Christmas Lights in Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN's best Christmas light displays include City of Edina - Edinborough Park ($10), Crayola Experience ($30.99), FlyOver America ($23.99), and Uptown Theater ($20-75). Most displays run from late November through early January, with peak crowds on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Free zoo. Not a typo. Como Zoo is genuinely free and the polar bear exhibit is legit.
1225 Estabrook Dr, Saint Paul, MN 55103 · Daily 10am-4pm (winter), 10am-6pm (summer)
Russia's Grizzly Coast, a tropics trail, and a Minnesota-specific exhibit. 20 minutes south of downtown.
13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, MN 55124 · Daily 10am-4pm (winter), 10am-6pm (summer)
Your kid names and wraps their own crayon. 25+ hands-on activities. Free on your birthday.
300 South Ave, Bloomington, MN 55425 · Mon-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm · Ages 3–10
Flight simulation ride. You hang suspended and fly over national parks. About 10 minutes. Kids love it.
5000 Center Ct, Bloomington, MN 55425 · Daily, hours vary — check MOA schedule · Ages 4+
53-foot waterfall inside city limits. Free. Playground, wading pool, disc golf, and bike rentals.
4801 S Minnehaha Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55417 · Daily 6am-10pm
Five connected lakes with beaches, bike paths, canoe rentals, and free wading pools. This is what summer in Minneapolis is.
3000 E Calhoun Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55408 · Parks open 6am-10pm
24 free outdoor ice rinks across the city. Free loaner skates at most locations. This is Minnesota.
Multiple locations citywide · Daylight to 9pm, weather permitting
Indoor ice rink. $5 open skate. $3 skate rentals. When it's -15 outside but your kid still wants to skate.
600 Kenwood Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Facility open 7am-10pm, open skate hours vary
One full acre of indoor playground. Also has a pool, running track, and amphitheater. All indoors. Because Minnesota.
7700 York Ave S, Edina, MN 55435 · Mon-Thu 9am-8pm, Fri-Sat 9am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm · Ages 1+
Jungle-themed indoor playground for $6. Same building has an indoor waterpark. Ages 1-10.
4580 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126 · Check Shoreview Community Center for current schedule · Ages 1–10
Downtown park with a playground, wading pool, and direct walking bridge to the Sculpture Garden.
1382 Willow St, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · Daily 6am-10pm
Kiddie amusement park right next to the free zoo. Rides are $2-4 each. Perfect for the under-8 crowd.
1301 Midway Pkwy, Saint Paul, MN 55103 · Daily 10am-6pm (summer), weekends only spring/fall · Ages 1–8
11 miles of enclosed, heated, second-floor walkways connecting 80 blocks. Free to walk. January survival mode.
Downtown Minneapolis (multiple entrances) · Most sections Mon-Fri 6:30am-10pm, reduced weekend hours
1916 movie theater with original ornate details — reopened 2023 with modern sound
2900 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408 · Show nights, check schedule
53-foot waterfall in the city — free year-round, frozen ice formations in winter
4801 S Minnehaha Dr, Minneapolis, MN 55417 · Daily 6am-10pm