Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around the Twin Cities - 2022
Best Places to Take Kids in the Twin Cities - 2022
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Twin Cities'
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here on KidsOutAndAbout.com... check out the calendar on our home page, visit the Everything That's Free page, and sign up for our FREE weekly e-newsletter!
1. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
One of the last FREE zoos in the United States, Como is home to a wide array of animals and plants and welcomes visitors 365 days a year. Located right next to Como Town Amusement Park, Cafesjian's historic carousel, and Como Park, the Zoo and Conservatory are great fun for visitors of all ages.
2. Minnesota Zoo
You “herd” right! Llamas have come to the Minnesota Zoo. This summer walk among free-roaming llamas as part of the Minnesota Zoo’s special summer 2019 Llama Trek exhibit. While you’re there, explore miles of outdoor and indoor trails, discover more than 500 species of animals that call the Minnesota Zoo home, and learn about the Zoo’s conservation efforts around the world. Created by the State of Minnesota in 1978, the Minnesota Zoo has spent the last 41 years working to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.
3. Tamarack Nature Center
Tamarack Nature Center is a 320-acre preserve in White Bear Township. Play, learn and explore year-round!
4. Dodge Nature Center
With four metro locations in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Cottage Grove, Dodge Nature Center provides nearby, easily accessible nature experiences for your whole family. Trails are free to walk, 365 days a year. Bring your children to explore woods and ponds, view wildlife, see animals on a sustainable farm, and pollinators on the prairie. Sign up online for nature programs and camps for kids.
5. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Twin Cities area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
6. Science Museum of Minnesota
Located in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota is the Upper Midwest's must-see, must-do museum.
7. Afton Apple Orchard
We have 225+ beautiful acres producing delicious Minnesota grown strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and 15 different varieties of apples that can be picked or bought by our customers at the peak of perfection. Huge corn maze in the fall!
11. Elm Creek Park Reserve
It's like the backyard of your dreams. Elm Creek park offers miles of hiking & biking trails, a chlorinated swim pond, an off-leash pet exercise area, Chalet, snowmaking in the winter for tubing, cross-country skiing & snowboarding and so much more.
12. Bunker Beach Water Park
Bunker Beach is Minnesota's largest outdoor water park. Located just minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul, we are your destination for summer fun in the sun!
Bunker Beach now features six towering waterslides, a 900’ lazy river, leisure pool with climbing wall, a zero-entry pool with water play structure, a creative sand play area, and as always, Minnesota’s largest wave pool.
13. Minnesota Children's Museum
At Minnesota Children's Museum, children will have a blast discovering an exciting, immersive world that arouses their curiosity, increases their understanding, and ignites an appreciation for learning.
19. Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area
Play, dig, plant, learn, create and explore Ramsey County’s best nature play area! Conveniently located in Tamarack Nature Center’s back yard, Discovery Hollow lets you run wild in nature!
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is one of the leading comprehensive fine-art museums in the country located in a beautiful landmark building near downtown Minneapolis. With over 90,000 artworks, Mia’s collection includes art from six continents, spanning about 5,000 years. Plus, enjoy free general admission and a drop-in Family Center with kid-friendly books and toys! Current museum hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm, and Thursday, 10am-9pm.
Top STEM Educator: Dodge Nature Center
With four metro locations in West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, and Cottage Grove, Dodge Nature Center provides nearby, easily accessible nature experiences for your whole family. Trails are free to walk, 365 days a year. Bring your children to explore woods and ponds, view wildlife, see animals on a sustainable farm, and pollinators on the prairie. Sign up online for nature programs and camps for kids.
