teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 18:57:46 GMT -6
We have limited vacation time this summer and are coming up with ideas for quick trips. Minneapolis has come up. I've never been to Minneapolis, there seems to be stuff for kids, and MH is super into beer and there looks to be a lot of breweries. That's about all I know, and I was hoping I could get some info! Thoughts?
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2017 19:07:30 GMT -6
So many breweries! And a ton of them kid friendly. Is CestLaVie here? She came to MSP on a family vacay last summer. ETA: I hope I'm remembering her s/n properly.
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Post by briarrose on Jun 13, 2017 19:08:47 GMT -6
How long are you there for? How old are your kids? Valley Fair is a fun theme park if the weather is nice.
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hawkward
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Post by hawkward on Jun 13, 2017 19:08:53 GMT -6
Prepare to be pissed at Minnesota drivers. They're the worst!
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2017 19:08:57 GMT -6
teatime let me reply tomorrow on desktop. Are you looking for places (or areas) to stay? Things to do? Foods to eat? How old are kids?
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2017 19:09:18 GMT -6
Prepare to be pissed at Minnesota drivers. They're the worst! get the fuck out of here, IOWAN
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 19:13:54 GMT -6
How long are you there for? How old are your kids? Valley Fair is a fun theme park if the weather is nice. 2-3 days, and they're young but have done theme parks. I'll look it up!
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 19:15:39 GMT -6
teatime let me reply tomorrow on desktop. Are you looking for places (or areas) to stay? Things to do? Foods to eat? How old are kids? Places to stay and things to do definitely. I feel like I'd have to take the kids to see whatever the crayola thing is at the mall unless it's terrible. Mine are young- not school age yet. We're thinking July if that changes anything. I'm always here for food recs!!
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2017 19:18:12 GMT -6
Skip valleyfair for young kids.
We went to Crayola this winter and had fun for ~2 hours. It's expensive but also fun, so I'm slightly positive on it. I can see if I can find you the discounted ticket link I used when we went.
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brux
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Post by brux on Jun 13, 2017 19:19:44 GMT -6
I say skip valleyfair because of the cost alone.
DS and I have been a few times including a couple weeks ago, but it's $$$ and it'll be hot and sunny and I'm just meh on spending all that money to be miserable unless kids are really asking+wanting to go.
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Post by CestLaVie on Jun 13, 2017 19:22:32 GMT -6
that's me! we went for a long weekend in September and had a great time! Here is what we did: - Mall of America (super briefly) - Surley Brewing Co: we still talk about the hot frites we had there. Amazing. and very kid friendly. Huge inside and a big outside part too with green space. - Minnehaha Park and hike (there are waterfalls). We rented the 4 people bikes but unless you are and are with a super athlete, trust me haha skip that. THE HILLS. -Albertville Outlets - tons of shopping. we did lots of Canadian touristy things that probably don't interest you as much haha. Some highlights - trying Chipotle, Popeyes chicken, Outback, target, Williams-Sonoma. We basically drove there to eat and drink for 4 days. This was the main idea of our weekend
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 19:25:46 GMT -6
Skip valleyfair for young kids. We went to Crayola this winter and had fun for ~2 hours. It's expensive but also fun, so I'm slightly positive on it. I can see if I can find you the discounted ticket link I used when we went. I haven't looked into Crayola much but if we end up going this route I'll def take the link. My house consistently looks like the kids craft aisle of Michaels so I think my kids would love it.
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 19:26:35 GMT -6
CestLaVie I'm big on vacation eating Why the mall super briefly? I have no idea what to expect.
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Post by CestLaVie on Jun 13, 2017 19:28:28 GMT -6
CestLaVie I'm big on vacation eating Why the mall super briefly? I have no idea what to expect. We just wanted to relax nothing against the mall but we didn't have much shopping money anyway and the kids were 1 and 4 so it seemed like more work than it was worth haha.
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Post by briarrose on Jun 13, 2017 19:31:31 GMT -6
If you are baseball people and brave with your little ones you could catch a Twins game. I could be totally wrong on this, but when we were there we couldn't find any kids play area at all though, and that was a bummer for when DS was restless.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 19:47:05 GMT -6
Prepare to be pissed at Minnesota drivers. They're the worst! Screw you hawkward!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 19:54:05 GMT -6
I would avoid the Children's Museum because it's just reopened and it'll probably be bonkers.
+1 to Minnehaha Falls. There is a fabulous playground and free little pool there, a restaurant with beer in addition to the falls and walking trails.
