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 13+ years of blogging here, 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?

Thank you to Jessica Meyer for her contributions 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, some of these listings may be either temporarily closed or operating at reduced hours/capacity. Be sure to 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!

NEW Interactive Spreadsheet

After I posted “The Ultimate List of Minnesota Family Fun” it was so helpful to one reader that she created an interactive spreadsheet version of it and sent it to me! She also added some more regional information.

Thank you to Elizabeth Goskesen for putting this spreadsheet together!

You can search the spreadsheet by city/region, or by type of attraction, or name.

Click here to open in a new window!

To use it:

Click on the down arrow in each column OR right click on each column to sort A to Z or Z to A.

To search for a specific attraction or anything else in the spreadsheet, hold “Control” & “F” to open the “Find” window, and search in that.

Works best on a desktop computer.

If you are viewing on your phone, it helps to download the Google Sheets app.

The Ultimate List of Minnesota Family Fun

(Last updated: September 2023)

Amusement Parks/Arcade

• Adventure Zone (Duluth)
• Arcade Arena (Roseville)
• The Burrow (Oakdale) – see my Reel from our visit!
• Can Can Wonderland (St. Paul)
• Como Town (St. Paul)
• The Fun Lab (Blaine)
• Grand Slam Family Fun Center (Coon Rapids)
• Jump 4 Fun Indoor Amusement Center (Alexandria)
  
  
  
  
• Nickelodeon Universe (Bloomington)
• Paul Bunyan Land (Brainerd)
• Starcade (Roseville)
  
  
  
  
• Valley Fair (Shakopee) – Get discounted tickets via my link!
• Wow Zone (Mankato)
• 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)
  
  
• Sustainable Safari in Maplewood Mall (Maplewood)  Read my review!

Art

• Artistic Me (Buffalo)
• ARTrageous Adventures (Minneapolis)
• Color Me Mine (Eagan/Maple Grove/Woodbury)
  
  
  
  
• Crayola Experience (Bloomington) 
  
  
  
• Kari’s Create and Paint Studio (Stillwater) – Read my review!
• 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 and Mall of America/Bloomington)
• 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

• Pump it Up (Eden Prairie)
• Up North Bounce House (Brainerd)

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 
  
  
  
  
• Snapology (Minneapolis) – Read about my son’s birthday party there!
• Snapology (Plymouth) – Read about our summer camp experience!
  
  
  
  
• 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
  • $2 off for military families
    
    
• 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)
• Pinehaven Farm (Wyoming) – use my exclusive discount!
• Pleasant Valley Orchard (Shafer)
  
  
• Severs Corn Maze and Fall Festival (Shakopee) – Read one review of our visit!
  
  
  
  
  
• Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Corn Maze/Twin Cities Spring Babies Festival (Brooklyn Park) – Read about our visits!

Cooking (for Kids)

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

Escape Rooms

• The Escape Game (Bloomington) – check here for current deals!

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 $50! (Discount valid for Minnesota location only.)
• iFly Indoor Skydiving (Minnetonka) – Check here for current deals!

Ice Cream

• Adele’s Frozen Custard (Excelsior)
• Cup and Cone (White Bear Lake)
• Cullens Ice Cream (Champlin and Coon Rapids) 
• Grand Ole Creamery (St. Paul/Minneapolis)
• Milkjam Creamery (Minneapolis)
• MN Nice Ice Cream (Minneapolis/Stillwater)

• Nelson’s Ice Cream (Stillwater/St. Paul) – HUGE portions here! Read my review!
• Schoolhouse Scoop (Hastings)
• Sebastian Joe’s (Minneapolis-2 locations)
• Selma’s (Afton) 

Indoor Playgrounds

• Backyard Indoor Playground (Golden Valley) 
• The Blast (Eagan) 
• Eagles Nest (New Brighton) 
• Edinborough Park (Edina) 
• Giggle Factory (Hudson) 
  
