This Weekend in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Lowry Hill

11 acres, 40+ sculptures, open 365 days. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is here — 50-foot spoon holding a 1,200-pound cherry that works as a fountain in summer. Free. Right next to the Walker.

Chain of Lakes

Uptown / Southwest Minneapolis

Five connected lakes (Harriet, Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska, Isles, Cedar, Brownie) with paved paths, public beaches, kayak and paddleboard rentals, fishing docks, playgrounds, and free wading pools. Lake Harriet Bandshell has free concerts all summer. The bike paths loop the entire chain. Winter brings cross-country skiing and ice fishing. This is the thing that makes Minneapolis families stay.

Chain of Lakes

Uptown

Five lakes connected by 28 miles of paved trail. Bike, run, swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard. Free summer concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Beaches at Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet. All free to access.

Minneapolis Skyway System

Downtown Minneapolis

Not technically a kid activity, but 11 miles of enclosed, climate-controlled skyways connecting 80 blocks of downtown Minneapolis. Free. In January when it's -10, this is where you go to let a toddler walk without freezing. Connects to the Central Library, shops, food courts, and Target. Some parents use it as a stroller loop. No judgment.

Stone Arch Bridge

Mill District

2,100-foot granite pedestrian bridge from 1883 — the only stone arch bridge ever built across the Mississippi. Free to walk. Views of St. Anthony Falls, downtown skyline, and Mill City ruins. Best at sunset.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Como (St. Paul)

Completely free zoo and conservatory, open 365 days a year. Polar bears, gorillas, giraffes, seals, and a tropical conservatory with orchids and ferns — all free. Sparky the Sea Lion show in summer. The Visitor Center has a gift shop and cafe. Donations appreciated but not required. The conservatory alone is worth a winter visit when you haven't seen a green plant in four months.

Chain of Lakes

Uptown

Five lakes connected by 28 miles of paved trail. Bike, run, swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard. Free summer concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Beaches at Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet. All free to access.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

Como (St. Paul)

Completely free zoo and conservatory, open 365 days a year. Polar bears, gorillas, giraffes, seals, and a tropical conservatory with orchids and ferns — all free. Sparky the Sea Lion show in summer. The Visitor Center has a gift shop and cafe. Donations appreciated but not required. The conservatory alone is worth a winter visit when you haven't seen a green plant in four months.

Lake Harriet Bandshell

South Minneapolis

Free outdoor concerts all summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Bring a blanket, sit on the grass facing the lake. Swim at the beach after, or walk the 2.7-mile lake loop.

Northeast Minneapolis Art Crawl

Northeast Arts District

Third weekend of May, hundreds of artists open their studios for free. Live music, food trucks, pop-up galleries, free shuttle between buildings. Year-round, the NE arts district does First Thursday openings.

Pryes Brewing Company

North Loop

Brewery on the Mississippi with river views, fire pits, and Adirondack chairs. Royal Dansk golden ale and Miraculum IPA are the popular picks. Full food menu. Family-friendly with a kids' area.

Bell Museum

St. Paul (U of M campus)

Minnesota's official natural history museum on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. Stunning wildlife dioramas, a planetarium (combo tickets available), and the Touch & See Lab where kids can hold real bones, pelts, and specimens. Under 3 free. Smaller and less crowded than the Science Museum, which is sometimes exactly what you want with a toddler.

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Uptown / Lowry Hill

11-acre outdoor sculpture garden, free and open daily from 6am to midnight. The Spoonbridge and Cherry is the iconic photo op but there are 40+ sculptures to wander through. Flat paths, stroller-friendly, and genuinely interesting for kids who like weird art. Adjacent to the Walker Art Center (free first Saturday and free Thursday nights). Combine with Loring Park next door for a full morning.

Como Park

Como (St. Paul)

Como Park is more than the zoo. Free outdoor pool (summer), paddleboat rentals on Como Lake, a Japanese garden, picnic areas with grills, disc golf, a historic streetcar, and playgrounds. You can easily spend an entire day here between the zoo, the conservatory, Como Town rides, and the park itself. Free parking. Pack a lunch and stay all day.

Tropical Adventures Indoor Playground

Shoreview (suburb)

Jungle-themed indoor climbing apparatus with slides, caves, tunnels, and a big toddler area. $6 per child, ages 1-10. Stadium seating for parents who want to sit and watch. Same building has the Tropics Indoor Waterpark (separate admission). A solid cheap option when the weather is terrible, which is frequently.

Walker Art Center

Lowry Hill

Contemporary art museum adjacent to the Sculpture Garden. Free first Saturday of every month and free Thursday nights from 5pm. The WAC Open Studio offers drop-in art-making activities for families. Rotating exhibitions keep it fresh. Not every kid will love contemporary art, but the ones who do will remember it. Combine with the free Sculpture Garden for a full visit.

Walker Art Center

Lowry Hill

13,000+ works of modern and contemporary art. Free every Thursday 5-9pm and first Saturday of each month. Kids 18 and under always free. Rooftop terrace has downtown views and connects to the Sculpture Garden next door.

Paisley Park

Chanhassen (20 min from Minneapolis)

Where Prince recorded Purple Rain. 65,000 square feet of studios, soundstages, and memorabilia. Three tour tiers. 20 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. Tours only — book ahead, they sell out.

Chain of Lakes

Uptown

Five lakes connected by 28 miles of paved trail. Bike, run, swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard. Free summer concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Beaches at Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet. All free to access.

Can Can Wonderland

St. Paul (adjacent)

Every mini golf hole is a different art installation. Also: retro arcade, self-serve beer wall, full bar and kitchen. In a former can factory in St. Paul, 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Goes 21+ at 9pm Fri-Sat. Kids 5 and under free.

Mill City Museum

Mill District

Built into the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill. The Flour Tower ride moves you through eight floors of the original ruins. Rooftop deck has Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge views. Kids 4 and under free.

Walker Art Center

Lowry Hill

13,000+ works of modern and contemporary art. Free every Thursday 5-9pm and first Saturday of each month. Kids 18 and under always free. Rooftop terrace has downtown views and connects to the Sculpture Garden next door.

Paisley Park

Chanhassen (20 min from Minneapolis)

Where Prince recorded Purple Rain. 65,000 square feet of studios, soundstages, and memorabilia. Three tour tiers. 20 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. Tours only — book ahead, they sell out.

Chain of Lakes

Uptown

Five lakes connected by 28 miles of paved trail. Bike, run, swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard. Free summer concerts at the Lake Harriet Bandshell. Beaches at Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet. All free to access.

Can Can Wonderland

St. Paul (adjacent)

Every mini golf hole is a different art installation. Also: retro arcade, self-serve beer wall, full bar and kitchen. In a former can factory in St. Paul, 10 minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Goes 21+ at 9pm Fri-Sat. Kids 5 and under free.

Mill City Museum

Mill District

Built into the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill. The Flour Tower ride moves you through eight floors of the original ruins. Rooftop deck has Mississippi River and Stone Arch Bridge views. Kids 4 and under free.