The Minneapolis- St. Paul metro area is packed full of things to do. There is always something fun going on or something to look forward to. I’ve put together a list of interesting events in the Twin Cities metro area worth checking out. Enjoy!
Apple Valley
Apple Valley is just 5 minutes from the Mall of America, and less than that to the Twin Cities Premium Outlet Mall in Eagan. It’s 20 minutes from both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Two of Apple Valley’s permanent popular features are the MN Zoo, found here, which contains the IMAX Theatre.
Bloomington
Bloomington is home to the Mall of America, found here. With 520 stores, 50 restaurants, and Nickelodeon Universe, who couldn’t find something to do?
The Bloomington Center for the Arts is located at the north end of the Bloomington Civic Plaza here. It includes two theaters, two galleries, a dance studio and rehearsal area, and art classrooms.
Eagan
If the urge to shop and eat is strong, as well as the urge to be outside enjoying some gorgeous MN weather, then the Twin Cities Premium Outlets is calling your name! It features over 100 stores, near the intersection of Highway 13 and Highway 77. It is the largest outdoor shopping center in the upper midwest. Enjoy!
Eagan also contains the largest municipal waterpark in the Upper Midwest, Cascade Bay ! Located here , this outstanding waterpark features waterslides, a lazy river, snackbar as well as a 9 hole miniature golf course. The park received WCCO’s Viewer’s Choice for Best Outdoor Waterpark!
Lebanon Hills Regional Park found here , is the largest regional park in Dakota County, boasting 2000 acres. You’ll find miles of trails and many lakes here. Dakota County is actively restoring more than 1,100 acres of prairie and forest within the Park, and planting more than 3,000 new trees.
Edina
Looking for a fantastic urban escape? Check out Centennial Lakes Park ! This 24 acre park contains more than 1.5 miles of paved pathways that meander around a 10 acre lake. Find seating areas, swinging benches and fountains throughout this beautifully landscaped sweet spot! You will also find a mini golf course, lawn bowling, paddleboat and fishing pole rental as well as ice scaking in the winter months. Located here , many restaurants are within walking distance.
Edinborough Park is the absolute place to be when the kids need to burn some energy! This completely enclosed 1 acre park features one of the biggest indoor play structures in the country, a running track, fitness room, swimming pools and a multi purpuse family play area with a bouncy house, scooters and more.
Feel like locking yourself away from the world? Check out Missing Pieces Escape Games located at 5233 Edina Industrial Blvd. Choose from 2 different rooms, players of 4 to 8 try to find the clues within the room that will lead to their escape. Ages 10-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 952-658-8974 to make your reservation.
Southdale Mall located at 66th and France Ave , is the nation’s first indoor shopping mall. It opened in 1956 and has over 120 specialty shops as well as food court and child play area.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is home to some spectacular annual events. During the gorgeous month of June, the Stone Arch Bridge Festival takes place. It’s a weekend of art and music on the riverfront. A car show, motorcycle gallery, art activites and 4 performance stages sets the tone. Over 250 artists participate! Find the directions and parking info herehere.
Art-A-Whirl happens the 3rd weekend in May and it is the largest open studio tour in the country! It’s free to the public and a wonderful opportunity to tour private studios and galleries, connect with the artists, and buy artwork. Not to mention the fantastic historical buildings you will enter! Art-A-Whirl takes place throughout Northeast Minneapolis in more than 50 different locations. Check out this page for tips on navigating through this amazing event.
Winter is not to be forgotten- and could we really forget? Come and play at the City of Lakes Loppet ! Held the last weekend in January and the first weekend in February, this urban cross country ski festival hosts people from near and far. PArticipate or spectate, the weekends are packed full of activities! Check this page for visitor information!
The Mill City Museum is a great time no matter what time of year it is! It is easy to locate , look for the Gold Medal Flour sign on the top of the building. The flour mill was once the world’s largest. Kids of all ages enjoy this museum, especially the Flour Tower to the upper levels. Call 612-341-7556 to make reservations.
Love yoga? If you are a novice or an expert yogi, you are going to love Corepower Yoga’s free summer classes outdoors! Check out their
Summer Yoga Free Classes Guide , get outside and find your center. Namaste!
Richfield
Craving nature in the middle of the city? Visit Woodlake Nature Center at 6710 Lake Shore Dr. This fantastic 150 acre cattail marsh contains 3 miles of wheel chair accessible trails. Over 200 species of migrating birds can be found here, along with many other animals. Cross country skiing, shoeshoeing and ski rental availabe in the winter. Naturalists on site, interpretive building houses exibit the wildlife found typical of the area. Free unless part of a Naturalist-led activity.
Come see the oldest home in Richfield! The Bartholomew House is across Lyndale Ave from Woodlake Nature Center. It is a donation based, volunteer run museum. The home was built in 1852 and is intact today, along with many items from the original and subsequent families that lived in it.
Rosemount
Roseville
St. Paul
The Wabasha Street Caves is a must see if you are anywhere in the area! You’ll find them here . Enjoy walking tours, which includes either a 40 minute historic cave tour or a one hour long lost souls tour. Also offered are Bus tours, Swing Nights on Thursdays, and a restaurant. Call to make your reservations and prepare for an outstanding time!651-224-1191
You can’t miss the Minnesota State Fair ! For 10 days each year at the end of August through Labor Day, hundreds of thousands come to enjoy the food, games, exhibits, concerts, animals and camping! Located at 1254 Snelling Ave So. , it is rated as one of the top 5 state fairs in the country!
But let’s not forget winter! St. Paul hosts the yearly Winter Carnival , held in Rice Park . Featuring 3 parades, the treasure hunt, winter run, disc golf ice bowl, ice palaces, food and drinks, you will love wiling away the winter blues here! Held the last week in January through the first week of February, most events are free or low cost unless otherwise noted on the website.
The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a free (voluntary donations happily accepted) zoo and conservatory open every day of the year. The Conservatory features numerous stunning gardens that are fantastic year round, but a real pick-me-up in the long winter months when we are craving green spaces and scents. Zoo attractions include gorillas, polar bears, flamingos, monkeys,wolves, zebras, sloths, and big cats to name just a few. Enjoy a snack at one of the food carts, the Zobota Cafe or Zooper Foods out in the zoo. This is a terrific way to spend any day!!
Near The Metro Area Have To’s:
Zip Line Minnesota offers two locations for a wild ride, Brainerd and Henderson, MN (45 minutes from Minneapolis, found here ). The Kerfoot Canopy Tour will engage you for 2.5 hours along 14 zip lines! Two trained guides take small groups on the course. The lines get progressively higher, longer and faster as you move through the course. For ages 10 and up. Call 952-873-3901 to make your reservation!