More details easily available with creative “Googling” (e.g., city chamber of commerce)
RESOURCES
SUMMER FUN & GETAWAYS
(or go to www.exploreminnesota.com) Henn. Co. Parks Seasons magazine Mpls.-St. Paul Magazine: Summer Fun Issue (May or June) Exploring the Twin Cities with Children by Elizabeth French EXPEDITIONS Real train rides: Minn. Zephyr & Day Out With Thomas (www.minnesotazephyr.com) Holiday Inn: Owatonna, indoor water park 507-446-8900 Lanesboro MN: camp in town on the lakeshore (cheap); Bike trails Singing Hills Bike Trails: near Maiden Rock MN Duluth: great for families, LOTS to do, contact Chamber of Commerce; Best Western Edgewater has new water park at north end of town overlooking the lake; train museum and great library for rainy days, huge playground by the lake, tours of iron-ore boats, zoo, boat tours of harbor, aquarium, lots of great hotels at Canal Park by the Aerial bridge (Hampton Inn especially family-friendly) and much more Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria: all the comforts of a Radisson with boats, pools, golf, tennis, day-camp, fishing Walnut Grove, Minn.: Little House on the Prairie Museum NEARBY FUN Wayzata Trolley: park at any stop-- Wayzata Beach, Toy World, Depot, etc. (www.wayzatachamber.com/town_trolley.html) Wayzata Beach: swim, play, then walk to Ben and Jerry’s! Como Zoo Minnesota Zoo Sculpture Garden (near Walker Art Center) Luce Line: shady, narrow, walking or strollers Fireworks: lots of events all summer, virtually every weekend; check Sun. paper Puppet Shows (travels to parks): www.ci.plymouth.mn.us Libraries: many special events, series www.hclib.org/BirthTo6 Wild Rumpus : Children’s book store in Linden Hills (2720 W. 43rd St., Mpls.) includes live animals; unique! Mpls. Institute of Arts Minn. Arboretum: Chanhassen Big Stone Mini-golf: Minnetrista Theodore Wirth Park: bird sanctuary, walking paths, bike paths St. Croix Railway: Miniature train rides for kids, Hudson WI (www.mtmuseum.org) 651-228-0263 Elm Creek Park Reserve (Three Rivers Park System) man-made lake Lake Minnetonka Regional Park: Hwy 7 & 41, huge playground, sandy beach, clean, zero-grade shore St. David’s Playground: Hwy 7 in Mtka., open to public after 6:00 pm weekdays & all day weekends; unique equipment, sand and water structures
Memorable Getaways in the Upper Midwest by Beth Gauper 8 Days Out: every week in Sun. StarTrib Explore Minnesota Sun. StarTrib supplement in May
St. Louis Park: Oak Hill Park (water park) Minnetonka Drive-In: 394 west to Co. Rd. 15, towards Mound; eat corn dogs, malts, root beer floats in your car! Light Rail: take it to Mall of America Train Museum in St. Paul: at Bandana Square; huge miniature train layout; kids free, adults $3 Noerenberg Park: beautiful flower gardens, gazebo; sit and read book in gazebo or on benches Plymouth Ice Arena: great place on a hot day; bring sweatshirts, gloves and bike helmets; rent skates (www.ci.plymouth.com) Edinborough Indoor Park: for hot or rainy days, in Edina at 7700 York Ave., 952-832-6790 Gale Woods Farm: 7270 Co. Rd. 110, Minnetrista; hay rides, animals, etc. (Three Rivers Park System) 763-472-9203 Retro: in Loretto, 50’s style fun for kids; ice cream & coffee Minn. Transportation Museum: trolley rides at Lake Harriet & Excelsior, boat rides, St. Paul, Mpls., and more www.mtmuseum.org 651-228-0263 Edina Art Center: art classes for kids in summer Minnetonka Art Center: art classes for kids in summer Corcoran Lions Park: off 116 & County Rd. 10, west on County Road 10 Mound Drive-In Theatre: watch movies in your car, the old fashioned way! Pump It Up: open gym Wed. & Thurs. am (call to confirm hours) French Park play area, beach, trolley from car to beach Peppermint Twist Drive-In: Delano on Hwy 12, great play area SPECIAL EVENTS Henn. Co. Fair: July, old-fashioned fair, State Fair without the huge crowds! Wayzata Kids parade: 4th of July Minnetonka Festival: June? Delano: great 4th of July celebration and parade Annandale: great 4th of July celebration and parade Hopkins Raspberry Festival: great parade; June? Plymouth Music in the Park and fireworks; usually around July 4 (www.ci.plymouth.mn.us) Day Out With Thomas: real Thomas the Train rides (www.thomasandfriends.com) Maple Grove Days: fireworks & parade, mid-July Parkers Lake Kids Concerts (www.ci.plymouth.mn.us) Stages Theatre productions, located in downtown Hopkins Putt-Putt Golf at Centennial Lakes in Edina TIPS FOR SMOOTHER SAILING Portable potty in the car First aid kit Don’t forget sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, water, snacks, blanket, camera, sun or rain umbrella, balls, frisbees Stroller, wagon or and backpack for tired legs Sturdy shoes (not sandals)