  
  
  
• Good Times Park (Eagan) – Read my review here.
• InnerActive (Minnetonka/Mounds View) 
• K.U.B.E. Kids Ultimate Backyard Experience (Plymouth)
• Lookout Ridge (Woodbury)  
• Millzhouse (Apple Valley) 
• MiniSota Play Cafe (Maple Grove) 
• Playground Plaza (Maple Grove)
• Prairie Playzone (Eden Prairie) 
• Rainbow Play Systems (Bloomington) 
• Shenanigans Indoor Playground (Alexandria)
• Tropical Adventure (Shoreview) 
• Turf Tots (Hopkins)
• Williston Treehouse (Minnetonka) 

Library/Book Stores 

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

• Brookdale Library (Brooklyn Center) (pictured above)
• Brooklyn Park Library 
• Minneapolis Central Library
  
  
  
  
• Red Balloon Bookshop (St. Paul)
• R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)
• 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)
• Ridgedale Mall (Minnetonka)
• 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)
• Marcus Theatres (multiple locations)
• New Hope Cinema Grill
• Riverview Theater (Minneapolis) 
• Stages Theatre Company (Hopkins)
  
  
  
  
• St. Michael Cinema (St. Michael) – read about our visits!
• Vali-Hi Drive-In (Lake Elmo) 

Museums/History

• Alexander Ramsey House (St. Paul) 
• American Swedish Institute (Minneapolis)
• Bakken Museum  (Minneapolis)
• Bell Museum (Falcon Heights) 
• Children’s Museum of Southern MN (Mankato)
• Duluth Children’s Museum
• Glensheen Mansion (Duluth)
• Firefighters Hall and Museum (Minneapolis) – open during limited times
• Folsom House (Taylors Falls) 
• Fort Snelling (St. Paul)
• Hormel Historic Home (Austin)
• International Wolf Center (Ely)
• Mill City Museum (Minneapolis) 
  
  
  
  
• 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 or save $20 off a membership. 

  • Just go to mcm.org and use my code TCFM to save $3 off per ticket, or get $20 off a membership. Or mention my code/discount in-person.
  • 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/
    
    
• Minnesota History Center (St. Paul) 
• National Eagle Center (Wabasha)
• North American Bear Center (Ely)
• Otter Cove Children’s Museum (Fergus Falls)
• Paisley Park (Chanhassen)
  
  
• Science Museum of Minnesota and Omnitheater (St. Paul) – read about our visit
• Sibley History Sites (Mendota)
• Soudan Underground Mine (Ely)
  
  
  
  
• SPAM Museum (Austin) – Read about our visit here!
• 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
  • $2 off for military families

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) – read about our visit here
• Theodore Wirth Quaking Bog (Golden Valley)
• Westwood Hills Nature Center (St. Louis Park)

Open Gymnastics

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

Parks

• Abdella Memorial Park (St. Paul Park)
  
  
  
  
• Assembly Union Park (St. Paul) – read about our visit
• Bossen Field Park (Minneapolis) – read about our visit
• 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)
• Keewaydin Park (Minneapolis) – read about our visit
• 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) – read about our visits
• North Loop Playground (Minneapolis)
• Oak Hill Park (St. Louis Park)
• Pioneer Park (Stillwater)
• Plymouth Creek Park
• Ravine Park (Cottage Grove)
• Schaper Park (Golden Valley)
  
  
  
  
• Shoreview Commons Destination Playground (Shoreview) – read about our visits
  
  
  
  
• 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)
• Shakopee Community Center (Shakopee) (Indoor)
• 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)
• Keewaydin 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

• Cheap Skate (Coon Rapids) – Sign up for FREE skating for kids!
• Roller Garden (St. Louis Park)
• Skateville (Burnsville)
• Skatin’ Place (St. Cloud)

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)
• Mounds View City Hall Park (Mounds View)
• 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) – check for discounts here!

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:

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)