101 Family Day Trips and Staycations Around the Twin Cities
**Follow each link to get details about your visit directly from your destination, since some places operate seasonally or by reservation, as well as to check each venue's COVID requirements (masks, limits, social distancing).
Free activities and splurges that are worth it. The coolest stuff for a staycation in town and road trips for less than a tank of gas from Minneapolis-St. Paul. Kids Out And About has tons of ideas for family travel, with places to explore, learn, and have fun around the Twin Cities!
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Take A Deep Breath In the Garden
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Rowley Creek Lavender Farm (Baraboo, WI) |
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Lyndale Park Rose Garden |
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Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden |
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Ordway Japanese Garden |
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Arneson Acres |
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Noerenberg Gardens |
Get Wild on a Hike
Time Travel Today
Make Life a Beach
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Lake Nokomis Main Beach |
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Lake Harriet Park Beach |
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Cedar Lake Point Beach |
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Nelson Lakeside Park |
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Green Lake Saulsbury Beach |
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Lakeside Park - Bayport |
Splash into Some Water Fun
Spend the Day at a Museum
Explore These Cities
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Duluth |
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Stillwater |
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Taylers Falls |
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St Cloud |
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Mankato |
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Shakopee |
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Bemidji |
All Aboard Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Boats!)
Grow Some Fun at the Farm
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Anoka County Farms |
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Applewood Orchard |
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Eveland Family Farm |
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Waldoch Farm |
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Tom's Pumpkin Farm |
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Pleasant Valley Orchard |
Play Ball!
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Minnesota Wild Game |
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Minnesota Vikings Game |
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Minnesota Lynx Game |
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Minnesota Timberwolves Game |
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Minnesota Twins Game |
Treat Yo' Self
Connect with Nature
Amuse Yourself at These Amusement Parks
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Valleyfair |
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Como Town |
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Nickelodeon Universe |
Talk to the Animals
Explore the Globe Close to Home
Let's Go Chasing Waterfalls
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St. Anthony Falls |
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Minnihaha Falls |
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Vermillion Falls |
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Hidden Falls |
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Willow Falls |
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Wolf Creek Falls |
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Minnemishinona Falls |
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Minneopa Falls |
Get Active Indoors
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Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground |
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Edinborough Park |
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Good Times Park |
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Vertical Endeavors |
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Grand Slam |
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Can Can Wonderland |
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Blainbrook Entertainment Center |
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West St. Paul Ice Arena |
Challenge Yourself
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Minnesota Museum of American Art |
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Minnesota Orchestra |
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Granite Peak |
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Kerfoot Canopy Tours |
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Sandy Creek Adventures |
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Stand Up MN |
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Silver Creek Paddle |
Shop Your Heart Out
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Mischief |
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Lark Toys |
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Hub Hobby |
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Kiddywampus |
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Wild Rumpus |
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Choo Choo Bobs |
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Red Balloon Bookshop |
Limiting our list to 101 ideas meant some great destinations may have been left off the list - if there is something you’d like to see added, email our publisher Debra Ross!
Most of these destinations are within an hour from the Twin Cities area. For those that are a bit farther away:
= Less than 1 hour away
= 1 to 2 hours away
= 2 to 3 hours away
= Just over 3 hours away