VISITING Minneapolis–St. Paul · The Twin Cities
Visiting Minneapolis–St. Paul with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
The Twin Cities work for a family trip because there are two easy bases. St. Paul has the Children’s Museum, Como Zoo and the History Center, and Minneapolis has the Sculpture Garden and Central Library. Here’s how we’d spend one or two days with a nap in the middle.
Top 5 can’t-miss spots
#1Downtown St. Paul
Minnesota Children’s Museum
The first-morning pick in St. Paul. Go at opening and leave the stroller in the car if you can.
Kids $17.95–$19.95Under 1 freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2St. Paul
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Go early and add the conservatory if it’s cold.
Free
See it in the guide→
“the fact that they're at least there and providing that public service and making it for free is a nice thing. And it's great for families”
#3Apple Valley
Minnesota Zoo
Give it a full morning and leave for nap.
Kids $19.95Adults $25.95
See it in the guide→
#4St. Paul campus
Bell Museum
Late afternoon is the quietest time, which makes it a good after-nap stop.
Kids $12Adults $152 and under freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#5Dayton
Eastman Nature Center
A nature center with trails in the northwest suburbs.
Free
Official site→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in Twin Cities
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGMinnesota Children’s MuseumArrive at opening · Downtown St. Paul · $17.95–$19.95 kidsNAPLunch in downtown St. Paul, then back for nap.
AFTER NAPComo Park Zoo & ConservatoryFree admission · St. Paul · FreeIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGMinnesota ZooGo early · Apple Valley · $19.95 kids, $25.95 adults
LUNCHRainforest CafeMall of America · Mall of America · Kids’ meal ~$9–$10NAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPBell MuseumQuietest late afternoon · St. Paul campus · $12 kids, $15 adultsWhere to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
BEST FOR FIRST-TIMERSDowntown St. PaulClose to the Children’s Museum and the History Center, with Como Zoo a short drive away.Near Minnesota Children’s Museum, Minnesota History Center and Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
FOR MINNEAPOLISDowntown MinneapolisClose to the Central Library, with the Bell Museum a short drive east.Near Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central Library and Bell Museum
FOR A ZOO-AND-MALL BASEBloomingtonNear the Mall of America and a short drive to the Minnesota Zoo.Near Minnesota Zoo and Richardson Nature Center
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Twin Cities.
Downtown St. PaulMinnesota Children’s MuseumA whole morning of indoor play.Kids $17.95–$19.95Under 1 freeIndoorSt. Paul campusBell MuseumA full morning indoors.Kids $12Adults $152 and under freeIndoor
Downtown MinneapolisHennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central LibraryFree and warm, with space to sit and play.FreeIndoorBefore you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Parking
Minnesota Children’s Museum: Use the skyway-connected World Trade Center ramp at Wabasha and W 7th St. It’s $7.50 for 3 hours with the museum’s validation.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: Several on-site lots plus street parking. A free seasonal shuttle runs on busy days.
Minnesota Zoo: $10 per car, paid with your tickets.
Bell Museum: Paid surface lot (UMN Lot 103) off Larpenteur Ave. Credit cards only.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: Several on-site lots plus street parking. A free seasonal shuttle runs on busy days.
Minnesota Zoo: $10 per car, paid with your tickets.
Bell Museum: Paid surface lot (UMN Lot 103) off Larpenteur Ave. Credit cards only.
Strollers and accessibility
Minnesota Children’s Museum: Strollers are allowed, but some galleries ask you to leave them at the door.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: No stroller rentals, so bring your own.
Minnesota Zoo: Strollers rent for $12 single or $18 double.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: No stroller rentals, so bring your own.
Minnesota Zoo: Strollers rent for $12 single or $18 double.
Changing tables
Minnesota Children’s Museum: Changing stations are in every restroom except the single-stall ones on the first floor.
Minnesota Zoo: A full-size changing table in the First Aid Office, plus family restrooms.
Minnesota Zoo: A full-size changing table in the First Aid Office, plus family restrooms.
Best times to beat the crowds
Weekday mornings are the calmest bet at every stop. At the zoos, go at opening and plan to leave around nap.
Skyways in winter
The World Trade Center ramp is on the downtown St. Paul skyway, so you can reach the Children’s Museum without going outside.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in Twin Cities
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
Downtown St. PaulMinnesota History CenterFree on Thursday evenings.Free Thursday eveningIndoorDowntown MinneapolisHennepin County Library, Minneapolis Central LibraryFree, with books, a children’s area and no ticket to buy.FreeIndoorDaytonEastman Nature CenterFree, with exhibits and short trails.FreeBloomingtonRichardson Nature CenterFree, with exhibits and short trails.FreeThis week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Minneapolis–St. Paul. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#15:30–11pm (Fri–Sat until midnight)
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo
Thousands of glowing carved pumpkins along a nighttime zoo trail, and under-3s are free.
Adults $23–$30
Hours, food & parking→
#210am–4pm
Beavers and Botanicals at the Bell Museum
Build a beaver puppet, see a “Rodent Revue” of specimens and peer inside fruits and flowers with plant X-rays.
Included with admissionIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
#3Thu 6–6:30pm
Pajama Storytime with Drake Callender (Sun Ray)
Come in pajamas for an evening storytime with special guest Drake Callender.
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
#410am–6pm
Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze
A corn maze plus a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, inflatables, corn pits, a straw bale maze, giant slide, kids’ train ride, magic shows and live music, all on one ticket.
$20 all-inclusive
Hours, food & parking→
#5Sat 11am–12pm
Saturday Vibe: Puppet Storytime (George Latimer Central)
A puppet storytime for the whole family.
FreeIndoor
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting Minneapolis–St. Paul with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Minneapolis–St. Paul kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Minneapolis–St. Paul guide lists 20 places we checked for little kids, plus 8 free places and 7 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 3 easy restaurants near the big stops and free storytimes at 4 library systems. This week’s list has 30 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Minneapolis–St. Paul and this weekend’s list.
What’s the best area to stay in the Twin Cities with toddlers?
Downtown St. Paul is the easiest base. The Children’s Museum and History Center are there, Como Zoo is a short drive, and downtown Minneapolis is a short ride.
How many days do you need in the Twin Cities with little kids?
Two days covers the Children’s Museum, a zoo, the Bell Museum and a nature center. With one day, do Como Zoo in the morning and the Children’s Museum after nap.
Do you need a car in the Twin Cities with a toddler?
Yes for the zoos and nature centers. The downtown St. Paul stops are walkable from a downtown hotel.
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