Surly is the ideal brewery/restaurant for kids. There are also a good number of breweries down by the Twins stadium.
Finally, downtown Minneapolis by the river is great. Mill City Museum, a farmer's market, Stone Arch Bridge, go out on the balcony at the Guthrie Theater, run around Gold Medal Park and get ice cream at Izzy's.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 19:54:48 GMT -6
Oh and the Walker Art Center just reopened the sculpture garden.
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 19:59:55 GMT -6
@rocksforludo thank you! I'll be checking these things out.
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Post by madamewaffles on Jun 13, 2017 20:12:19 GMT -6
Prepare to be pissed at Minnesota drivers. They're the worst! get the fuck out of here, IOWAN Yeah! Haven't you heard why trees lean south here? Because Iowa SUCKS! #badjoke
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Post by madamewaffles on Jun 13, 2017 20:22:36 GMT -6
If the kiddos like animals, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is fun. There is also a small amusement park within.
The Science Museum of MN just opened a Science of Pixar exhibit.
What kind of restaurants are you looking for? The food scene is hopping. There are so many options!
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Post by holachica on Jun 13, 2017 20:27:54 GMT -6
Sweeeeeeet thread timing! We're going to Minneapolis at the end of July since H's good friend from college moved back there and hosts a yearly party on the last Saturday of the month.
Twins are not playing the weekend we are going, but we're planning to stay in that area to be walking distance to lots of stuff/breweries (friend lives north of the city). We are going to go to Surly (Abrasive is one of my favorite beers) and Minnehaha falls.
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teatime
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Post by teatime on Jun 13, 2017 21:02:59 GMT -6
If the kiddos like animals, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is fun. There is also a small amusement park within. The Science Museum of MN just opened a Science of Pixar exhibit. What kind of restaurants are you looking for? The food scene is hopping. There are so many options! They love animals. And the Pixar thing sounds great too. As far as restaurants go, they'd have to be kid friendly. Aside from that, I'm always down for trying new things!
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fatpony
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Post by fatpony on Jun 13, 2017 21:24:56 GMT -6
Plus, Como Zoo is free!
The St. Paul Saints (minor league baseball) is a more fun and less expensive option.
There's a festival somewhere around the cities nearly every weekend - especially county fairs starting mid-late July!
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auburn
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Post by auburn on Jun 13, 2017 21:27:23 GMT -6
I am now greeting email offers for trips to Minneapolis. I am suspicious.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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sweetpea
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Post by sweetpea on Jun 13, 2017 21:34:47 GMT -6
Ah this thread makes me want to move back. Also, hawkward, what's the best thing to come out of Iowa? I-35
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Post by luvmyirishtwins on Jun 13, 2017 21:48:25 GMT -6
My H's family is up there so we go at least twice a year. To piggy back off CestLaVie Surley is a great brewery. If you're into beer I suggest Lift Bridge as well. We always spend time at the MOA. The theme park is fun for the little kids. Also, there is the crayola area, and there is Underwater world. If you're willing to drive a bit I highly recommend going to Hudson, WI or Stillwater, MN. My husband's family lives is Stillwater. Lift bridge brewery is from there. You can do ferry rides with brunch or dinner on the St. Criox. It is beautiful. Stillwater has a million parks. Teddy Bear park is my favorite. I have heard amazing things about the Science museum and this is on our list this summer.
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adelbert
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Post by adelbert on Jun 13, 2017 23:45:22 GMT -6
I love going home with the kids- there is so much to do!
People have posted a ton but the Children's museum is normally good if you don't go at the peak times (not at opening or 1-4 in the afternoon). But if the weather is nice I would spend all my time outside. Como park is great and my kids love the activity area.
There are also so many cool areas downtown and on the river that are cool for exploring and for being out and about with the kids, and lots of good food. Plus most places are child friendly.
If you only have a few days you could do tons of different activities just staying in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
I'm going to come back to this thread later and post all of our favorites activities and locations.
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fatpony
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Post by fatpony on Jun 14, 2017 5:28:55 GMT -6
It is the superior city. 😂
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mmarie
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Post by mmarie on Jun 14, 2017 5:59:01 GMT -6
I'm gonna plus whatever to como zoo. I can't compare it to mn zoo because I haven't been there in years but como is a nice zoo, it's free, and they have the little amusement park (I'm not sure how much the things in the amusement are price wise)
Also the teddy bear park is good if you want to drive a little ways. I've never been but it's my cousins kids (age 5) favorite.
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