. 11:00am. Blue Sun Soda Shop, 1625 County Highway 10, Spring Lake Park. Blue Sun Soda Shop will finally be opening our Soda Fountain! All Weekend long we will have it open and be serving up treats for everyone! This Party will be all weekend long! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday! Soda Fountain will be open from 11AM till 6 PM each day.
Monday, May 27th
Minnesota Children’s Museum is open today from 9:00am – 5:00pm.
Don’t forget to use my discount code “TCFM” to save $2 per ticket every day online!
Soda Fountain Grand Opening Weekend! May 25 – 27. 11:00am. Blue Sun Soda Shop, 1625 County Highway 10, Spring Lake Park. Blue Sun Soda Shop will finally be opening our Soda Fountain! All Weekend long we will have it open and be serving up treats for everyone! This Party will be all weekend long! Saturday, Sunday, and Monday! Soda Fountain will be open from 11AM till 6 PM each day.
Memorial Day Thrift Store Sales – Monday, May 27th, 2019
Now’s a great time of year to stock up on affordable clothing for the kids (and yourself) and other goods!
Arc’s Value Village – 50% Off Storewide! Sale is storewide, excluding orange and white tag merchandise. Saint Paul: Sunday, May 26th 10AM – 6PM and Monday, May 27th 9AM – 7PM. Richfield, New Hope, and Bloomington: Monday, May 27th 9AM – 7PM. Village Rewards Preview Day is Sunday, May 26th 10AM – 6PM (NOTE: previous Rewards program ended 3.31.19; sign up BEFORE Memorial Day weekend to earn a $10 Reward!)
Goodwill and Second Debut – All weekend, 5/25 – 5/27, save 50% storewide! More details here.
Savers and Unique Thrift Stores – They have not announced a sale as of this posting, but check back as they have a 50% off sale every Memorial Day.
If you have another thrift store near you, be sure to check out their own specials and hours!